Critical path diagram
Opening a café: critical path
Sign the lease
Fit-out
Hire staff
Plan the menu
Fit the kitchen
Train staff
Find suppliers
Inspection
Soft opening
Make a critical path diagram
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What a critical path diagram is
“The critical path method (CPM), or critical path analysis (CPA), is an algorithm for scheduling a set of project activities. A critical path is determined by identifying the longest stretch of dependent activities and measuring the time required to complete them from start to finish.”
Charts like a critical path diagram
When to use a critical path diagram
New project
The red path is the chain of tasks that sets the opening day: lease, fit-out, kitchen, inspection.
A deadline
Make a red task longer and opening day moves; make a grey one a little longer and it may not.
A startup
Opening a café or a shop? List everything that has to happen first, and link what waits for what.
How to make a critical path diagram
- 1List the tasksOpening a café: critical path
- 2Link what waitsOpening a café: critical pathSign the leaseFit-outHire staff
- 3Find the pathOpening a café: critical pathSign the leaseFit-outHire staffPlan the menuFit the kitchenTrain staffFind suppliersInspectionSoft opening
Helpful resources
Questions
- Is it the same as a PERT chart?
It is commonly used in conjunction with the program evaluation and review technique (PERT).
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