critical path
Longest necessary route
Critical path is a project management term for the sequence of tasks that determines the minimum time needed to complete a project.
Any delay along the critical path delays the entire project, while tasks off the critical path have some slack.
We need to focus resources on the critical path items.
The concept comes from network analysis methods developed in the 1950s.
Things required for operation
- sequencingDetermining element order
- milestonesNotable points of progress
- timelineOrdered display of events
- tasksUnits of work
phases · duration · slack · float · lead time · lag time · predecessor · successor
Limiting condition or rule
- chokepointNarrow passage limiting movement
- limiting factorResource constraining growth rate
- blockageObstruction halting movement
- impedimentThing that obstructs progress
delay · single point of failure · logjam · obstruction · queue · handoff · congestion
Scheduled end point
- target datePlanned completion time
- due dateWhen payment is required
- crunch timeHigh-pressure final stretch
- countdownBackward enumeration to zero
delivery date · go-live · launch date · cutoff · slippage · on-time delivery
Having major effect
- resource allocationAssigning available means strategically
- showstoppersSpectacles that astound audiences
- make-or-breakDetermining ultimate success
Rate velocity changes
- crashingColliding with force
- fast-trackingAccelerating a procedure's timeline
- efficiencyProductive without waste
- trade-offsSacrifices for gains
risk mitigation · contingency planning · resequencing · parallel processing · shortening
dependencies
Things required for operation
- sequencingDetermining element order
- milestonesNotable points of progress
- timelineOrdered display of events
tasks · phases · duration · slack · float · lead time · lag time · predecessor · successor · network diagram
constraint
Limiting condition or rule
- chokepointNarrow passage limiting movement
- limiting factorResource constraining growth rate
- blockageObstruction halting movement
impediment · delay · single point of failure · logjam · obstruction · queue · handoff · congestion
completion date
Scheduled end point
- target datePlanned completion time
- due dateWhen payment is required
- crunch timeHigh-pressure final stretch
countdown · delivery date · go-live · launch date · cutoff · slippage · on-time delivery
high-impact
Having major effect
- resource allocationAssigning available means strategically
- showstoppersSpectacles that astound audiences
- make-or-breakDetermining ultimate success
acceleration
Rate velocity changes
- crashingColliding with force
- fast-trackingAccelerating a procedure's timeline
- efficiencyProductive without waste
trade-offs · risk mitigation · contingency planning · resequencing · parallel processing · shortening
- operationsoperation, operations, military operation, joint operation, workflow
- productivityproductivity, checking off, prioritization, finishing, output
- planningplan, planned, planners, to-do lists, calendars
- projectsproject, projects, tasks, milestones, deadlines
- project managementproject, project manager, task, tasks, deadline
- project schedulingmilestones, deadlines, tasks, dependencies, Gantt charts
critical pathfloat
Buoyant object or vehicle
slack · slack time · buffer · padding
path, critical, critically, uncritical, hypercritical, overcritical, noncritical, criticality, criticalness