Critical Path Analysis (CPA)
A project management technique that identifies the longest sequence of dependent activities (the critical path) in a pro...
Formula
Float = Latest Finish Time − Earliest Start Time − Activity Duration
Real World
Heathrow Airport used CPA to coordinate thousands of interdependent tasks during Terminal 5's construction, ensuring the critical path activities (structural steelwork, runways) were never delayed.
Exam Focus
Identify critical path activities as those with zero float — examiners expect you to state this explicitly, not just draw the diagram.
How well did you know this?