Introduction
The critical path is a sequence of project network. It is a form of an algorithm for scheduling activities within a project. A critical path is usually determined through the identification of the longest chain of the dependent activities based on the time they take. The identification of the critical path involves identification of the list of activities, the time duration the identification of the dependencies between activities and the milestones required. In this study, a critical path in planning a music show is presented. It is apparent that such shows have fixed dates when they have to be executed and the resources available are also limited including time and financial resources. The project will thus have to be completed on time otherwise the show performers may not reallocate time due to their tight schedules. The performer demands substantial payment before the project is executed and hence failure to properly execute the project would result in loss of finances by the organization.
Methodology
In this section, the critical path process/method that will be used is as indicated in the diagram below
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Source: Bishnoi (2018)
As indicated above, the creation of a critical path requires a sequential arrangement that ensures that all of the critical activities are unclouded in the planning process. CPM involves forward pass and backward pass. Logical sequences for the activities are required. A network diagram is to be established which will help in the visual presentation of the project as well as showing the time taken to execute each of the tasks that are involved in the study. The duration of the project is to cover all of the activities
Analyses
Article with the most valuable information on the critical path
In this study, five peer-reviewed articled have been used. The article with the most relevant information regarding a critical path is the article by Bishnoi (2018). The critical path is presented as an important tool that is necessary for the coordination of activities involved in a project. It is applicable in all fields irrespective of the project type as long as the project has activities that have to be executed within the specified duration. Key elements of such critical paths are the activities and the nodes. Dummy activities are mainly used in the network diagram although they do not consume resources. According to Bishnoi (2018), the critical path method (CPM) was established by the US Navy in 1950. To develop a critical path, one has to list the activities that are necessary for the execution of the project, the time it takes and dependencies. A key element of critical path presented by Bishnoi (2018) is the process of r pruning the critical path. This involves the dividing of activities into shorter bones while at the same eliminating any non-critical activity from the diagram. Bishnoi (2018) also indicates a need for fast-tracking where necessary. Fast-tracking involves the execution of multiple activities in parallel. Time estimates for the activities include the earliest start time and the latest time for starting the activity. The normal completion time occurs when all resources are available. The normal time includes the scenario where activities consume the least costs possible and they are completed within the set time deadline. Crash time is mainly the earliest or minimum time required to execute an activity although it requires an increase in the level of resources. These are important points necessary ion critical path development and hence the article by Bishnoi (2018) is very relevant when it comes to the critical path.
According to Bishnoi (2018), the critical path method is used in the construction and maintenance of work. It is used as a retooling program as well as in budget planning. It is also used in tactical planning and production schedules among others. It is thus an important tool necessary for decision-making processes.
Critical path
In this study, the critical path method is used in the evaluation of activities. According to the article by Ruqaishi, & Bashir (2015), a critical path facilitates the identification of all of the critical activities that have to be executed in the organization. A list of activities necessary in planning the event is as presented below
List of activities
Raising cash to pay the artist
Raising cash to hire venue
The hiring of tents and chairs
Purchase of refreshments during the show
Preparing of tickets for those attending
Setting up the dais
Advertising the event
Contacting security detail
Installation of the music systems and lighting
Collection of ticket payments
Entertainment to attendants before the event starts
Presentation of the show
Closure of the show
Booking venue
The critical path method is employed in this study as indicated in the table and network diagram below
| List of activities | Activity code | Duration (days) | Dependencies |
| Raising cash to pay the artist | A | 2 | - |
| Raising cash to hire venue and refreshments | B | 2 | A |
| The hiring of tents and chairs | C | 3 | A, B |
| Purchase of refreshments during the show | D | 2 | B, C |
| Preparing of tickets for those attending | E | 2 | D |
| Booking venue | F | 3 | E |
| Setting up the dais | G | 2 | E |
| Advertising the event | H | 5 | G, F |
| Contacting security detail | I | 2 | H |
| Installation of the music systems and lighting | J | 2 | I |
| Collection of ticket payments | K | 2 | J, H |
| Entertainment to attendants before the event starts | L | 5 | K |
| Presentation of the show | M | 1 | L |
| Closure of the show | N | 0 | M |
Based on the above presentation, it is evident that the critical path is A,C,D,E,F,H,I,J, K,L,M,N. It is the path that has the highest number of days before the projects are executed. The implication is that activities on this path must be executed on time if the project is to be completed within the expected day of the performance. It is nevertheless worth noting that if the activities have floats, the delay may occur along the path by the entire project would end up being executed on time. This would occur if the implementation of 6 the schedule includes cases of project crashing. In crashing, more resources would be allocated in activities so that the activities are executed within a shorter time but with an increase in the level of allocated resources. The important thing is to make sure that by the time the show is to commence all the necessary preparations have been completed
The above diagram presents a critical path for the event planning processes. It has ensured that all of the critical activities have been identified and that the duration for each activity is indicated. According to Soe, & Htike (2018), project scheduling and control are key features in project management. There is a need to ensure that the duration set for executing activities is not exceeded. Time is a scarce resource and hence it should be utilized properly. The critical path creates a good understanding of the project along the project duration timeline.
