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A Critical Choice: Finding the Method that Works
Every project manager is familiar with doing an analysis or planning a project using the Critical Path Method (CPM). However, there is an approach called the Theory of Constraints/Critical Chain Method (TOC/CCM) that is gaining popularity . TOC/CCM is a relatively new concept attributed to Dr. Eliyahu Goldratt, who was the first to apply the Theory of Constraints to project management. In simple terms, the Critical Chain project management approach could be described as the application of CPM to constraining resources.
Critical Path Method
As most readers probably know, the well-established Critical Path Method is used to calculate the minimum length of time that is required to complete a project. This methodology is based on the concept that certain tasks are dependent upon completion of predecessor tasks and that dependent tasks or activities must be completed in sequence. These sequential tasks are differentiated from nonsequential or parallel tasks that may be completed independently or perhaps at any time during the life cycle of a project. The "critical path" is thus the longest sequence of dependent tasks that will lead to the completion of a project. Any delay in the critical path will delay completion of your project, unless the remaining tasks in the critical path can be accelerated to make up for earlier delays. The CPM is generally …
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