Critical Path
Scheduling Terms
Reviewed by forProject Technology - updated Sep 2026
Quick definition: The Critical Path is the sequence of linked tasks that determines the project's finish date. Delay any task on it and the project finishes later. See also the Driving Path.
The Critical Path is the longest continuous chain of dependent tasks through the schedule. Every other path is shorter, which means those paths have slack and can absorb some delay — the Critical Path cannot. Tasks on it therefore have little or no float (scheduling flexibility), so a slip on any of them moves the project's finish date. The Critical Path Method (CPM) is the technique used to calculate it.
Why it matters
The Critical Path shows exactly where schedule risk is concentrated. Delays elsewhere can often be absorbed by float; a delay on the Critical Path directly pushes out the finish date — which is why it's the first thing an experienced scheduler checks when a project starts slipping.
Also known as
N/A
Used in
Critical Path Analysis (identifying and assessing schedule priorities and impacts using the Critical Path); Critical Path Method (CPM) scheduling generally
See also
FAQ
What's the difference between the Critical Path and the Near Critical Path?
The Critical Path has the least float in the schedule (often zero). The Near Critical Path is the pathway with the next-lowest float — the one most likely to become critical if conditions change slightly.
Does the Critical Path ever change during a project?
Yes — as tasks are completed, delayed, or re-sequenced, the calculated Critical Path can shift to a different sequence of tasks than it started with.
Definition maintained by forProject Technology.
© 2026 forProject Technology, Inc.
© 2026 forProject Technology, Inc.
