A Critical Path Method CPM schedule is a project management tool used to plan and schedule project activities to ensure that the project is completed within the defined timeline. However, just creating a CPM schedule does not guarantee the success of a project. It is important to evaluate the effectiveness of the CPM schedule to identify any gaps or shortcomings and take corrective action. In this post, we will discuss how to evaluate the success of your CPM schedule in detail.
A CPM schedule is an essential document that outlines the activities and their interdependencies, which makes it possible to manage and monitor the project’s progress effectively. As projects are dynamic and evolving, it is common for schedules to require revisions and updates. Here are the steps to follow when updating and revising a CPM schedule:
Review the Current Schedule:
One of the crucial steps in updating and revising a CPM schedule is reviewing the current schedule. Before making any changes, it is necessary to have a clear understanding of the current status of the project.
The review process helps identify any potential issues or challenges that need to be addressed. Project managers can develop solutions to overcome these issues and adjust the project schedule accordingly. Reviewing the current schedule ensures that the updated schedule accurately reflects the current state of the project, which is essential for effective project management.
Identify any Changes or Updates:
To update a CPM schedule, it is essential to identify any changes or updates that have occurred since the last update of the schedule. This involves reviewing any new information that has become available since the last update, including new activities, updated durations, and new dependencies.
Project managers should review any meeting minutes, emails, and other project-related documents to identify any changes or updates that may have occurred.
Re-Evaluate the Critical Path:
Re-evaluating the critical path is an essential step in updating a CPM schedule. After making any necessary updates or changes to the schedule, project managers should re-evaluate the critical path to determine if any new activities have become critical or if any activities have become non-critical.
To re-evaluate the critical path, project managers should identify the sequence of activities that have the longest duration and determine if any changes have affected the duration of these activities.
Update the Schedule:
Updating the schedule is a crucial step in CPM schedule management. After identifying the changes and re-evaluating the critical path, project managers must make the necessary updates to the schedule. This involves adding any new activities, updating the duration of existing activities, and modifying dependencies as needed.
When updating the schedule, project managers must ensure that all relevant details are included, such as the activity ID, duration, and predecessor activities. These details provide a clear understanding of the sequence of activities and help ensure that the schedule accurately reflects the project’s current status.
Communicate Changes:
After updating the schedule, project managers must communicate the changes to the team. This includes sharing the revised schedule with all relevant stakeholders, including the project manager, team members, and any external contractors. Communication is essential to ensure that all team members understand the changes and can adjust their work accordingly.
When communicating changes, project managers should clearly explain the reasons for the updates and any potential impacts on the project’s timeline. This helps stakeholders understand the rationale behind the changes and make any necessary adjustments to their work.
Monitor Progress:
Monitoring progress is a critical step in CPM schedule management. After updating and sharing the schedule, project managers must regularly track the status of the activities and compare them with the updated CPM schedule. This helps ensure that the project stays on track and meets its objectives.
To monitor progress, project managers should review the status of each activity and compare it with the updated schedule.
