Critical Path

Display the Critical Path

1. Open your schedule with tasks that have dependencies.
2. Navigate to Scheduling and select your preferred view (Takt Time, Flowline, Gantt, or Network).
3. Click the Critical Path icon in the toolbar.
4. Click the Critical Path icon again to hide the critical path.

Note: Tasks and dependency lines on the critical path are highlighted in red by default.

Show Critical Path from Selected Tasks

1. Click the Critical Path icon to display the critical path.
2. Click the Critical Path Selection icon in the toolbar menu.
3. Select Show critical path from selected tasks.
4. Click a task to view its specific critical path.
5. Click Show critical path from selected tasks again to return to the full critical path view.

Ignore Tasks Without Dependencies

1. Click the Critical Path icon to display the critical path.
2. Click the Critical Path Selection icon in the toolbar menu.
3. Select Ignore tasks without dependencies.
4. Delete dependencies from a task to remove it from the critical path view.

View Float in Table View

1. Navigate to Scheduling > Table.
2. Right-click the header row.
3. Select Columns and enable Float.
4. Expand a task to view its float value (displayed in days).

Tip: Float represents the amount of time a task can be delayed without affecting the project finish date. Tasks on the critical path typically have zero float.

Customize Critical Path Visibility

Dim Tasks Not on Critical Path

1. Click the Critical Path icon to display the critical path.
2. Open Visibility Options in the toolbar.
3. Select Dim tasks not on critical path.

Show Tasks on Critical Path as Red

1. Click the Critical Path icon to display the critical path.
2. Open Visibility Options in the toolbar.
3. Select Show tasks on critical path as red.

Outline Tasks on Critical Path

1. Click the Critical Path icon to display the critical path.
2. Open Visibility Options in the toolbar.
3. Select Outline tasks on critical path.

Understanding Critical Path Behavior

How the Critical Path Updates

When you create a new task at the end of your project timeline, the critical path automatically updates to include the new task. This update appears across all schedule views.

Critical Path Scenarios

The critical path adjusts based on task relationships and constraints:

• Moving tasks: When you move a task and select "Move and disable ASAP," tasks without date constraints may no longer appear on the critical path.
• Internal buffers: Adding an internal buffer to a task affects which sub-locations appear on the critical path.
• Duration changes: Modifying individual sub-location durations may impact the critical path calculation.

Tactplan Schedule - Plans_Scheduling - Critical path (2.4.1)