CAPM Predictive Plan-Based Methodologies Practice Question
A project manager is developing the project schedule for a construction project. The team has identified all activities and their dependencies. Which tool should the project manager use to determine the critical path?
⚠ Common exam trap
Watch out — candidates often confuse PERT with CPM because both use network diagrams, but PERT is for probabilistic duration estimation while CPM is specifically for identifying the critical path via float calculations.
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Critical path method (CPM)
The Critical Path Method (CPM) is the correct tool because it calculates the longest path through the project network diagram by analyzing activity durations and dependencies, identifying which activities have zero float and thus determine the project's minimum completion time. The question specifically asks for determining the critical path, which is the core output of CPM, not just visualizing or estimating durations.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Work breakdown structure (WBS)
Why it's wrong here
WBS is for scope decomposition.
- ✓
Critical path method (CPM)
Why this is correct
CPM calculates the critical path.
- ✗
Program Evaluation and Review Technique (PERT)
Why it's wrong here
PERT is for probabilistic duration estimation.
- ✗
Gantt chart
Why it's wrong here
Gantt chart shows schedule but does not compute critical path.
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