A Critical Look at Critical Chain Project Management

Abstract

Critical Chain Project Management (CCPM) has emerged in the last few years as a novel approach for managing projects. In this paper the authors analyze the principles of CCPM, starting with a review of its key elements: reduction of duration estimates; buffer calculations; task completion notification; progress measurement; and priority setting. The authors continue with a CCPM critical analysis using evidence in the research literature and in practice. The points addressed include duration estimation practices, project network structure, stability of the critical chain, resource productivity under multi-tasking, and the project's organizational and operational environment. The place that CCPM occupies in the broader project management context and the costs associated with its adoption are also considered. The authors' conclusion is that although CCPM has a number of valuable concepts, it does not provide a complete solution to project management needs, and that organizations should be very careful about the exclusion of conventional project management techniques.