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3 min read

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1 day ago

Ben Webb — Project Manager

Project managers have been obsessed with the Critical Path Method (CPM) for decades. The theory say its the way to identify the longest chain of dependent tasks that determines the project’s completion time.

It assumes projects follow a fixed sequence. (THEY DONT)

It ignores real-world constraints like resource availability. (CRITICAL TO ANY PROJECT)

It creates a false sense of urgency around a single path while ignoring critical risks elsewhere.

The biggest mistake in project management is treating the Critical Path as the only path — when in reality, modern projects are fast moving, dynamic, and constantly shifting.

CPM works only if you know everything in advance — which, let’s be honest, never happens.

Yet, teams blindly follow the Critical Path, making decisions based on an outdated plan instead of adapting to reality and delivering what can be delivered.

The Critical Path assumes that if Task A finishes, Task B starts — but what if there aren’t enough people or materials available?

A construction project can’t pour concrete just because it’s “next in line” — it depends on weather, supply chains, and crew availability.

A software team can’t start testing just because development “finished” — it depends on code quality, test environment setup, and backlog priorities.

Projects aren’t just about task order — they’re about balancing resources effectively.

Because CPM focuses only on the longest path, managers tend to ignore non-critical tasks — until they suddenly become critical.

A side task gets delayed, but nobody notices — until it snowballs into a major roadblock.

A non-critical team runs out of resources, but since they weren’t on the Critical Path, nobody adjusted for it.

The project “looks on track” — until an ignored issue blows everything up at the last minute.

Projects should be proactive, not reactive. CPM forces teams into a constant firefighting mode, instead of helping them anticipate and prevent issues early.

If the Critical Path is dead, what replaces it? Real-time project intelligence. Instead of following a fixed sequence, modern projects need:

Instead of fixing a path upfront, use rolling wave planning that adapts to current conditions.

Adjust priorities based on real-time project data, not a static chart made months ago.

Use data-driven insights to spot bottlenecks before they happen.

Plan around resource availability instead of just task sequence.

Ensure key dependencies aren’t just tracked — but actively managed to avoid delays.

Shift from measuring success by hitting task milestones to measuring actual deliverables.

Are we moving the project forward? Not: Are we on track with the Critical Path?

The Critical Path was designed for a world where projects were predictable — but today, nothing is. Ben Webb, a leader in project management, has seen first-hand how rigid scheduling slows teams down, while real-time execution delivers better results.

The best project managers don’t just follow a fixed path. They adjust, adapt, and deliver.

So the next time someone asks, “Is this on the Critical Path?”, ask them:

“Why are we managing a schedule instead of managing the project?”