Multiple Critical Paths

[GoofyGuy]

Computer geniuses --

In Project 2007, when you click Tools > Options and then click the Calculation page, there is an option at the bottom called Calculate Multiple Critical Paths. I have read the Help article about this feature, and have experimented with it, but can't figure out what this feature means or does. I tried using it in a real project, and all it did was to make every task Critical. Could any of you experts explain this to me? What does it do? When should I use it? I would be very grateful for your help. Thanks.

Dazed and Confused

 

[Jim Aksel]

Consider a project with three tasks A, B, and C. A is the predecessor to
both B &C (which run in parallel). If B&C have the same duration, there are
multuple critical paths.
--
If this post was helpful, please consider rating it.

Jim Aksel, MVP

Check out my blog for more information:
http://www.msprojectblog.com

 

[Jan De Messemaeker]

Hi Jim and all,

Jim, what you say is true but not pertinent to the poster's question.
In your example, even if all durations are different, with the said option
ON, all three tasks will become critical.
That is because with this option ON, EVERY TASK WITHOUT A SUCCESSOR is
considered critical and the calculation goes backwards from there.
It is very useful when you are managing several small projects independant
from one another and for the sake of simplcity (no resource pool necessary
f.i.) you put them all into one file.
Project can then show a CP for each of teh independent projects.
HTH


--
Jan De Messemaeker
Microsoft Project Most Valuable Professional
+32 495 300 620
For availability check:
http://users.online.be/prom-ade/Calendar.pdf

 

[Mike Glen]

Yes, Help says:

"By default, Project 2007 displays only one critical path, the path that
affects the plan's finish date. You can set up your project plan to see
multiple critical paths for each independent network or series of tasks. You
might find this useful if you are working with a master project and you want
to see the critical path for each subproject. This is also useful if the
project is broken into multiple phases and you want to see the critical path
for different phases or milestones.
When viewing multiple critical paths, remember that there is still one
overall critical path whose finish date affects the project's finish date.

Tip Changing the finish date for any of the secondary critical paths will
probably not change the project's finish date."

Mike Glen

Project MVP

See http://tinyurl.com/2xbhc for my free Project Tutorials