CompTIA Project+ (PK0-005)Project Life Cycle PhasesHard
A project network diagram has two paths from start to finish: Path 1 (Start→A→B→D→Finish) with durations A=3, B=5, D=2 days, and Path 2 (Start→A→C→E→Finish) with durations A=3, C=4, E=6 days. Both paths converge through activity F (3 days) before Finish. What is the project's critical path duration?
- A16 days
- B10 days
- C13 days
- D19 days
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: A. 16 days
Path 1 total = A(3)+B(5)+D(2)+F(3) = 13 days. Path 2 total = A(3)+C(4)+E(6)+F(3) = 16 days. The critical path is the longest path through the network, so Path 2 (A-C-E-F) at 16 days is the critical path and determines the minimum project duration.
Why the other options are wrong
- B. 10 days is too short and doesn't match either full path total.
- C. 13 days is Path 1's total, which is shorter and not critical.
- D. 19 days overstates the total; no path sums to this value.
Critical Path Method (CPM)
A scheduling technique that identifies the longest sequence of dependent activities, determining the shortest possible project duration.
- Critical path = longest path through the network
- Any delay on the critical path delays the project
- Non-critical paths have float/slack time
Memory trick: Critical path = the longest, most stressful road to the finish line