The Critical Path Method (CPM) is a project modeling technique used to plan tasks that must be completed in a job. The CPM is used for the Construction Project for Buildings because of its simplicity ( Montazeri, 2017 ). Using the critical path method will assist in achieving and delivering the project on correct time. Doing this can help in the preparation and the resource planning of the project ( East, 2015 ). The creation of the Critical path for the project was first made by analyzing the documents and elements required to complete the project in the Work Breakdown Structure. All activities carried out by the project designers, contractors, suppliers, subcontractors, and project managers were taken into account in the creation of the critical path.
The critical path was constructed by considering the work of project managers, project constructors, and equipment suppliers. Activities carried out by project constructors would take the longest time and formed the project’s critical path. The activities included initiation, design, site inspection, actual construction, and equipment installation. Activities carried out by the managers included defining the project scope, assessment of project status, risk management of the project, and a final project audit. Suppliers for materials used in the construction was included in the construction. The critical path for the project was created as shown in figure 1 below
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The critical path for accomplishing the project was identified by the steps 1-2-5-8-10-12 and it would take 10 months. This was given as Critical path: Initiation (2weeks), Design (1 month), Site Inspection (1 month), Actual construction (6 months), Equipment Installation (2 months), and Final Audit (2weeks). The entire project was estimated that it would take 10 months.
One issue with the critical path is that activity duration and estimation could have omissions and uncertainty. The uncertainty in those activities may affect the completion time of the project. Additionally, the project includes there are some activities which could get omitted in the critical path. Steps to reduce omissions and failure of the critical path could involve a keen following of the Work Breakdown Structure. The PERT chart can be used in case of uncertainty in the time required for completing some activities.
PERT chart
The Project Evaluation and Review Technique (PERT) is a method used to evaluate and analyze project tasks. PERT gives a complete analysis of all the tasks required to complete the project and includes an analysis of the time required to complete every task ( Kerzner and Kerzner, 2017 ). PERT was created to facilitate the planning of projects that are huge and complex. It is applied to projects that are large, complex and non-standard ( Nafkha, 2016 ). It allows for the design of projects of projects even in the presence of uncertainty of project completion. It takes into account the uncertainty and allows the development of the project schedule without necessarily having the precise information on the time and details required to complete it.
Information needed
The information required to create the PERT chart will include the activities included in the work breakdown structure and the time required to complete the various sections. From the work breakdown structure, the activities which will be required will include the specific activities in various phase of the project which include initiation, planning, execution, control and monitoring, and closure (Newton, 2015; Minnesota & Wisconsin Department of Transport, 2009).
Additionally, the PERT chart would require an estimation of the time required to complete various phases of the project. When estimating the activity time, the time requirements will be divided into optimistic time, most likely time, and pessimistic time. The optimistic time will provide the shortest time required to complete the activity in case everything goes as planned. The most likely time will include the time which the activity is normally expected to be complete given normal contingencies. The pessimistic time will give the time taken to complete the activities in case of difficulties and things go wrong.
Steps taken to complete the PERT chart
The PERT chart is first constructed by taking into consideration the specific activities and milestones required to complete the project. A proper sequence of activities required to complete the project is then identified. The network diagram for the entire project will then be constructed. An estimation of the time required for every activity will then be analyzed. The critical path for the completion of the project will be identified to find the time that will be taken to complete the project. The PERT chart will then be updated as the project progresses.
References
East, E. W. (2015). Critical Path Method (CPM) Tutor for Construction Planning and Scheduling.
Kerzner, H., & Kerzner, H. R. (2017). Project management: a systems approach to planning, scheduling, and controlling . John Wiley & Sons.
Minnesota & Wisconsin Department of Transport, (2009). Project Management Plan: retrieved from http://www.dot.state.mn.us/metro/projects/stcroix/pdfs/st_croix_pmp_1-15-09.pdf
Montazeri, B. (2017). Comparing Critical Chain Project Management with Critical Path Method: A Case Study.
Nafkha, R. (2016). The pert method in estimating project duration. Information Systems in Management , 5 (4), 542-550.
Newton, P. (2015). Principles of Project Management: retrieved from http://www.free-management-ebooks.com/dldebk-pdf/fme-project-principles.pdf
