Project Controls
What is CPM (Critical Path Method)?
The Critical Path Method models a project as a network of activities with durations and dependencies, then computes the longest chain — the critical path — that determines the earliest possible finish. Any delay on the critical path delays the project.
In practice
CPM schedules in Primavera P6 or Microsoft Project are contractually required on most large projects. Their quality varies wildly, which is why schedule analytics and AI risk tools exist to grade and stress-test them.
Tools for CPM
SmartPM
Turns raw CPM schedules into automated analytics: delay analysis, compression, quality scores and executive dashboards.
nPlan
Machine learning trained on hundreds of thousands of historical schedules forecasts delay risk on your programme and shows where to act.
ALICE Technologies
Generative AI construction scheduling optimization
Karmen
Builds baseline schedules from project documents and keeps them updated, exporting straight to P6 and MS Project.
Related terms
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