Term:Critical Path

The critical path is a component that is included as part of the project schedule. The critical path is the longest pathway on the schedule. This can be made up of one activity, or a combination of multiple activities.

The critical path is typically illustrated as a red bar or red set of bars on a standard gantt chart. As activities are adjusted or delayed, the critical path will change throughout the project.

Monitoring the critical path is important at any given point in a project. The reason that it is important is because any delay in it will result in a delay to the overall completion of the project.