ABSTRACT
A project network is a tool for graphically depicting a schedule. This chapter discusses the use of project networks and the critical path method to evaluate options for developing a system in crash mode. Crash mode analysis is a technique for studying the cost/time tradeoff by manipulating the project network. Critical Path Method (CPM) is used to help plan and monitor a project schedule when the activity times are known with reasonable precision. Only by shortening the critical path can the project completion time be improved. The accuracy of the project network is no better than the activity duration estimates, and the accuracy of the cost computations is no better than the cost estimates. A project management technique based on a project network; the focus of CPM is project planning, with the critical path defining those activities into which additional resources might be poured to accelerate the schedule.
