ASSIGNMENT

ON

MANAGEMENT TECHNIQUES IN ADMINISTRATION (PUB214)

TOPIC: DO A CRITICAL ANALYSIS ON THE CRITICAL PATH
METHOD.

BY

IMUETINYANOSA MIRACLE OSASERE

SSC2208772

DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION

FACULTY OF SOCIAL SCIENCES
UNIVERSITY OF BENIN
BENIN CITY

SEPTEMBER, 2024.
Introduction

In the dynamic world of management, project planning and scheduling are essential
elements for ensuring successful administration and the timely execution of tasks. Among
the numerous management techniques available to administrators, the Critical Path Method
(CPM) stands out as a fundamental tool in project management. Developed in the late
1950s by DuPont and Remington Rand, CPM was initially designed to manage plant
maintenance projects but has since been applied to a wide array of industries, including
construction, IT, manufacturing, and healthcare. It serves as a powerful tool to help
administrators schedule complex project activities, determine the most important tasks, and
minimize project duration.

In this analysis, we will critically examine the Critical Path Method as a management
technique in administration. We will explore its core concepts, applications in administrative
processes, benefits, and limitations, and compare it with other management techniques.
This evaluation will provide a deeper understanding of CPM's role in modern administrative
practices and highlight areas where it excels and where it falls short.

Concept of the Critical Path Method

The Critical Path Method (CPM) is a project management technique used to plan, schedule,
and control complex projects. It involves identifying the longest sequence of tasks in a
project known as the critical path that must be completed on time for the entire project to
be completed by its deadline. The critical path determines the shortest possible project
duration by outlining tasks that cannot be delayed without affecting the overall project
schedule.

The key components of CPM include:

Activities or Tasks: The individual components of a project that must be completed.

Dependencies: The relationships between activities that determine the sequence in which
they must be performed.

Duration: The time it takes to complete each task.

Critical Path: The longest path through the project, which dictates the shortest time
required to complete the project.

Slack Time: The amount of time a task can be delayed without affecting the overall project
timeline.

Using CPM, project managers and administrators can visualize task dependencies, estimate
project completion times, and identify critical activities that require special attention. The
method uses a network diagram or flowchart to map out tasks and their dependencies,
ensuring that all stakeholders are aware of the most important milestones.

Application of CPM in Administration

CPM is widely used in administration, particularly in industries that involve large-scale

projects with multiple interrelated tasks. In administration, the method helps in organizing
and scheduling various activities to ensure that goals are achieved efficiently and within the
stipulated time. It is especially useful in sectors like construction, IT, and government
projects, where projects are complex and delays can lead to significant cost overruns.

In administrative settings, CPM can be used in:

Project Scheduling: Administrators can create a detailed project timeline, mapping out key
milestones and tasks that need to be completed in sequence.

Resource Allocation: By identifying the critical path, administrators can allocate resources
more effectively to tasks that directly impact the project’s success.

Monitoring and Control: CPM allows administrators to continuously monitor project

progress and take corrective action when delays occur on the critical path.

Decision Making: It provides decision-makers with insights into which activities are critical
and which have slack, enabling better prioritization of tasks.

A notable example of CPM in action is its application in construction project management,

where delays in critical tasks such as foundation laying or equipment installation can
severely impact the overall project completion date.

Advantages of CPM
Clear Visualization of Task Dependencies: One of the major strengths of CPM is its ability to
provide a clear visualization of task dependencies. By creating a network diagram,
administrators can see the sequence of tasks, allowing them to identify which activities
must be completed before others can begin. This ensures better coordination among teams
and reduces the chances of bottlenecks.
Effective Time Management: CPM enables administrators to manage time effectively by
identifying the critical path and ensuring that tasks on this path are completed on schedule.
The method highlights activities with no slack, allowing administrators to focus on these
tasks to prevent delays in the overall project timeline.

Resource Optimization: By identifying the most critical activities, CPM helps administrators
allocate resources more effectively. It allows for the redistribution of resources from non-
critical tasks (those with slack time) to critical tasks, ensuring that the project stays on track.

