Sofema Aviation Services (SAS) www.sassofia.com considers the use of Critical Path Analytical (CPA) Techniques in the EASA Part 145 Production Planning Environment.
- Part 145 AMO Production Planning Critical Path Analysis (CPA)
- Part 145 MRO Critical Path Workflow Analysis
Introduction
Critical Path Analysis (CPA)
CPA can significantly impact the efficiency and effectiveness of a project by providing accurate and timely information to support the effective accomplishment of the objectives.
- Critical path analysis is a project planning method that focuses on identifying tasks that are dependent on other tasks for their timely completion.
- Understanding the dependencies between tasks is key to setting a realistic deadline for a complex project.
- Critical path analysis is effective for highly complex projects.
- Critical path analysis identifies the sequence of crucial and interdependent steps that comprise a work plan from start to finish.
- CPA also identifies non-critical tasks. (whilst important, if they are delayed it will not adversely affect the outcome.
The whole premise of managing the critical path acknowledges that many of the required tasks can slip or be delayed without impacting the project’s delivery.
By the same token, some tasks must take place on the timeline otherwise they simply add delay to the project. Activities that cannot be delayed are said to be “critical”.
The core of analyzing a critical path is identifying both critical and noncritical tasks and how to schedule these tasks most effectively.
The goal is to reach the project deadline with the lowest cost possible. Analyzing a critical path involves identifying which tasks are dependent or independent of each other.
CPA uses the following approach:
- Identify all the tasks & activities which are necessary to complete the project.
- Determine the delivery order in which these tasks shall be accomplished in sequence.
- Identify the resources and the duration of each activity.
o Note – This step may require multiple visits as it is dependent on the available recourses.
- From the above information, the critical path is now available and we can understand the key sequence of connected activities from start to finish.
Software’s to support CPA
There are multiple software’s which can support CPA and the following are examples which you can try:
- lucidchart
- nTask
- Zoho Projects
- Wrike
- LiquidPlanner
The benefit of CPA
If you have calculated the critical path correctly, then you have three valuable pieces of information:
- The path(s) that determine the project’s delivery date.
- The path(s), which, if shortened, will allow you to deliver the project early.
- The path(s) that pose the highest risk to the schedule.
CPA Summary
- CPA is used to define all of the critical and non-critical tasks involved in a work plan and support the identification of both the minimum and the maximum amount of time associated with each.
- CPA recognizes dependencies among activities and considers the amount of float or slack time.
- CPA requires tracking of the project plan through the course of a project.
- The timeline in a CPA is often expressed as a Gantt chart.
Next Steps
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Sofema Aviation Services & Sofema Online offer multiple Production Planning & Maintenance Planning EASA Regulatory Compliant & Vocational Training. Please see the websites or email team@sassofia.com for additional details.
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aviation, Aviation Production Planning, EASA Part 145 Production Planning, Maintenance Planning, SAS blogs, Critical Path Analysis, Critical Path Analytical (CPA) Techniques, CPA, Aircraft Maintenance Production Planning
