The Critical Path Method for the PMP Exam and the CAPM Exam by Aileen Ellis, AME Group Inc.

[@myramyra2]

Wow 9 years later and this is timeless. I was so confused before this breakdown. Well done

[@jenniferklein9864]

I am taking an online course for my PMP training. I was in tears because this was so confusing to me and not explained well in my online course. This video helped me SO much. Greatly appreciated!!

[@AileenEllisPMPPgMP]

Glad this video helped you. Is the rest of the online course you are taking great? If not, can you cancel, get a refund.... and take my online course?

[@keenahall5991]

I have never seen such an understandable explanation of critical path. Thank you so much!

[@AileenEllisPMPPgMP]

Thank you.

[@christolpowell5682]

You are the woman, Aileen! I've been able to connect with all of your videos. Thanks for your service.

[@AjeshRamakrishnan]

Aileen I want to let you know that all your videos especially this one had been very helpful to me while I prepared for the exam. I passed my exam on 31Mar. Thank you

[@AileenEllisPMPPgMP]

I'm so glad! Congratulations.

[@sciencemaster4815]

This has given me another way to look at things. Thanks.

[@faradjian]

You are awesome! This was never explained in detail to me the way you explain it in your video. Thank you for the clear explanation and talking through the explanation. Helped a ton.

[@AileenEllisPMPPgMP]

So glad this video helped you. It is an old one of mine. Send me your email at [e-mail] so I can invite you to free PMP Exam Online training. Aileen

[@CecilDSouza]

Excellent explanation with a great example. Perfect and professional delivery in articulation and tempo. What more can one want. Thank you for sharing.

[@AileenEllisPMPPgMP]

You are welcome.

[@paulaallison5811]

Absolutely best video on critical path I've seen thus far!! THANK YOU!! I just might FINALLY get it now :)

[@AileenEllisPMPPgMP]

Thank you for your kind comment. Would you like access to a free online mini-workshop I just created on earned value? No credit card required. Here is the link: aileenellis.mykajabi.com/offers/puGKAv9K/checkout

[@stevenkunde7427]

I am so greatful for your video. I have been struggling with this chart and you explained it perfectly. Thank you!

[@AileenEllisPMPPgMP]

Steve. Thanks for your kind words. While I love this video, it is not likely that you will need to solve something like this for the current PMP Exam. Are you preparing for the PMP now? If yes, you may want to join my mailing list for free PMP training. www.aileenellis.com

[@stevenkunde7427]

@@AileenEllisPMPPgMP You are correct and regardless. I really just wanted to understand it better. By the way. I took my test this morning and passed. 😀😀

[@Minds-The-Master]

Best explanation on CPM I have had. Cleared all my confusions. Thank you so much

[@AileenEllisPMPPgMP]

Godfrey- thank you. This is one of the favorite videos I have created. Glad it helped you.

[@evelynekoumtingue7093]

Gee! And I thought I would NEVER understand how network diagrams work!!! Aileen, those will be my bonus points on the exam in a month! :) A sky full of thanks for you!!!

[@AileenEllisPMPPgMP]

You are welcome.

[@ellebee5498]

Thank you so much. The pace, clarity, explanation of terms... i literally had to log in to thank you and subscribe!

[@AileenEllisPMPPgMP]

Glad you like my videos.

[@nataliejmeador2468]

This was a really concise and clear presentation on Float, precedence diagramming and The Critical Path Method. Thanks so much!

[@AileenEllisPMPPgMP]

Glad it was helpful! When are you planning on testing? How is your studying going?

[@nataliemeador9034]

Aileen Ellis I passed the exam this past Saturday. With much thanks to you and your very clear way of presenting the concepts

[@AileenEllisPMPPgMP]

Natalie Meador . I am so happy to read your news. Congratulations. Would you be willing to email me a quote that I could use with your permission? [e-mail]

[@nataliemeador9034]

Aileen Ellis feel free to use the quote above. I have so appreciated the availability of your KZbin videos. You have tackled the most important topics and provided clear and concise explanations of the more challenging concepts

[@candicebessette2568]

Jennifer Klein I could not agree more with you. Aileen does an excellent job of explaining network diagrams.

