Take the Path that is Really Critical - article

Take the Path that is Really Critical - article

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The traditional CPM has its place, but for most organizations it is time resources be fully recognized as part of the formula. In resource-loaded schedules, high over-allocations may force the project manager to extend the schedule in order to accommodate the resources. This creates Total Slack numbers on some activities that do not represent real a real buffer to compensate for slippages and the traditional Critical Path Method produces a path that may not drive the schedule finish date. Instead, organizations should identify the Resource-Critical Path in such schedules that looks at logical and resource dependencies in their schedules. The Resource-Critical Path is the path that is really critical because:

  • The Resource-Critical Path is the true path that drives the project end date.
  • When crashing a schedule, workload problems may be created if one's only focus is on the Critical Path instead of the Resource-Critical Path.
  • A small change may lead to a big slippage (domino-effect) in the resource dependencies; One cannot realize this if you only look at logical dependencies.
  • There is a huge cost involved with erratic workloads; the Resource-Critical Path allows you to smooth workloads.