Which project management technique identifies the sequence of tasks that determine the minimum project duration?

Which project management technique identifies the sequence of tasks that determine the minimum project duration?

• A. Critical Path Method
• B. Gantt Chart
• C. PERT Analysis
• D. Kanban

Answer: (A)

Finding the minimum project duration comes from identifying the critical path—the longest sequence of dependent tasks in the project network that determines the earliest finish date. The technique that does this work is the Critical Path Method. By building a network diagram, estimating each task’s duration, and calculating the earliest and latest start and finish times, you reveal the path with the greatest total duration. Tasks on that path have zero slack, so any delay there delays the entire project. A Gantt chart helps visualize timing but doesn’t inherently identify which sequence drives the duration. PERT analysis introduces probability to duration estimates, focusing on forecasting rather than the exact driving sequence. Kanban concentrates on workflow and task flow, not on calculating the minimum completion time.

Finding the minimum project duration comes from identifying the critical path—the longest sequence of dependent tasks in the project network that determines the earliest finish date. The technique that does this work is the Critical Path Method. By building a network diagram, estimating each task’s duration, and calculating the earliest and latest start and finish times, you reveal the path with the greatest total duration. Tasks on that path have zero slack, so any delay there delays the entire project. A Gantt chart helps visualize timing but doesn’t inherently identify which sequence drives the duration. PERT analysis introduces probability to duration estimates, focusing on forecasting rather than the exact driving sequence. Kanban concentrates on workflow and task flow, not on calculating the minimum completion time.