[@AileenEllisPMPPgMP]

Thank you. Good luck on your exam.

[@marmaripak9354]

FINALLY!!!! I can understand CPM. Thank you sooooo much Aileen. I feel more confident going into my exam now. :)

[@AileenEllisPMPPgMP]

Thank you.

[@debbiebritt9237]

Best C-Path video out there!

[@AileenEllisPMPPgMP]

Thank you.

[@oxparadiixo]

Thank you so much for clarifying, this method makes so much more sense to me!

[@AileenEllisPMPPgMP]

Great. Glad I was able to help you. Are you attending my free online PMP training every week? If not, sign up for my mailing list to get invited: www.aileenellis.com/

[@robertduda4234]

Aileen, I worked in Project Planning & Scheduling at Monsanto, where we had a 4 foot tall flat file of these networks. It is always good to refresh / renew. Bob Duda

[@AileenEllisPMPPgMP]

With my first job, I would " solve " these problems every day by hand. The good old days. :)

[@robertduda4234]

@@AileenEllisPMPPgMP That included 80 column punch cards & plug boards for data & instructions. EVM was "anathema" to many of the practitioners. ES -EF would get you fired. But we did have some great "float" trips down the Meremec River.

[@AileenEllisPMPPgMP]

@@robertduda4234 . I did EVM for many years also. I really believe in a EVM system if it is implemented and managed well.

[@mikyafreh4351]

Aileen .. all I want to say is "THANK YOU"

[@AileenEllisPMPPgMP]

You are very welcome. Sign up for free live training at: www.aileenellis.com/

[@scottjeffries6826]

I have worked very hard to be able to share this - I passed my test this morning. I studied extremely hard and was very blessed but I could not have passed without your great videos and insight. You made the studying process enjoyable and effective. I can’t thank you enough.

[@sophneel]

Thanks a lot, Aileen!!

[@KeyToTheHighwayBluesRockinBand]

Thank you Aileen ... great exercise, finally I got a structured method to calculate floats !!!!

[@AileenEllisPMPPgMP]

You are welcome.

[@whereisalimaher]

Excellent and very well explained! Thank you Aileen!

[@AileenEllisPMPPgMP]

You are welcome.

[@sankarand9728]

thank you...simple explanation...not confusing..

[@AileenEllisPMPPgMP]

Thank you for your kind comment. Have you joined our mailing list yet for invites to free training? Join here: www.aileenellis.com/

[@centralbears3010]

OUTSTANDING JOB! I spent a week fretting over this. The math is simple the logic is simple; it just was not explained as well as you put it. The reasoning helps me realize the addition and subtraction of 1. Did you mean 12 for backward pass at B? You said 13-3 +1 = 10. it that 21-3+1 = 10?

[@witakajulius5898]

Thanks,well explained . Starting with one other than zero makes it more practical ,than starting with zero because there is no zero starting duration and you to with day one.

[@AileenEllisPMPPgMP]

Glad the video makes sense to you.

[@hpramono20]

Thank you... you explained very clear..

[@eniolaodugbesan866]

Great teaching but confused about the free float part - Free float =ES (successor)- EF (subsequent activity). Please where is the -1coming from?

[@francaogochukwu6563]

You did a great job! Weldone!

[@AileenEllisPMPPgMP]

Thank you. Sign up for our email list if you would like invites to free training.www.aileenellis.com/

[@timfleming5523]

Aileen, you make this easy to comprehend. Is there an easier way to do this without writting it all out? Thank you

[@AileenEllisPMPPgMP]

Yes, absolutely. Please check out the 2nd part of this video and see if it helps you.kzbin.info/www/bejne/q3WlXqlrZr-AZsU

[@syedsharifuddin7978]

Nicely elaborated. Thank you so much.

