In Plain English
Quick Answer
A scheduling method that identifies which project tasks, if delayed, will push back the project completion date.
Definition
Definition
The Critical Path Method is a project scheduling technique that identifies the longest sequence of dependent activities—the critical path—that determines the minimum project duration. Activities on the critical path have zero float, meaning any delay in those activities directly delays the project completion date. CPM scheduling is required on most large public and private construction projects and is the standard method used by courts and scheduling experts to analyze delay claims.
Context
Why It Matters in Bidding
CPM scheduling shapes bidding because the schedule drives time-dependent costs: general conditions, equipment rental, crew durations, and liquidated-damages exposure all hinge on the critical path. Many bids require a preliminary CPM schedule, and after award the as-planned schedule becomes the baseline against which delay claims and time extensions are measured.
Example
Example
Preparing a bid on a public bridge job, the estimator built a CPM schedule that put the precast girder fabrication and erection on the critical path, then priced extended general conditions for the resulting 14-month duration.
See Also
Related Terms
FAQ
Questions Contractors Ask
What is float in the critical path method?
Float, or slack, is the amount of time an activity can slip without delaying the project finish. Activities on the critical path have zero float, so any delay there extends completion. Non-critical activities carry positive float, giving the team flexibility to resequence or absorb minor delays without affecting the contract end date.
Why do owners require a CPM schedule with the bid?
A CPM schedule proves the contractor can realistically complete within the contract time and reveals the planned sequence the owner can coordinate against. It establishes a baseline for measuring progress payments and evaluating later delay or acceleration claims. On large public projects, a baseline CPM submittal is often a condition of the notice to proceed.
How does CPM affect delay claims?
Courts and scheduling experts use CPM analysis to determine whether a delay actually extended the project. A delay to a critical-path activity is generally compensable or excusable, while delay to an activity with float usually is not, because it consumed slack without pushing the finish date. The as-built critical path is central to that proof.
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