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SEPTEMBER 26, 2017 BY ATUL GAUR PMP

Critical Path Analysis Solved Example 

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Schedule Network Analysis Example

Project scheduling tools like MS Project generate critical path with utmost ease. However, it is
necessary to understand the critical path analysis calculations. Understanding basic concepts of
critical path analysis not only help project managers but also assist pmp certification
aspirants. Moreover, solving a critical path analysis example problem also improves knowledge of
CPM technique.

Today, Critical Path Method (CPM) is the most popular schedule network analysis
technique. Therefore, this post demonstrates steps in critical path analysis with a solved example
using critical path method technique.
 Table of Contents 
1. Critical Path Analysis Definition
2. Critical Path Analysis Schedule Network Diagramming Techniques
3. Critical Path Method Example With Solution
4. Step – 1 : Calculate the total number of paths and their duration.
5. Step – 2 : Indicate the Critical Path
6. Step – 3 : Perform Forward Pass on Critical Path
7. Step – 4 : Perform Backward Pass on Critical Path
8. Step – 5 : Perform Forward Pass on Activities Not On Critical Path
9. Step – 6 : Perform Backward Pass on Activities Not On Critical Path.
10. Step – 7 : Calculate Total Float
11. Step – 8 : Calculate Free Float
12. Conclusion

Critical Path Analysis Definition

Critical path analysis is the process of identifying the longest path in a schedule network diagram.
The analysis not only indicates completeness of project schedule but also ascertains degree of
scheduling flexibility. Moreover, critical path analysis also reveals the minimum duration required
to complete a project.

Critical path analysis also specifies link between project activities. It is important to realize that not
all activities can start and finish on time. Hence critical path analysis specifies permissible delays to
activities that are not on critical path. Thus schedule flexibility is the permissible delay that does not
affect project completion date.

Critical Path Analysis Schedule Network Diagramming Techniques

The first activity of critical path analysis is to draw a schedule network diagram. The critical path
analysis uses Precedence Diagram Method (PDM) to construct the schedule network. Further,
PDM method uses Activity-on-Node (AON) diagramming technique to represent the schedule
logic. In AON the nodes represent the schedule activities. Most of the scheduling programs use
PDM technique to construct project network diagram. Therefore, critical path analysis example
problem uses activity-on-node method to represent the schedule network logic.

The following figure represents PMBOK nomenclature for activity nodes in precedence diagram
method.
 Precedence Diagramming Method AON Nomenclature

Critical Path Method Example With Solution

To understand the critical path analysis calculation steps consider the following schedule network
diagram.
 Critical Path Analysis Example Problem

Step – 1 : Calculate the total number of paths and their duration.

The first and the most crucial critical path analysis step is to identify the critical path. To achieve
this first identify all the paths in the network. The schedule network diagram shown above has four
paths. The path with longest duration is the critical path. The following indicates description of all
the paths.

First path is Start (S) – A – D – E – End (E’) the duration of this path is 16 weeks
The second path is  S – A – E – G – E’ the duration of which is also equal to 16 weeks
The third path is S – B – C – E – G – E’ the duration of this path is 22 weeks
Fourth path is S – B – F – G – E’ the duration of this path is equal to 20 weeks

The longest path in the network above is S-B-C-E-G-E’ with a duration of 22 weeks. Hence, path S-
B-C-E-G-E’ is the critical path of the above schedule network diagram.

Step – 2 : Indicate the Critical Path

Indicate the critical path on the network diagram with a bold line. The network diagram with critical
path will look as follows
 Project Schedule Network Diagram Indicating Critical Path in Bold

Step – 3 : Perform Forward Pass on Critical Path

The next step is to calculate early start and early finish of each activity. We need to start with
activities on critical path.

Step – 3.1 : Calculate Early Start and Early Finish of activities on Critical Path.

First Node

Here, it is essential to point out that critical path analysis has two conventions for calculation. This
critical path method (cpm) example problem uses the convention that project starts on day one.

Another convention for cpm analysis states that the project starts on day zero.

However, we will stick to the convention indicated in PMBOK, which states that, the project starts
on day 1. Hence ES of first activity B on critical path is 1.

EF = ES + Activity Duration – 1
EF of Activity B = 1 + 6 – 1 = 6

Node B
 ES = EF of first node + 1 = 6 + 1 = 7
EF = ES + Activity Duration -1 = 7 + 4 – 1 = 10

Repeat the above step till you reach the last node

Once the forward pass is complete the network diagram will look as follows. The following diagram
looks different because of spreadsheet calculations. However, the schedule network logic has not
changed.

Project Schedule Network Diagram Indicating Early Start and Early Finish

Step – 4 : Perform Backward Pass on Critical Path

Perform backward pass to calculate Late Start and Late Finish.

Step – 4.1 : Calculate Late Start and Late Finish of activities on critical path

The total float of activities on critical path is zero. Hence on critical path LS = ES and LF = EF.
Therefore, no backward pass calculation for activities on critical path. Once backward pass
calculation is complete the network diagram will look as follows.

Project Schedule Network Diagram Indicating Late Start and Late Finish
Step – 5 : Perform Forward Pass on Activities Not On Critical Path
Node A

ES = 1 and EF = 1+4-1 =4

Node D

ES = 4 and EF = 16

For activities with more than one preceding activity ES is latest of the earliest finish times of the
preceding activities

When we have ES and EF of a particular node we can calculate the Total Float using the formula

Total Float = LS – ES or LF – EF

Step – 6 : Perform Backward Pass on Activities Not On Critical Path.

Node F

LF = LS of Previous node -1 = 18 – 1 = 17
LS = LF – Activity Duration + 1 = 17 – 9 + 1 = 9

Node D

LF = 22 since this is the last activity not on critical path it can finish on week 22
LS = 22 – 12 + 1 = 11

Node A

This node connects to two different activities D and E. In such conditions LF of node A is the
earliest of the latest start times of the preceding activity. In this case it is same hence

LF of node A is 11 – 1 = 10 and
LS = 10 – 4 + 1 = 7

Step – 7 : Calculate Total Float

The following formula represents total float of an activity.

Total Float = LS – ES or LF – EF

Consider the first node, Node A.

Here LS = 7 and ES =1, therefore total float of Node A = 7 – 1 = 6.

On critical path LS = ES and LF = EF hence total float is equal to zero.

Once backward pass and total float calculation is complete the resultant network diagram will look
as follows.

Critical Path Analysis Complete Project Schedule Network Diagram

Step – 8 : Calculate Free Float

For formula to calculate free float please refer to the following post

Critical Path Method Schedule Analysis

For details of schedule network analysis, please read my post.

Schedule Network Analysis Methods

Program Evaluation And Review Technique

For tools and techniques to establish logical relationships between project activities, please read
the following post.

Sequence Activities – Tools To Establish Logical Relationships.

Also read the following post for a comprehensive list of project management formulas for pmp
examination.

Project Management Formulas

Visit the following page to know more about the formulas in Critical Path Method (CPM).

PMP Formulas on the Resources page.

Take the Critical Path Method Quiz

Critical Path Method PMP Exam Questions

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Conclusion
To summarize, critical path analysis reveals network information such as critical path, total float,
and activity float. This data forms the basis for further project execution. Moreover, other
advanced schedule analysis techniques use output of critical path analysis.

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 Project Schedule Management  Analysis, Control Schedule, Critical Path Analysis, Critical Path
Method (CPM), Develop Schedule, Monitoring and Controlling, Project Management Processes, Solved
Examples, Tools and Techniques

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Atul Gaur /
January 22, 2018 at 09:01 Reply

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