The sum of activity durations of the longest path in a network indicates expected project completion time, and the activities on it are called the critical activities. True False
The correct answer and explanation is :
Correct Answer: True
The sum of activity durations of the longest path in a network represents the expected project completion time, and the activities on this path are called critical activities. This is based on the concept of the Critical Path Method (CPM), which is widely used in project management to schedule project tasks efficiently.
Explanation:
In a Project Network Diagram, different paths connect the project’s start and finish. Each path consists of multiple activities, each with its own duration. The longest of these paths, in terms of total duration, is known as the critical path. The activities on this path are referred to as critical activities because any delay in these activities will directly extend the project’s completion time.
Why is the Critical Path Important?
- Determines Project Duration – The total duration of the critical path gives the minimum time required to complete the project.
- Identifies Critical Activities – Activities on the critical path must be monitored carefully since they have zero slack (float), meaning any delay in these activities will cause a delay in the overall project.
- Resource Allocation – Helps project managers allocate resources effectively, ensuring that critical tasks are prioritized.
- Risk Management – By identifying critical activities, project managers can take preventive actions to reduce the risk of delays.
Example
Suppose a project has the following tasks:
- Task A (3 days), Task B (4 days), Task C (5 days), Task D (2 days)
- If the longest path is A → B → C, totaling 12 days, this will be the project’s expected completion time.
- Tasks A, B, and C are critical activities because delaying any of them will extend the project duration.
Thus, the statement is True.