ARCH 512 : SPECIALIZATIONS 2 - Construction Project Management, Monitoring, and Controlling
WEEK 10 : • Critical Chain
OBJECTIVES : 1. To describe what is Critical Chain and how does it relate to Project Management.
2. To duplicate the basics of Critical Chain.
3. To weigh the difference between critical path method and critical chain.
LEARNING CONTENT
CRITICAL CHAIN
A project management methodology called critical chain THE ELEMENTS THAT MAKE UP A CRITICAL CHAIN
project management (CCPM) assists you in prioritizing
dependent tasks and keeping an eye on necessary resources so A critical chain consists of three main components: resource
you can finish projects as quickly as possible. buffers, the feeding chain, and the critical path.
Critical chain project management is a useful tactic to THE CRITICAL PATH
track resources if your team wants to closely monitor how they The longest chain of interdependent tasks required to
are being used. finish a project is known as the critical path. Stated differently,
COMPARING THE CRITICAL PATH AND CRITICAL CHAIN it comprises all the tasks that are imperative for the
METHODS accomplishment of a project, arranged in the prescribed
sequence of completion.
While these two project management approaches are
very similar, there is one significant distinction. The single It is crucial to comprehend that there are various
sequence of concurrent tasks needed to finish a project is the levels of dependencies in the critical chain method. A task is
main focus of the critical path method. assigned to a different path, called the feeding chain, if it has
no bearing on the critical path. The critical path contains the
highest level of dependencies, or project critical tasks.
THE FEEDING CHAIN
The critical path must be followed by a secondary
chain of dependent tasks called the feeding chain. The critical
path eventually combines with each feeding chain.
THE RESOURCE BUFFERS
Buffers are safety measures incorporated into the
The critical path identifies all of the tasks that are critical chain's resources to guarantee a project's seamless
absolutely required to finish the project, even though there may operation. These buffers are intended to give projects
be other tasks that need to be completed. Teams can identify the additional leeway in case something doesn't go as planned,
best workflow to create an effective project timeline with the aid much like bumpers in a bowling alley.
of this type of project management.
Three different kinds of buffers are frequently
All non-critical path tasks are delegated to a lower
employed in the critical chain project management approach:
priority level. The timely completion of certain critical tasks
determines the overall health of the project. Project buffers: The additional time allotted between the last
Task dependencies are another area of focus for the task and the project's conclusion. Team members can catch
critical chain method. However, it also takes into account the up on any unfinished project work they were unable to finish
resources required to finish a project. earlier if there is an extension added before the scheduled
deadline.
Feeding buffers: The interval of time between the critical chain and the feeding chain, sometimes referred to as the non-critical
chain. By including this buffer in the timeline, any delays from the feeding chain that could impact the critical chain are avoided.
Resource buffers are actual resources you set aside in case the supply chain requires additional supplies, such as additional
team members to have on hand, additional equipment, or outside assistance.
USING THE CRITICAL CHAIN PROJECT MANAGEMENT PROCESS IN FOUR STEPS
Try these four steps to get you started if you're new to using the critical chain project management process:
1. Identify the critical path first - When applying the critical chain method, your project's critical path serves as its central
nervous system. It's the whole foundation of planning, so it's critical to identify the individual tasks that comprise that
core chain.
2. Determine the exact amount of resources your project requires - Here, resources can mean the actual time your team
members require, the actual materials and equipment your team uses to produce the final product, or the actual labor
force required to finish a task.
3. Place your buffers - This will allow you to determine the buffers you need to construct in accordance with the
requirements you determined when establishing the critical path.
4. Keep team members focused - Make sure none of the team members have too many tasks assigned to them so they
can't fall behind the project schedule. They are more likely to maintain their focus if you keep them focused on a single
task or project.
