What is the Critical Path Method (CPM)? PM in Under 5 minutes

The video tutorial explains the critical path method, a project management technique developed in the 1950s. It compares this method with the PERT method, highlighting differences in representation and estimation. The tutorial outlines a six-step process to apply the critical path method, emphasizing its use in project planning and monitoring. It also discusses the concept of float and resource management, and compares the critical path method with Gantt charts, noting that both are different ways to represent the same project information.

Who were the developers of the Critical Path Method?

• Albert Einstein and Niels Bohr

• Henry Gantt and Frederick Taylor

• Booz Allen and the US Navy

• Morgan Walker and James Kelly

What is the primary difference in how PERT and CPM represent activities?

• Both use nodes for activities

• PERT uses arrows for activities, CPM uses nodes

• PERT uses nodes for activities, CPM uses arrows

• Both use arrows for activities

How many point estimates does the CPM use for activity durations?

• A single point estimate

• Two point estimates

• Three point estimates

• No estimates

What is the first step in applying the Critical Path Method?

• Specify each activity

• Draw the network diagram

• Identify the critical path

• Estimate activity durations

What does the term 'float' refer to in project management?

• The number of resources available

• The shortest path through the network

• The ability to delay an activity without affecting the project completion

• The total duration of the project

What is a common alternative to the Critical Path Method for project managers?

• Histogram

• Flowchart

• Gantt chart

• PERT chart

What is the relationship between a Gantt chart and a CPM network diagram?

• They are two different representations of the same information

• A Gantt chart is a type of CPM diagram

• They are unrelated tools

• A CPM diagram is a type of Gantt chart