CPM was developed by ______
Dupont Company
Understanding CPM Development
The question asks about the origin of the Critical Path Method (CPM). CPM is a widely used technique in project management for scheduling, organizing, and coordinating tasks within a project.
Let's examine the options provided regarding who developed CPM:
- Koontz and Weihrich: These authors are known for their work in management theory, particularly in the field of principles of management. They are not associated with the development of CPM.
- United States Navy and Lockheed Aircraft Corporation: This combination is associated with the development of a similar project management technique called PERT (Program Evaluation and Review Technique), not CPM. PERT was developed for the Polaris missile project.
- Dupont Company: The Dupont Company is indeed credited with the development of the Critical Path Method (CPM). It was developed internally in the late 1950s to help manage complex projects, particularly in maintenance and construction activities within their plants.
- Dale D. McConkey: Dale D. McConkey was a consultant and author known for his work in management effectiveness and performance management, not the development of CPM.
Based on the history of project management methodologies, the Critical Path Method (CPM) was developed by the Dupont Company around 1957-1958. It was initially used for scheduling shutdowns and maintenance work efficiently.
Therefore, the correct developer of CPM among the given options is the Dupont Company.
Key Points about CPM Development
- CPM was developed by the Dupont Company.
- Its development took place in the late 1950s.
- It was initially applied to maintenance projects.
- CPM is a deterministic model, meaning task durations are assumed to be known and fixed.
Revision Table: Project Management Techniques Origins
| Technique | Developer(s) | Approximate Year | Initial Application |
|---|---|---|---|
| Critical Path Method (CPM) | Dupont Company | Late 1950s | Plant Maintenance/Construction |
| Program Evaluation and Review Technique (PERT) | US Navy & Booz Allen Hamilton, Lockheed Corporation | Late 1950s | Polaris Missile Program |
Additional Information on Project Management Methods
Both CPM and PERT were developed around the same time and are fundamental techniques in project network analysis. While CPM assumes fixed activity durations, PERT uses probabilistic time estimates (optimistic, pessimistic, and most likely) to account for uncertainty, making it more suitable for research and development projects where timings are less certain. Despite their differences, both methods help identify the critical path – the sequence of activities that determines the shortest possible project duration. Understanding the origins of these methods like CPM helps appreciate their intended uses and evolution in project management practices.
Important Questions from Project Management
Factors which govern the operating cost of an equipment are :
1. Purchase price of the equipment
2. Depreciation due to regular use
3. Cost of operation, maintenance and repairs
Which of the above statements are correct ?
In Emerson's efficiency plan of wage incentive system, the bonus is paid to-
Match List I with List II
LIST I
(Project Network concepts)
LIST II
(Underlying meaning)
A. Crashing an activity I. Length of the longest path through the project network B. Project Network II. It shows the time and cost when the activity is fully crashed C. Critical path III. It consists of a number of nodes and a number of arcs that connects two different nodes D. Crash point IV. Taking special (costly) measures to reduce the duration of an activity below its normal value Choose the correct answer from the options given below:
The following statements relate to project network. Choose the correct code for the statements being correct or incorrect.
Statement I: An activity cannot be represented by more than one arrow, but an arrow can represent one or more activities.
Statement II : The activities in a critical path can be preponed or postponed.
A public limited company has 9,00,000 shares outstanding at current market price of Rs. 130 per share. The company needs Rs. 2.25 crores to finance its proposed new project. The board of the company has decided to issue rights shares to raise the required money at Rs. 75 per share (as subscription price) to ensure that the rights issue is fully subscribed. How many rights are required to purchase a new share ?
