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

In this video Aileen reviews the topic of the critical path method (CPM) for the PMP Exam. Aileen performs a forward pass and a backward pass. She explains early start, early finish, late start and late finish. She calculates the project duration, the total float, the free float as well as project float. These are very typical questions for the PMP Exam and the CAPM Exam.
For more PMP Exam questions please go to www.aileenellis.com or email aileen at aileen@aileenellis.com.

Пікірлер: 123

  • @myramyra2
    @myramyra27 ай бұрын

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

  • @jenniferklein9864
    @jenniferklein98644 жыл бұрын

    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

    @AileenEllisPMPPgMP

    4 жыл бұрын

    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?

  • @christolpowell5682
    @christolpowell56823 жыл бұрын

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

  • @paulaallison5811
    @paulaallison58115 жыл бұрын

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

  • @AileenEllisPMPPgMP

    @AileenEllisPMPPgMP

    5 жыл бұрын

    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

  • @ellebee5498
    @ellebee54985 жыл бұрын

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

  • @AileenEllisPMPPgMP

    @AileenEllisPMPPgMP

    4 жыл бұрын

    Glad you like my videos.

  • @keenahall5991
    @keenahall59915 жыл бұрын

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

  • @AileenEllisPMPPgMP

    @AileenEllisPMPPgMP

    4 жыл бұрын

    Thank you.

  • @AjeshRamakrishnan
    @AjeshRamakrishnan4 жыл бұрын

    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

    @AileenEllisPMPPgMP

    4 жыл бұрын

    I'm so glad! Congratulations.

  • @sciencemaster4815
    @sciencemaster4815 Жыл бұрын

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

  • @faradjian
    @faradjian4 жыл бұрын

    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

    @AileenEllisPMPPgMP

    4 жыл бұрын

    So glad this video helped you. It is an old one of mine. Send me your email at aileen@amegroupinc.com so I can invite you to free PMP Exam Online training. Aileen

  • @marmaripak9354
    @marmaripak93545 жыл бұрын

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

  • @AileenEllisPMPPgMP

    @AileenEllisPMPPgMP

    4 жыл бұрын

    Thank you.

  • @CecilDSouza
    @CecilDSouza8 жыл бұрын

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

  • @AileenEllisPMPPgMP

    @AileenEllisPMPPgMP

    4 жыл бұрын

    You are welcome.

  • @candicebessette2568
    @candicebessette25684 жыл бұрын

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

  • @AileenEllisPMPPgMP

    @AileenEllisPMPPgMP

    4 жыл бұрын

    Thank you. Good luck on your exam.

  • @oxparadiixo
    @oxparadiixo4 жыл бұрын

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

  • @AileenEllisPMPPgMP

    @AileenEllisPMPPgMP

    4 жыл бұрын

    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/

  • @Minds-The-Master
    @Minds-The-Master4 жыл бұрын

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

  • @AileenEllisPMPPgMP

    @AileenEllisPMPPgMP

    4 жыл бұрын

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

  • @whereisalimaher
    @whereisalimaher9 жыл бұрын

    Excellent and very well explained! Thank you Aileen!

  • @AileenEllisPMPPgMP

    @AileenEllisPMPPgMP

    4 жыл бұрын

    You are welcome.

  • @stevenkunde7427
    @stevenkunde7427 Жыл бұрын

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

  • @AileenEllisPMPPgMP

    @AileenEllisPMPPgMP

    Жыл бұрын

    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

    @stevenkunde7427

    Жыл бұрын

    @@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. 😀😀

  • @KeyToTheHighwayBluesRockinBand
    @KeyToTheHighwayBluesRockinBand6 жыл бұрын

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

  • @AileenEllisPMPPgMP

    @AileenEllisPMPPgMP

    4 жыл бұрын

    You are welcome.

  • @evelynekoumtingue7093
    @evelynekoumtingue70936 жыл бұрын

    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

    @AileenEllisPMPPgMP

    4 жыл бұрын

    You are welcome.

  • @jabirat
    @jabirat8 жыл бұрын

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

  • @AileenEllisPMPPgMP

    @AileenEllisPMPPgMP

    4 жыл бұрын

    You are welcome.

  • @debbiebritt9237
    @debbiebritt92378 жыл бұрын

    Best C-Path video out there!

  • @AileenEllisPMPPgMP

    @AileenEllisPMPPgMP

    4 жыл бұрын

    Thank you.

  • @syedsharifuddin7978
    @syedsharifuddin79787 жыл бұрын

    Nicely elaborated. Thank you so much.