Risk Management: CPM facilitates proactive risk management by highlighting potential

problem areas in the project. By identifying the critical path, administrators can foresee
potential delays and risks and take pre-emptive measures to address them before they
impact the project schedule.

Improved Communication: The visual representation of tasks and their dependencies in a

CPM chart fosters better communication among team members and stakeholders. Everyone
involved in the project can clearly see which tasks are critical and which can be delayed
without affecting the project timeline, ensuring alignment across teams.

Limitations of CPM:
Complexity in Large Projects: Although CPM is a useful tool, it can become overly complex
when dealing with large-scale projects that involve hundreds or thousands of activities.
Creating and maintaining a detailed network diagram for such projects can be time-
consuming and require significant administrative effort.

Inflexibility: CPM assumes that project tasks are well-defined and that durations are fixed,
which is often not the case in real-world projects. Many projects experience unforeseen
changes in scope, resource availability, or task durations, making CPM inflexible in dealing
with such uncertainties.
Overemphasis on Time: CPM focuses primarily on time and task scheduling, often
neglecting other crucial factors such as cost and quality. Projects may be completed on time,
but if the focus on the critical path leads to cost overruns or substandard work, the overall
project goals may not be achieved.

Inaccurate Time Estimation: CPM relies heavily on accurate time estimation for each task. If
the estimated durations for tasks are inaccurate, the critical path itself may be flawed,
leading to mismanagement of time and resources. Time estimation is often difficult,
especially in projects with uncertain factors such as resource availability or external
dependencies.

CPM vs Other Project Management Techniques

While CPM is a widely used project management technique, it is not the only method
available. It is important to compare CPM with other techniques such as Program Evaluation
and Review Technique (PERT), Gantt Charts, and Agile to understand where it fits best.

CPM vs PERT: CPM and PERT are similar in that both use network diagrams to schedule
tasks. However, PERT is more suitable for projects with uncertain task durations, as it
incorporates probabilistic time estimates (optimistic, pessimistic, and most likely). CPM, on
the other hand, assumes fixed durations and is better suited for projects where time
estimates are more certain.

CPM vs Gantt Charts: Gantt charts are another popular project management tool that
visually represents a project’s timeline. Unlike CPM, Gantt charts do not show task
dependencies or the critical path. However, they provide a simple visual timeline that is
easier to understand, making them useful for smaller projects with fewer interrelated tasks.

CPM vs Agile: Agile is a flexible project management approach that emphasizes iterative
development and adaptability. Agile is best suited for projects where requirements are
constantly changing, whereas CPM is more rigid and better suited for projects with well-
defined tasks and timelines.

Conclusion

The Critical Path Method (CPM) remains a powerful and widely-used management tool in
administration, particularly for complex projects that require precise scheduling and
resource allocation. Its ability to identify critical tasks, optimize time management, and
improve communication among project teams makes it a valuable asset in the
administrator’s toolkit. However, CPM is not without its limitations. Its complexity,
inflexibility, and overemphasis on time can present challenges, particularly in large projects
with uncertain variables.

While CPM is highly effective in scenarios with fixed task durations and well-defined
dependencies, administrators must consider alternative methods like PERT for uncertain
environments or Agile for projects requiring flexibility. Ultimately, the effectiveness of CPM
depends on the nature of the project and the context in which it is applied. For
administrators looking to ensure timely project completion while managing complex task
dependencies, CPM remains a critical tool, provided it is applied with consideration of its
strengths and weaknesses.

References

1. Kerzner, H. (2017). **Project Management: A Systems Approach to Planning, Scheduling,

and Controlling**. John Wiley & Sons.

2. Gray, C. F., & Larson, E. W. (2013). **Project Management: The Managerial Process**.
McGraw-Hill Education.

3. Meredith, J. R., & Mantel, S. J. (2012). **Project Management: A Managerial Approach**.

John Wiley & Sons.