The network diagram has been systematically established. It ensures that all of the activities that will be required for the successful execution of the project are identified.in project management activities are ranked based on their urgency and importance. For instance, while some activities are critical to the success of the project, they are bot urgent. Consequently, they are located towards the further end of the network program. The adoption of the network diagram has facilitated the proper presentation of the entire music show project in a manner that is easily understood
Critical activities and dependencies
Not all of the tasks involved in the project are critical. The critical path activities are those tasks that must start as well as finish on time to ensure that the project ends as per the schedule. A delay in any of the critical path activities will result in the delay of the entire project. For instance, in this case, payment to the performing artist is a critical activity is after the payment is made that the artist indicates his commitment to deliver the show and indicate the availability of the time when it will be presented. Critical activities are identified on the longest path. Float in critical path development is usually a measure of the level of schedule flexibility. Activities with zero float imply that they must start as scheduled if the project is to be executed within the right time and duration. This implies that activities that have no float should be viewed as being critical. In this particular event project, it is evident that there are activities that have a float and hence not all critical activities. For instance, the issuance of tickets may be done within a variety of time frames. This implies that such an activity is not a critical activity.
In the critical path, there are dependencies. Dependencies indicate that before the activity is started. There are preceding activities that must be completed first. There are three types of dependencies in a project. For each activity in a critical path method, it is important to identify all of the other act9ivities that must be completed before it commences. The critical path is mainly the longest path within a project. The time where the activity is delayed is the same time taken for the entire project delay. Unless project crashing is done, the project would end up being not completed as scheduled. From the presentation, it is evident that activities such as advertising w, while important they are not critical. This is because the activity can be executed at diverse stages of the project implementation process and does not have to be done at the specified point, equally, the number of days of advertising can be easily varied creating float and flexibility in the implementation of the project. Delay of advertising or carrying out advertising right from the beginning would have no major impact on the overall outcome of the show, nevertheless, it has to be done at least a few days before the show commences so that people can get aware of the event and pay for the tickets required for them to attend. Another element that makes advertising less of a dependency on the critical path is that it can be executed concurrently with the other activities. A specific time does not have to be set aside for it to be executed with no bother ongoing activities in the project. Nevertheless, activities such as the setting up of the dais are critical as no event would commence unless such presentation location is booked and the setting up of the dais completed. According to Perez, Larsen, & Crux (2018), dependency implies that for an activity to commence, the predecessor activity has to be completed. Nevertheless, the development of a network diagram is also based on the fact that if all activities or many activities are overlapped at one node, then the importance of the network diagram declines. There is a need for each activity to be presented separately so that the users of the diagram can easily understand the activities. Equally, if overlapped, it would become difficult to identify the activities in a network diagram or the Gantt chart of the activities is overlapped. According to Ballesteros-Pérez, del Campo-Hitschfeld, González-Naranjo, & González-Cruz, (2015), creating room for flexibility in the critical path is necessary, projects are executed in an environment that is characterized by uncertainty. The implication is that if there is no room for flexibility, it may not be possible to fully integrate any uncertainties that may occur in the project implementation process. It would thus be important to crash the project by increasing resources that are deployed. For instance, tasking more individuals with an opportunity to implement the project would ensure that the project is completed at a shorter time. Identifying floats and extra resources will ensure that even if there are delays, the projects are executed on time. Nevertheless, it is evident that
Conclusion
Based on the above study, a critical path method is an important approach that is used in planning. It facilitates the identification of the time that each activity will take and the various activities to be conducted during the project. Equally, the critical path method ensures that the project is met within the deadline. By having a network diagram, it becomes easy to identify the project activities and their durations at glance. The study indicates that a critical path method is applicable in virtually every industry where a list of activities has to be done within a specified period. The critical path method facilitates better management of projects in an entity. While projects are executed in an environment characterized by uncertainties, it is evident that project crashing and proper identification of floats will enable the organization to execute tasks on time.
References
Ballesteros-Pérez, P., del Campo-Hitschfeld, M.L., González-Naranjo, M.A., & González-Cruz,
M.C. (2015). Climate and construction delays: a Case study in Chile. Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management, 22(6), 596-621.
Bishnoi, N., (2018). Critical path method (CPM): A coordinating tool. IRJMST. 9(1), 2348-9367
Ruqaishi, M., & Bashir, H.A. (2015). Causes of Delay in Construction Projects in the Oil and Gas Industry in the Gulf Cooperation Council Countries: A Case Study. Journal of Management in Engineering, 31(3), 5014017.
Perez, P., Larsen, G, & Crux, G. (2018). Do projects end late? On the shortcomings of the classical scheduling techniques. Journal of Technology and Science Education, 8(1), 17-33
Soe, P., & Htike, T. (2018). Critical path analyses programming method without network diagram. MATEC Web of Conferences 192 (1), 1-12
