Critical Path Analysis

This unit from the Continuing Mathematics Project is the first of two units on Critical Path Analysis (CPA). The broad objective of this unit is for students to become familiar with the diagrammatic conventions and with some of the terminology used in CPA.

The first half of the unit is devoted to exposition and illustration of the method of CPA. The second half is devoted to the simulation game 'Circumbendibus'. This game is designed to consolidate understanding of CPA, and to provide motivation for further study.

The more specific objectives are that students will:
(i) understand how a complicated project can be illustrated in diagram form by a 'network' of 'jobs' and 'events';
(ii) recognise the symbols in a network which represent a job and an event;
(iii) understand the concepts of jobs done in succession and jobs done simultaneously, and how they are illustrated in a network;
(iv) be able to find the critical path through a network;
(v) be able, given the whole network or a partially completed network, to identify those jobs which may be initiated;
(vi) be able to calculate by how much a non-critical job may be 'delayed’ without delaying the project.

• URL: http://stem.org.uk/rx7cc