Understanding the Critical Path

Project scheduling is a key task which all Project Managers must be able to plan, execute and monitor during the course of their projects. An important element of Schedule Management is the concept of critical path and how it can influence the timely completion of a project. Understanding the concepts of the critical path and being able to confidently identify the activities that drive the project completion date is immensely important.

How You Will Benefit

Students who complete this training will receive a basic understanding of the critical path and how it can provide a timeline or duration for the project based upon the activities. Additionally, insights are provided for how to effectively allocate resources during project planning and execution. Optimum ways to shorten the overall flow time of the schedule and improving project performance are discussed.

What You Will Learn

In this course you will learn key concepts of critical path management, including:

• Understanding what it is, its purpose and the benefits it provides
• Interpreting the data and information displayed on the critical path
• Using the critical path as a means to better manage projects
• Putting content from A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK® Guide) into practice

Who Should Attend

This course is intended for individuals with basic project management experience in schedule management looking to increase their understanding of how use the critical path to help better carry out projects.

Format

Video-on-demand; includes 6-months digital access to all training materials.

Duration / PDU Value

This course has been approved by PMI for 1.5 PDUs.

Outline

Introduction

• Course Overview
• Definition of Critical Path and Why it is Important

Identifying the Critical Path

• Challenges to Applying the Critical Path
• Prerequisites and Key Definitions
• How to Determine the Critical Path
• Three Ways to Identify the Critical Path

Adjusting the Critical Path

• How to Make Adjustments to the Critical Path
• Resource Leveling and Smoothing
• Fast Tracking and Crashing
• Caveats Regarding Adjustments

Using the Critical Path to Manage a Project

• Ways to Display the Critical Path
• How to Use the Critical Path to Manage a Project
• The Critical Path’s Relationship to the PMBOK® Guide

Conclusion

• Final Thoughts
• Summary