If any task along a critical path falls behind schedule, what will be the impact on the project?

Choosing the option that states the entire project will be delayed reflects the fundamental principle of project management associated with the critical path method (CPM). The critical path consists of tasks that directly impact the project’s finish date; these are the activities with no slack time, meaning any delay in tasks on this path will subsequently delay the overall project timeline.

When a task on the critical path is delayed, it cannot be compensated for by speeding up other tasks, as there is no flexibility in the schedule. Therefore, if any of these essential tasks fall behind, the project cannot meet its planned completion date, leading to an overall delay for the project. Understanding this relationship between the critical path and the project timeline is crucial for effective project scheduling and management.