According to the PMBOKGuide, specifically within the Develop Schedule process, the Critical Path Method (CPM) is the primary technique used to estimate the minimum project duration and determine the amount of scheduling flexibility on the logical network paths within the schedule model.
* Determining Duration: CPM calculates the theoretical start and finish dates for all activities without regard for any resource limitations. By performing a forward and backward pass analysis through the schedule network, the project manager identifies the sequence of activities that represents the longest path through the project.
* The Critical Path: The " critical path " is the sequence of activities that determines the shortest time possible to complete the project. Any delay in an activity on the critical path will directly impact the project ' s finish date.
* Total Float: This method also identifies the " float " or " slack " (the amount of time an activity can be delayed without delaying the project finish date) for non-critical activities.
* Answering the Sponsor: When a sponsor asks " how soon " a project can be finished, the PM uses CPM to provide a data-driven completion date based on the logical sequence of work.
Analysis of other options:
* Scope baseline (Option A): This is a component of the project management plan that includes the project scope statement, WBS, and WBS dictionary. While it defines what work needs to be done, it does not provide information on when or how fast that work can be completed.
* Decomposition (Option B): This is a technique used in both Create WBS and Define Activities. It involves breaking down project deliverables into smaller, more manageable components. It is a prerequisite for scheduling but does not calculate the project duration itself.
* Work breakdown structure (Option D): The WBS is a deliverable-oriented hierarchical decomposition of the total scope. Like the scope baseline, it identifies the work packages but does not include the logical dependencies or durations required to calculate a project ' s end date.
Per PMI standards, the Critical Path Method is the essential tool for schedule analysis, providing the project manager with the specific date the project can be completed based on the current sequence of activities.