


Any project with interdependent activities can apply this method of mathematical analysis. Ĭritical path analysis is commonly used with all forms of projects, including construction, aerospace and defense, software development, research projects, product development, engineering, and plant maintenance, among others. The precursors of what came to be known as critical path were developed and put into practice by DuPont between 19 and contributed to the success of the Manhattan Project. Kelley attributed the term "critical path" to the developers of the PERT, which was developed at about the same time by Booz Allen Hamilton and the U.S. Kelley and Walker related their memories of the development of CPM in 1989. The CPM is a project-modeling technique developed in the late 1950s by Morgan R. A critical path is determined by identifying the longest stretch of dependent activities and measuring the time required to complete them from start to finish. It is commonly used in conjunction with the program evaluation and review technique (PERT).

The critical path method ( CPM), or critical path analysis ( CPA), is an algorithm for scheduling a set of project activities. Activity E is sub-critical, and has a float of 1 month. The project has two critical paths: activities B and C, or A, D, and F – giving a minimum project time of 7 months with fast tracking. PERT chart for a project with five milestones (10 through 50) and six activities (A through F).