[@AileenEllisPMPPgMP]

You are welcome.

[@jabirat]

Thank you So much.... clear & simple way of explanation.... appreciate the efforts!!! Thank you so much again.

[@AileenEllisPMPPgMP]

You are welcome.

[@DonkorPerez]

@aileen Ellis. Why do we have to keep adding and subtracting one for the forward pass and backward pass respectively. Why don't you just start the early start of activity A as zero and the Early finish of A as 5. So that the early start of the preceding activity takes the value of the Early finish of the preceding activity.

[@benabdillahthounayane1235]

Thank you so much. Very helpful content

[@boston7704]

Good video. This is a better example than the PMI Online course on this subject.

[@AileenEllisPMPPgMP]

Thanks James. Your comment made me smile. Maybe you could recommend to PMI to use my videos in their online courses? If you haven't already please join our free facebook group: facebook.com/groups/pmpexampreptribewithaileen/?ref=bookmarks

[@boston7704]

I'd be happy to, Aileen.

[@sujatarana2864]

Excellent tutorial! Many thanks!

[@AileenEllisPMPPgMP]

Glad you liked it. If you are preparing for your PMP you may want to go to www.aileenellis.com to be invited to free hour long live online training sessions.

[@romannagel2414]

Perfect Example!!!Very well explained!!!Thanks MuCH!!

[@AileenEllisPMPPgMP]

You are welcome.

[@nealharrison-brown7148]

Really well explained

[@AileenEllisPMPPgMP]

Thank you.

[@michaelbotticelli8082]

Aileen, thank you for this. Just to confirm. Are you using the one method as shown on page 211 of the PMBOK 6th edition? I ask because do you find the exam asks for the one method more than the zero method? I know as a PM we need to understand both methods I just wanted to clarify your method. Thank you

[@AileenEllisPMPPgMP]

Yes I am! I would use the 1 method (not the 0 method) on the PMP Exam. No need to know both. You are very welcome. Have you tried our new app? apps.apple.com/us/app/pmp-exam-prep-with-aileen/id1570349699

[@rebeccaroberts1658]

Where does the +/-1 come from?? Is this a rule. I was not taugh this way and I am soo confused. I understand float but don't understand the one - How do you know when to use +/-1??

[@rebeccaroberts1658]

I found your other video - thank jesus that makes sense!!

[@aminbeydoun6293]

Thank you so much this was very clear! While calculating the free float for activity B, why did you chose activity D as the successor versus activity E which is on the critical path? Should we always choose the next activity not on the critical path? Thanks in advance

[@aminbeydoun6293]

Patrick, thank you so much for that valuable confirmation. Yes it certainly does.

[@chevieosephen198]

And I think the "early start" of the next successor activity is key in defining Free Float. In this case, successor Activity D had the earliest start (day-9) compared to the early start (day-13) of successor Activity E.

[@suhaibabdelazeem6181]

Thanks

[@AileenEllisPMPPgMP]

You are welcome.

[@Larwai]

Excellent thanks,

[@nebrasradaideh3456]

Can the activity start on Day zero ?! i know it's weird but i saw it in one question and got me confused. Thanks

[@niaga1002]

Yes!

[@francaogochukwu6563]

You did a good job

[@AileenEllisPMPPgMP]

Only expect one or two of these questions on the exam. Glad the video helped you. For 200 plus videos and over 2,000 sample questions please see: www.aileenellis.com/course%2Fpmp-exam-online-self-study-program-aileen%2F

[@GowriShankar-sv2xu]

thank you a ton . understood for the first time

[@AileenEllisPMPPgMP]

You are welcome.

[@ibrahimcelebi1366]

Great ! thank you

[@TiMalice2009]

Perfect example. Thank you.

