Graphical path method

The Graphical Path Method (GPM) is a mathematically based algorithm used in project management for planning, scheduling and resource control. GPM represents logical relationships of dated objects – such as activities, milestones, and benchmarks – in a time-scaled network diagram.

The Graphical Path Method (GPM) is a mathematically based algorithm used in project management for planning, scheduling and resource control. GPM represents logical relationships of dated objects – such as activities, milestones, and benchmarks – in a time-scaled network diagram. == Technique== To create a GPM schedule, users draw and place objects – such as activities, milestones, and benchmarks – on a time-scaled canvas. Objects are linked together to establish logical, precedence relationships. These relationships are governed by the Logic Diagramming Method (LDM), a blend of the Arrow Diagramming Method (ADM) and the Precedence Diagramming Method (PDM). In total, LDM permits 12 relationship types to account for all possible dependencies between objects. The resulting web of logically related, dated objects and their relationships forms a network diagram. Object relationships form the backbone of a GPM network. They are used to calculate a number of object attributes, including link gap and object buffer, drift, and float. As objects and their relationships are added to or modified in the schedule, GPM continuously re-calculates and updates gap for all links and float for all dated objects. Link gaps are calculated from the dates of two related activities and floats are algorithmically calculated from gaps. ==Differences between GPM and CPM== The Critical Path Method (CPM) is the traditional mathematical algorithm used for schedule logic computation. GPM utilizes a different algorithm than CPM and thus produces its own distinct schedule attributes. ===Planned dates vs. early dates=== In a GPM network, objects not residing on the critical path, and thus having float, are permitted to be scheduled anywhere within their float range and are not forced to their early or late dates. This action in a GPM network is referred to as scheduling objects on planned dates. This is contrary to CPM logic, where a forward and backward pass algorithm defaults objects to their early dates, unless additional logic is introduced to constrain an object to a later date. GPM logic permits the as-planned scheduling framework because logic links retain their own attributes, namely gap. ===Schedule Attributes=== ===Real-time vs. sequential compiling=== CPM relies on activity dates as the basis for float calculations, where total float is determined by the difference between late finish dates and early finish dates. This requires a standby calculation engine to perform a forward pass and a backward pass of the entire network when planning ceases or when an interim calculation is necessary for further planning. The result is that planning and scheduling are separate processes performed in sequential order. In GPM's time-scaled framework, dates are innate, real-time attributes of network objects. This permits GPM to use the link gap between two objects for the float calculation and thus schedule data and object attributes are continuously updated in real-time, as changes to the schedule are committed. This allows for dynamic feedback from the schedule; users are permitted to execute schedule optimization, time and cost trade-offs, resource management and other analysis concurrently as the schedule is being built. ==See also== Construction management Project management Project management software Project planning Critical Path Method Gantt chart List of project management topics == References==

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