| What is CPM? | | | | Put flowers in the vase |
| The CPM (Critical Path Method) is a way of organising | | | | 2) Determine sequences of tasks |
| the necessary steps to project completion. It enables | | | | If I try to do the tasks in the order that they occur to |
| you to assess task priority, resources required and | | | | me (see above) then my project will result in a mess |
| possible shortcuts. | | | | of broken eggs and burnt coffee! Before embarking |
| CPM is based on the creation of a sequence of | | | | on my project I need to put the tasks into order of |
| dependent tasks (i.e. tasks that can only be performed | | | | dependency and priority. Analysing my |
| after earlier tasks are complete). Performing Critical | | | | 3) Draw network diagram |
| Path Analysis on this sequence allows you to work | | | | A CPM network diagram illustrates the dependency |
| out possible parallel sequences (i.e. tasks that can be | | | | relationships between each tasks. I cannot fry the |
| performed simultaneously). The Critical Path is the | | | | eggs and the bacon until I have bought the ingredients. I |
| longest chain of dependent tasks required. | | | | cannot make a shopping list until I have found a recipe. |
| How much does it cost? | | | | 4) Identify the critical path (the longest chain of |
| The CPM is free to use. You can apply it to your | | | | dependent tasks) |
| project simply by following six simple steps. | | | | For example: |
| Training in CPM, covered by some project | | | | Find a recipe for hash browns > Make a shopping |
| management training courses, is a useful way of | | | | list > Buy ingredients > Make hash browns |
| getting past the basics, and CPA software is available | | | | 5) Estimate completion time |
| for more comprehensive analysis of the data. | | | | I need to work out how long each task will take me. |
| Six Simple Steps | | | | By adding up the estimated completion time for each |
| 1) Specify the individual tasks necessary for | | | | activity in the longest chain of dependent tasks, I will be |
| project success | | | | able to work out the maximum duration of the project. |
| For example: | | | | 6) Update for progress |
| Project Goal – prepare a perfect breakfast-in-bed | | | | I might have estimated that finding a vase would only |
| on Mother’s Day | | | | take me five minutes. If I discover that all of our vases |
| Necessary Tasks: | | | | are broken then I have to either increase my schedule |
| Fry the eggs and bacon | | | | and budget to allow for the purchase of a new vase, |
| Heat up the baked beans | | | | or come up with an alternative solution (like a tall glass |
| Buy a Sunday newspaper | | | | or a jug) or reduce the scope of the project and go |
| Buy flowers | | | | without the flowers. |
| Make the hash browns | | | | Updating for progress is a vital part of the CPM, as it |
| Find a recipe for the hash browns | | | | ensures that expected project duration and outcomes |
| Buy the ingredients | | | | remain viable. Even more essential, however, is risk |
| Make a shopping list | | | | assessment. If I had taken into account the possibility |
| Make a pot of coffee | | | | that there might not be any vases then I might have |
| Cook the tomatoes and mushrooms | | | | found a solution earlier on. |
| Find a vase | | | | |