No Critical Path

[JaspalJC]

I was assigned to a project that was behind schedule at birth. The timeline was so aggressive that it was almost impossible and every activity was on the critical path (many with negative float).

Well, the Steering Committee then extended the Go-Live such that every task had float. There's at least 2 weeks float even in the path with least slack.

Now there's an argument between myself and my manager. He's asking me for Critical Path - and I'm telling him there's no critical path in my project right now since I have slack everywhere.

My manager is saying there can't be a project without a critical path - he's asking me to consider the path with minimum slack as the critical path. I continue to disagree saying I won't call it the critical path.

Who between us is right; or else - who's more right?

An early response will be highly appreciated - since he's going to hold me again the next time we meet !!!

Thanks,
JC

[pmkb]

It sounds like you are arguing over semantics. I never set an end constraint such that every task has float. You might have to for some reason to satisfy accounting, but for project management purposes, I would set the schedule as your manager is requesting to reflect the path that is driving the completion of the scheduled work - whether it meets your contractual date or not.

[JaspalJC]

Makes sense, thank you.

[cdevera]

I agree with pmkb, also what I think your project manager wanted to see is what the "activity" driver(s) to the completion of your project will be or in other words what is the longest path to your project to be able to make his assessment to the project and decide which course of action to take.