  • @AileenEllisPMPPgMP

    @AileenEllisPMPPgMP

    7 жыл бұрын

    You are welcome.

  • @romannagel2414
    @romannagel24149 жыл бұрын

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

  • @AileenEllisPMPPgMP

    @AileenEllisPMPPgMP

    4 жыл бұрын

    You are welcome.

  • @sophneel
    @sophneel3 жыл бұрын

    Thanks a lot, Aileen!!

  • @hpramono20
    @hpramono203 жыл бұрын

    Thank you... you explained very clear..

  • @sujatarana2864
    @sujatarana28644 жыл бұрын

    Excellent tutorial! Many thanks!

  • @AileenEllisPMPPgMP

    @AileenEllisPMPPgMP

    4 жыл бұрын

    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.

  • @francaogochukwu6563
    @francaogochukwu65634 жыл бұрын

    You did a great job! Weldone!

  • @AileenEllisPMPPgMP

    @AileenEllisPMPPgMP

    4 жыл бұрын

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

  • @TiMalice2009
    @TiMalice20096 жыл бұрын

    Perfect example. Thank you.

  • @AileenEllisPMPPgMP

    @AileenEllisPMPPgMP

    4 жыл бұрын

    You are welcome.

  • @witakajulius5898
    @witakajulius58985 жыл бұрын

    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

    @AileenEllisPMPPgMP

    4 жыл бұрын

    Glad the video makes sense to you.

  • @mikyafreh4351
    @mikyafreh43513 жыл бұрын

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

  • @AileenEllisPMPPgMP

    @AileenEllisPMPPgMP

    3 жыл бұрын

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

  • @scottjeffries6826

    @scottjeffries6826

    3 жыл бұрын

    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.

  • @sankarand9728
    @sankarand97284 жыл бұрын

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

  • @AileenEllisPMPPgMP

    @AileenEllisPMPPgMP

    4 жыл бұрын

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

  • @benabdillahthounayane1235
    @benabdillahthounayane12353 жыл бұрын

    Thank you so much. Very helpful content

  • @GowriShankar-sv2xu
    @GowriShankar-sv2xu6 жыл бұрын

    thank you a ton . understood for the first time

  • @AileenEllisPMPPgMP

    @AileenEllisPMPPgMP

    4 жыл бұрын

    You are welcome.

  • @patelricky0928
    @patelricky09289 жыл бұрын

    Thank you! Awesome video

  • @AileenEllisPMPPgMP

    @AileenEllisPMPPgMP

    4 жыл бұрын

    You are welcome.

  • @boston7704
    @boston77047 жыл бұрын

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

  • @AileenEllisPMPPgMP

    @AileenEllisPMPPgMP

    7 жыл бұрын

    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

    @boston7704

    7 жыл бұрын

    I'd be happy to, Aileen.

  • @wklo7159
    @wklo71594 жыл бұрын

    very well explained. Thank You :)

  • @AileenEllisPMPPgMP

    @AileenEllisPMPPgMP

    4 жыл бұрын

    You are most welcome.

  • @robertduda4234
    @robertduda42344 жыл бұрын

    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

    @AileenEllisPMPPgMP

    4 жыл бұрын

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

  • @robertduda4234

    @robertduda4234

    4 жыл бұрын

    @@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

    @AileenEllisPMPPgMP

    4 жыл бұрын

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

  • @Bessiiii
    @Bessiiii4 жыл бұрын

    Thank you so much, this was very helpful 👌

  • @AileenEllisPMPPgMP

    @AileenEllisPMPPgMP

    4 жыл бұрын

    So glad this video helped you.

  • @nataliejmeador2468
    @nataliejmeador24684 жыл бұрын

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

  • @AileenEllisPMPPgMP

    @AileenEllisPMPPgMP

    4 жыл бұрын

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

  • @nataliemeador9034

    @nataliemeador9034

    4 жыл бұрын

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

  • @AileenEllisPMPPgMP

    @AileenEllisPMPPgMP

    4 жыл бұрын

    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? Aileen@amegroupinc.com

  • @nataliemeador9034

    @nataliemeador9034

    4 жыл бұрын

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

  • @ibrahimcelebi1366
    @ibrahimcelebi13662 жыл бұрын

    Great ! thank you

  • @Larwai
    @Larwai2 жыл бұрын

    Excellent thanks,

  • @arvindpathak49
    @arvindpathak496 жыл бұрын

    Awesome! Thank you!!

