Critical Path Network Software

Abstract

Undoubtedly, much of the power of critical path network techniques is due to the fact that there exist powerful and reliable user-friendly implementations of the techniques for use on personal computers (PCs). Prior to the introduction of such implementations, it was virtually impossible, in many situations, for a manager to work interactively with a critical path network model: the available technology meant that critical path work was kept ‘in the realm of minicomputers, if computers were used at all, and expert staff’ (Gallagher 1997, p. 494). Computers were non-portable, so that even if one possessed the necessary expertise, there was little scope for their use in the field. Consequently, the simplest changes to a model might take hours, days, or even weeks to effect.