Step 7: Determine the Critical Path
The critical path in project management refers to the sequence of schedule activities that determine the entire duration of a project.
It represents the longest path through the project, consisting of every activity that must be completed from start to finish. Identifying the critical path is crucial because it helps prioritise and delegate tasks, ultimately shaping the overall project timeline.
Any delay to a critical path activity will directly delay the project completion date. Activities not on the critical path have float — a buffer of time before they affect the end date.
This topic is covered in full detail in
Module 2: Critical Path Explained
Module 2 covers the CPM in depth — including technical terms, the forward and backward pass, float, CPM software, longest path vs. critical path, and who owns the float.
Go to Module 2: Critical Path Explained →Continue through the remaining steps of Module 1 to complete the planning process — then work through Module 2 for a thorough grounding in CPM theory and practice.