What's your critical path management strategy?

💡 In any project, there are activities or micro-projects that have a greater impact on the progress of the project than other activities, which CPM represents. ↕ In all industries and projects, there are presuppositions that are correct in 70% of the time regarding the project planning process, and according to them, the critical paths of the project can be identified and managed. ⚠ But it is not always the case that all the critical paths are predictable, and in monitoring the operational process of the project and analyzing the situation in the milestones, parts that were considered normal before may become the critical and vital path of the project due to various reasons.

Critical Path Management (CPM) identifies the essential tasks driving a project's timeline. It uncovers the interconnected path where delays ripple through the project, impacting completion. By highlighting these critical tasks, CPM enables precise prioritization, risk mitigation, and dynamic resource allocation, transforming project execution into a strategic endeavor. Through CPM, project management transforms from a reactive exercise into a proactive art form, ensuring synchronization with business objectives while balancing quality and efficiency.

Critical Path Management (CPM) is a project management technique that helps project managers identify and manage the most critical tasks in a project. CPM works by breaking down a project into a series of tasks, each with its own start and end date, duration, and dependencies on other tasks. Dependencies define the relationships between tasks, such as whether one task must be completed before another task can start. The critical path is the longest sequence of tasks in a project. Any delay to a task on the critical path will delay the entire project. Therefore, it is important to identify and manage the critical path tasks carefully.

Determine tasks that could delay the project if postponed.Arrange tasks in the correct order with dependencies. Predict how long each task will take.Find the longest chain of dependent tasks.Recognize tasks with slack time that can be delayed. Continuously oversee critical task progress and take corrective actions. Examine how delays in non-critical tasks impact the project. Explore ways to shorten the schedule without sacrificing quality. Address risks that could affect critical tasks with mitigation plans. Keep stakeholders updated on critical path changes. Create backup plans for potential critical path issues. Modify the schedule to reflect actual progress as needed. Ensure resources are available when critical tasks are scheduled.

One point that I think We can keep in mind, slacks are especially useful when dealing with exceptions or variances in the project schedule. Some examples of how slacks can support the schedule: Accommodating Unexpected Delays: If an activity experiences an unforeseen delay, the presence of slack allows us to accommodate this delay without affecting the project deadline. As long as the delay does not exceed the activity's total slack, the project deadline remains intact. Resource Prioritization: If limited resources are available and we need to prioritize activities, understanding slack can help us choose which activities to delay the least to optimize resource allocation.

⬇My simple method for finding CPM for small projects: 1️⃣Naming activities with a specific letter or code 2️⃣List activities with related time in the table 3️⃣Sorting activities based on pre-requirement and post-requirement 4️⃣Draw a diagram with a start and end point 5️⃣Stacking the dominoes of the activities in order of completion between the starting and ending points 6️⃣Connecting activities without prerequisites to the starting point 7️⃣Connecting activities without subsequent activities to the end point 8️⃣Checking domino paths between start and end 9️⃣Determining the longest paths (CPM) Of course, in large and complex projects, a large part of this process can be processed and performed in software such as Microsoft Excel,MSP and P6

Once you have the critical path identified it will be helpful to plan and prioritize the critical activities and the associated risks accordingly. Tracking project critical tasks effectively will give project manager more clarity everyday on any delays he/she could encounter in the project. Project core team need to be made aware of the critical activities so that they they carefully plan the critical activities and their dependencies not to miss the timeline. We can use Gantt chart to visualize the critical path, and track and share the status to the stakeholders accordingly. For small project critical path method alone can we used to successfully complete the project.

The challenges of employing Critical Path Management (CPM) stem from its inherent complexity and the need for precision in task estimation. Inaccurate assessment of task durations or dependencies can lead to misleading conclusions, impacting overall project alignment. Moreover, the focus on the critical path might overshadow other tasks, creating potential risks elsewhere in the project. Constant vigilance is required to balance this focus, and to adapt to changes, delays, or unexpected risks, without losing sight of the broader project objectives. The dynamic nature of CPM demands both a strategic overview and meticulous attention to detail, making its effective implementation an intricate art.

Regularly monitoring the progress of activities along the critical path is critical. This helps identify potential delays early enough to allow for corrective action, avoiding impacts to the project deadline. Resource Management and Risk Identification are essential in CPM. An improper allocation of resources, such as insufficient manpower or a lack of materials, can negatively affect the critical path. Critical path activities are more vulnerable to risk, as delays in them directly affect the project deadline. Therefore, addressing these considerations improves project success and your time management.