Critical Path Method (CPM) Glossary Definition

Critical Path Method (CPM) is a scheduling technique that uses activity durations and dependencies to identify the critical path and calculate schedule flexibility.

CPM supports schedule analysis, forecasting, and decisions about where to focus recovery effort.

Related concepts include Critical Path.

Project managers, sponsors, and project-controls staff use this concept in budget reviews, performance reporting, forecasting, and variance conversations.

Related concepts include Budget, Cost Baseline, Planned Value, Earned Value, Actual Cost and Cost Variance.