[@AileenEllisPMPPgMP]

You are welcome.

[@wklo7159]

very well explained. Thank You :)

[@AileenEllisPMPPgMP]

You are most welcome.

[@suhaibabdelazeem6181]

thnx very very much now am understanding critical path clearly

[@AileenEllisPMPPgMP]

I am glad this video helped you. If you email me your email address at [e-mail] I will tell you how to get access to my live online training for free.

[@patelricky0928]

Thank you! Awesome video

[@AileenEllisPMPPgMP]

You are welcome.

[@Bessiiii]

Thank you so much, this was very helpful 👌

[@AileenEllisPMPPgMP]

So glad this video helped you.

[@aledanniel]

Thank you!!!

[@arvindpathak49]

Awesome! Thank you!!

[@AileenEllisPMPPgMP]

You are welcome.

[@ALgspisht]

Well done

[@AileenEllisPMPPgMP]

Thank you.

[@SD-cu2gs]

Nice and clear. Thank you.

[@AileenEllisPMPPgMP]

You are welcome.

[@francaogochukwu6563]

Starting the activity on day zero instead of 1 makes the cal simpler.

[@AileenEllisPMPPgMP]

HI. PMI starts with 1 in the PBMOK Guide and therefore I do it the same way. Realize on the PMP exam, if you are given a word problem, depending on how the problem is worded, you may get it wrong if you start with a 0. If you start with a 1, and solve correctly, you would get every question on this topic right.

[@francaogochukwu6563]

@@AileenEllisPMPPgMP wow! I did not realise that. Thanks, will keep that in mind. My exam is March 2. This was really helpful. Wish me success.

[@gboladey]

very nice

[@utkarshsodagar2674]

Awesome.

[@AileenEllisPMPPgMP]

Thank you.

[@suryadhakal1715]

I am very interested in WHY THE RIGHT IS RIGHT AND WHY THE WRONGS ARE WRONG

[@AileenEllisPMPPgMP]

If you are interested in scheduling here is a book that may help you: www.amazon.com/every-Network-Diagram-question-right/dp/1503118053/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1481568498&sr=8-4&keywords=aileen+ellis

[@ctlips061073]

I personally feel that you’re making this more complicated than necessary by starting with ‘1’ in the early start block for activity ‘A’. I was taught, and use it to this day managing projects, to start with ‘0’ and avoid having to subtract the ‘1’ every time. The philosophy behind that is very simple; don’t create more work for yourself than necessary. If instead of starting with ‘1’ in the early start block, you start with ‘0’, every single early finish number will match the answers you’ve provided here. Just a suggestion, although, if this way works better for folks, then by all means continue. Regardless of how you arrive at your critical path numbers, the importance of the exercise is to give your project a solid timeline with definition that makes sense. I just noticed a few folks that were having trouble to begin with and thought if there’s anyway to simplify this even more I should speak up. Carry on and thanks for the contribution.

[@AileenEllisPMPPgMP]

Thanks for your comment. I agree that starting with a zero is easier for sure. That being said, if I start with a zero all my early start numbers will be different. If PMI gives us a word problem on the exam that includes early start numbers, we will get the question wrong if we start with a zero. Therefore I have chosen to start with a one the way PMI does. It will always lead to the right answer, regardless of how PMI sets up the question. Also this method matches the method described in the PMBOK® Guide. As a Registered Education Provider (R.E.P.) it is important that I do not contract the PMBOK® Guide. Thanks for your comment... and I don't disagree. I want to provide a method though, that will always work on the exam.

[@ALgspisht]

@@AileenEllisPMPPgMP Great response to lesser knowledgeable persons including me

[@craigdonavon]

really simple

[@AileenEllisPMPPgMP]

Hi. My goal is to simplify all the content on the PMP Exam so it is easy to understand and apply. Thanks for your comment.

[@centralbears3010]

oops 12-3+1........Typo