Notes on Critical Path

Method
EM416/EA302
What is network planning?

• Network planning is a technique that is helpful in planning, scheduling and controlling

projects that consist of many interrelated activities.

• There are a few approaches in Network planning;

1. program evaluation and review technique (PERT),
2. critical path method (CPM),
3. precedence programming method (PDM) and
4. the graphical evaluation and review technique (GERT).

All make use of network diagram.

 Explain why techniques such as Critical Path
Method (CPM) is important in project planning
and management.

• CPM is important in project planning and management because

the technique helps management decide on the most critical path
to ensure the efficient execution of the projects with least delay
and the most optimum deployment of resources and costs.
 The two formats of a network diagram

• Activity in the box: where each activity is represented by a

box in the network diagram. The description of the activity is
given in the box including the activity time to execute.

• Activity on the arrow: The activity is represented by an

arrow where the activity description is written above the
arrow. The tail of the arrow indicates the start while the
head denotes the completion. Activities are linked by circles
called events.
 (i) dummy activities, (ii) Loops and (iii) Laddering
• Dummy activities. In the AOA format these are activities which consume zero
time. Represented by a dashed arrow. They are needed for two reasons; to
help in the unique identification of activities and to show precedential
relationships which otherwise cannot be shown.

• Loops. Illogical relationship among activities known as a loop. This is not

allowed in a network diagram.

• Laddering. Some projects have a set of activities that are repeated several
times. Laddering is used to diagram this type of project so that the project can
be completed in the shortest possible time while making the best use of
resources.
•
 The steps in preparing a network diagram
• Select the format to be used, AIB or AOA.
• Start drawing the activities in their logical sequence.
• Ask the following three questions for each activity:
• Which activities must be finished immediately before can start this
activity?
• Which activities can be done concurrently with this?
• Which activities cannot be started until this activity is finished?