Critical Path Test (DCMA Point 12 - "Critical Path Test" Assessment)
SSI Tools Counts:
All items on the Critical Path from beginning to end. Pass/Fail test is determined by the introduction an intentional slip of 600 standard working days into the remaining duration of first task on the Critical Path. A project fails this test if the last task on the Critical Path does not also slip by 600 standard working days*
*SSI Tools scoring of this assessment is different than the DCMA
DCMA randomly selects a task on the critical path and enters 600 days as its remaining duration. If the project finish date (or completion milestone) does not slip by the same amount of the increase to the tasks remaining duration, DCMA assumes the project contains broken logic and scores this test as a failed.
SSI Tools ensures that the critical path is tested from end-to-end (by starting at the beginning of the Critical Path stream and testing at the end of the Critical Path stream). SSI Tools recommends that you establish your Critical Path using SSI Critical Path tools. By establishing your critical path, you ensure that relevant tasks are the only ones evaluated. Irrelevant tasks could include wait periods, support (level or effort) tasks, project close-out tasks or tasks in the schedule that have no bearing on due dates or deliverables.
The purpose is to test the integrity of the overall network logic and, in particular, the critical path. If the project completion date (or other milestone) is not delayed in direct proportion (assuming zero float) to the amount of intentional slip that is introduced into the schedule as part of this test, then there is broken logic somewhere in the network. Broken logic is the result of missing predecessors and/or successors on tasks where they are needed. The IMS passes the Critical Path Test if the project completion date (or other task/milestone) show a negative total float number or a revised Early Finish date that is in direct proportion (assuming zero float) to the amount of intentional slip applied.
