What does critical path mean in construction?
Short definition
The critical path is the sequence of activities that controls the earliest possible project completion date.
Longer explanation
Delays to critical path activities usually delay the project unless the schedule is recovered through resequencing, acceleration, or added resources.
Example in context
“The project team reviewed the critical path during the construction phase.”
Common users
- Owners
- Architects
- Contractors
- Construction managers
Related terms
Related resources
Construction Scheduling TermsScheduling terms for critical path, CPM schedules, lookaheads, milestones, float, constraints, and procurement timing.CPM Schedule vs Lookahead ScheduleCompare master scheduling logic with short-term field planning.Construction Schedule Update ProcessHow teams update CPM schedules, lookaheads, milestones, and critical path status.