The matrix-based approach to the critical path method

In the project management literature, the lack of adequate planning and scheduling tools is often cited as one of the main reasons for project failures related to schedule and budget overruns. Since its debut, over a half century ago, the Critical Path Method (CPM) is one of the most common and yet inadequate project scheduling methods. The CPM has been criticized for its inability to cope with activity uncertainties and non-temporal constraints. Typically, these limitations are associated with its diagrammatic approach: acyclic activity networks unable to represent activity overlapping, dependencies other than start-to-finish relationships, and compact project structures. Motivated by the need for developing effective and efficient project planning procedures, this research presents a matrix-based approach to the CPM. In addition to overcoming some of the limitations of the network-based approach, the matrix-based approach sets the framework for not only integrating CPM with PERT and other optimization tools but also facilitating the understanding of activity dependency rationales and their impact on project duration and cost. Accordingly, the matrix-based approach to the CPM is expected to contribute towards bridging the gap between project planning practice and theory by enhancing project management information for better managerial decisions.