In an effort to consolidate efforts and eliminate redundancies, it is often the case that it makes sense to merge, join, or otherwise combine a series or set of items. This is one example where this can be something that is considered. In regards to project management specifically, path convergence refers to the instance in which the project management team and or project management team leader represents the act of actually converging and merging and or joining a number of parallel schedule network paths into the same point, or node, on the pre-existing project schedule network diagram. Ultimately, when all is said and done, the actions of path convergence when conducted by the project management team and the project management team leader involves the act of characterizing a preexisting schedule activity into with more than one single predecessor activity. Path convergence is quite common to find as a project unfolds and it can cause for confusion if not handled carefully by the project team.
This term is defined in the 3rd and the 4th edition of the PMBOK.