Critical Path Analysis

There are many factors in construction which can push timescales out, to avoid this happening MFS use Critical path analysis (CPA), this is a technique that identifies the activities actually necessary to complete a task, including identifying the time necessary to finish each activity and the relationships between the activities. CPA helps to predict if a project will finish on time.

Critical Path Analysis – How it works

Critical Path Analysis: What is it?

MFS uses Critical Path Analysis (CPA) to detect and define the critical and noncritical tasks in relation to our construction process or system plan. We calculate the amount of financial float associated with each activity which helps to prevent schedule delays and process bottlenecks. CPA is a key component in reducing project timelines and controlling costs to prevent exceeding the project budget, which ultimately benefits you and your development.

Critical Path Analysis

Using critical path analysis, we can define the critical path based on the results. You will be given a sequential set of related and important steps that comprise a work plan, usually with zero slack. It examines all options for decreasing the time necessary to complete the critical steps in a work plan. This means when using the critical path method, some activities cannot start until others are finished and must be executed in a sequence. These activities are known as sequential activities.

Critical Path Diagrams

Our Critical Path Method (CPM) diagrams the time necessary to complete a build, activity dependencies, milestones, deliverables and how each activity is connected to a former and subsequent activity are all included. The critical path method diagrams the project activities using circles and arrows to depict the connection between activities and the length of each activity. A series of activities is called a path, and the longest path in the diagram is the critical path. The critical path is the path that justifies the final project timeline.

What CPM means for your construction management

CPM is used to reliably plan and organise resources, prioritise tasks, estimate and minimise project time, support project cost estimates and evaluation, and not to mention it helps provide project guidance. The technique also allows us to assess specific tasks that must conclude, identify where parallel activity can/could occur, calculate the quickest time to complete a project, detail resource requirements, categorise the sequence of activities and enables project scheduling.

Testimonial

MFS took over our Silka works on our Eastbourne College project after problems with our Belgian contractor.

Being an experienced thin bed contractor, MFS got to grips with the intricacies of the system including the critical sequencing of the build to access the works with the material handler. MFS invested in further training of their operatives in the system and equipment including material handling which was a grey area regards CPCS certification. There were some sequencing delays by other trades… but MFS proved to be flexible in accommodating.

Mike Rosier, Vinci Construction UK Ltd

Example Critical Path Analysis Diagrams

Here are some example Critical Path Diagrams, so you can see how it might benefit your project management and timescales.

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