PMP Preparation Course EVM & CPM Earned Value/Critical path

Master the precedence diagram method and network diagram by setting durations, tracing predecessors and successors, and performing forward and backward passes to locate the critical path.

Compute the forward pass in the precedence diagram to determine early start and early finish for each activity using predecessors, durations, and max values, then compare to the backward pass.

Master the backward pass in the precedence diagram by moving from right to left, calculating late finish and late start for each activity, and taking the minimum of successor starts.

Learn to calculate activity float in a precedence diagram, distinguishing total float and free float, using late and early start/finish dates to identify the zero float critical path.

Learn to highlight critical activities in a network diagram using CPM, so red tasks reveal the critical path and a one-day delay on any critical activity delays the whole project.

Learn how changing non-critical activity durations in a precedence diagram shifts the critical path by analyzing total float and when D and E become critical.

Develop earned value analysis in PMP projects by calculating EV (BCWP) and PV (BCWS) from the budget at completion and percent complete, and monitor CPI, SPI, CV, and SV.

Calculate schedule variance, spi, cost variance, and cpi by comparing earned value to planned value, and use the estimate to complete to assess performance against the baseline.

Calculate cost variance and CPI from earned value and actual cost. Interpret that a positive cost variance indicates savings and CPI above one signals savings while behind schedule.

Learn to compute the estimated to complete (ETC) in earned value management, using remaining work, BAC minus EV, and CPI times SPI adjusted formulas to forecast EAC.

Learn to compute the EAC by adding actual cost to estimate to complete, apply the ETC for unstarted activities, and compare with the budget at completion to assess cost performance.