Critical path software

Q: What templates should I use to get started?

We have over 1,000 templates to choose from, including project network diagrams, PERT charts, work breakdown structures, Gantt charts, Kanban boards, timelines, and other popular project management diagrams.

Q: How do I apply formulas to shapes in my CPM chart?

Use the data panel on the left side of your canvas to add custom fields with specific formulas where needed. You can apply calculations to individual shapes or grouped shapes.

Q: Can I show original and new critical paths within the same diagram?

Apply Layers to your chart to depict your original and updated critical paths within the same document. You can use Hotspots to easily bounce between your layers.

Q: Where can I find more information about the Critical Path Method?

Follow the link below to read our in-depth guide on the Critical Path Method.

Lucidchart is an intelligent diagramming application that makes creating a CPM diagram easy with drag-and-drop shapes, ready-to-use templates, and more.

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Optimize project management with the critical path method

Create a CPM chart to visualize and scope project tasks

The critical path method is a standard technique used to identify and schedule the sequence of critical tasks and events that determine the duration and completion of a project. A clearly outlined critical path lets project managers and stakeholders efficiently manage expectations and deadlines from the outset of the project. Use our critical path generator to easily envision your entire project outline. You can calculate time durations, determine the importance of individual tasks, and compare planned and actual progress of your project through completion.

Visualize and Scope Critical path method in Lucidchart

Add formulas to shapes for an automated critical path experience

Lucidchart’s intuitive diagramming features, customizable templates, and easy-to-use formulas support a more innovative approach to project management. Our CPM software lets project managers visualize and measure progress at a glance with automatically updated dates and task durations. Save yourself the time and hassle of updating your entire critical path diagram, also known as a project network diagram, manually. Add formulas and custom data fields to shapes that will update proceeding values in real time based on changes you make in any location of your project flow.

Collaborate and share to create universal understanding amongst stakeholders

Collaborate and Share your critical path method diagram with Lucidchart

Access, edit, and share your CPM chart using powerful integrations

Lucidchart feature highlights

Real-time collaboration

Streamline work by enabling multiple collaborators to create and edit the same diagram at once.

Data linking

Conditional formatting

Layers

Revision history

Shape libraries

AI prompt flow

Lucidchart feature highlights

Streamline work by enabling multiple collaborators to create and edit the same diagram at once.

Explore our critical path method templates

Vertical PERT Chart Template

Go to Vertical PERT Chart Template template

Network Diagram (PERT Chart) Template

Go to Network Diagram (PERT Chart) Template template

PERT chart example

Go to PERT chart example template

Getting started in Lucidchart

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Getting Started in Lucidchart

Follow along with this video tutorial and learn how to make any type of diagram in Lucidchart.

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Why teams choose Lucidchart

As an intelligent diagramming application, Lucidchart provides simple yet powerful capabilities for visualizing information.

Collaboration. Bring teams together side by side on a shared canvas from anywhere in the world.

Alignment. Build transparency and shared understanding of how a team or company works.

Large-scale change. Increase visibility, standardization, and knowledge sharing across your entire org.

End-to-end workflows. Upgrade to the Lucid Suite for a complete, connected visual collaboration solution.

What is critical path method?

If your team is like most, it has several projects competing for attention with multiple contingencies and fixes looming on the horizon. Often used along with PERT charts, the critical path method, or CPM, prioritizes the most crucial tasks first to keep projects in line and on time. Since the 1950s, critical path project management has provided the ability to outline a project’s longest sequence of tasks, referred to as the critical path, so project managers can determine the minimum amount of time a project will take.