  • @AileenEllisPMPPgMP

    @AileenEllisPMPPgMP

    4 жыл бұрын

    You are welcome.

  • @timfleming5523
    @timfleming55234 жыл бұрын

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

  • @AileenEllisPMPPgMP

    @AileenEllisPMPPgMP

    4 жыл бұрын

    Yes, absolutely. Please check out the 2nd part of this video and see if it helps you.kzread.info/dash/bejne/p3h2j9huYb2zYMY.html

  • @centralbears3010
    @centralbears30103 жыл бұрын

    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?

  • @SD-cu2gs
    @SD-cu2gs6 жыл бұрын

    Nice and clear. Thank you.

  • @AileenEllisPMPPgMP

    @AileenEllisPMPPgMP

    4 жыл бұрын

    You are welcome.

  • @suhaibabdelazeem6181
    @suhaibabdelazeem61816 жыл бұрын

    thnx very very much now am understanding critical path clearly

  • @AileenEllisPMPPgMP

    @AileenEllisPMPPgMP

    6 жыл бұрын

    I am glad this video helped you. If you email me your email address at aileen@amegroupinc.com I will tell you how to get access to my live online training for free.

  • @nealharrison-brown7148
    @nealharrison-brown71483 жыл бұрын

    Really well explained

  • @AileenEllisPMPPgMP

    @AileenEllisPMPPgMP

    3 жыл бұрын

    Thank you.

  • @aledanniel
    @aledanniel3 жыл бұрын

    Thank you!!!

  • @eniolaodugbesan866
    @eniolaodugbesan8664 жыл бұрын

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

  • @aminbeydoun6293
    @aminbeydoun62937 жыл бұрын

    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

    @aminbeydoun6293

    7 жыл бұрын

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

  • @chevieosephen198

    @chevieosephen198

    6 жыл бұрын

    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

    @suhaibabdelazeem6181

    6 жыл бұрын

    Thanks

  • @AileenEllisPMPPgMP

    @AileenEllisPMPPgMP

    4 жыл бұрын

    You are welcome.

  • @francaogochukwu6563
    @francaogochukwu65634 жыл бұрын

    You did a good job

  • @AileenEllisPMPPgMP

    @AileenEllisPMPPgMP

    4 жыл бұрын

    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

  • @michaelbotticelli8082
    @michaelbotticelli80823 жыл бұрын

    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

    @AileenEllisPMPPgMP

    3 жыл бұрын

    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

  • @gboladey
    @gboladey3 жыл бұрын

    very nice

  • @DonkorPerez
    @DonkorPerez Жыл бұрын

    @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.

  • @chanderjyoti504
    @chanderjyoti5043 жыл бұрын

    Well done

  • @AileenEllisPMPPgMP

    @AileenEllisPMPPgMP

    3 жыл бұрын

    Thank you.

  • @nebrasradaideh3456
    @nebrasradaideh34563 жыл бұрын

    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

    @niaga1002

    3 жыл бұрын

    Yes!

  • @utkarshsodagar2674
    @utkarshsodagar26745 жыл бұрын

    Awesome.

  • @AileenEllisPMPPgMP

    @AileenEllisPMPPgMP

    4 жыл бұрын

    Thank you.

  • @rebeccaroberts1658
    @rebeccaroberts16583 жыл бұрын

    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

    @rebeccaroberts1658

    3 жыл бұрын

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

  • @craigdonavon
    @craigdonavon7 жыл бұрын

    really simple

  • @AileenEllisPMPPgMP

    @AileenEllisPMPPgMP

    7 жыл бұрын

    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.

  • @suryadhakal1715
    @suryadhakal17157 жыл бұрын

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

  • @AileenEllisPMPPgMP

    @AileenEllisPMPPgMP

    7 жыл бұрын

    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

  • @francaogochukwu6563
    @francaogochukwu65634 жыл бұрын

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

  • @AileenEllisPMPPgMP

    @AileenEllisPMPPgMP

    4 жыл бұрын

    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

    @francaogochukwu6563

    4 жыл бұрын

    @@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.

  • @ctlips061073
    @ctlips0610734 жыл бұрын

    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

    @AileenEllisPMPPgMP

    4 жыл бұрын

    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.

  • @chanderjyoti504

    @chanderjyoti504

    3 жыл бұрын

    @@AileenEllisPMPPgMP Great response to lesser knowledgeable persons including me

  • @centralbears3010
    @centralbears30103 жыл бұрын

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