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Templates · Project planning

Free Critical Path Method Template (Sheets, Excel, PDF)

A critical path template helps you run the critical path method: list activities, durations and predecessors, calculate early and late dates and float, and find the chain of activities that sets the project's end date.

Written byProject management editorial team
  • Published
  • Google Sheets · Excel · PDF
critical path template

Free download · no sign-up

Get the critical path template

Pick your level and format: Google Sheets, Excel or a print-ready PDF. Spreadsheets include dropdowns, formulas and sample rows you can overwrite.

Beginner

Essential columns only, one tab. Quick to fill in.

1 tab · 6 columns

GSheetsXExcelPPDF
AdvancedMost popular

The full template with every tab, dropdowns and formulas.

1 tab · 10 columns

GSheetsXExcelPPDF
Expert

Adds instructions and revision history.

1 data tab + instructions and revision history

GSheetsXExcelPPDF

Critical Path Template preview

CPM
ActivityDescriptionDurationPredecessorsESEFLSLFTotal floatCritical?
ARequirements404040Yes
BDesign3A47470Yes
CProcure hardware2A468104No
DBuild5B7127120Yes
EInstall hardware2C6810124No
FTest and launch2D, E121412140Yes

Sample rows are examples: replace them with your own.

What's included

  • Worked six-activity example (critical path A-B-D-F, 14 days)
  • Formulas for EF, LF, total float and a critical flag
  • CPM: Activity, Description, Duration, Predecessors, ES, EF, LS, LF, Total float, Critical?

How to use the critical path template

  1. List activities, durations (days) and predecessors.
  2. Forward pass: ES = the largest EF of all predecessors (0 for the first); EF = ES + duration.
  3. Backward pass: LF of the last activity = its EF; LS = LF − duration; work backwards using the smallest LS of successors.
  4. Total float = LS − ES; activities with zero float are critical.
  5. Focus monitoring on the critical path; see forward and backward pass.

Tips for getting the most from it

  • Re-run the calculation when durations change.
  • Watch near-critical paths with little float.
  • Use schedule compression only on critical activities.
  • Software calculates CPM automatically for large projects.

Learn more

Frequently asked questions

What is a critical path template?

A critical path template is a table for applying the critical path method: activities, durations, predecessors, early and late dates and float.

Is this critical path template free?

Yes. The critical path template is free in Google Sheets, Excel and PDF.

How do I find the critical path with the critical path template?

Do the forward and backward passes; activities with zero total float form the critical path.

What do ES, EF, LS and LF mean in a critical path template?

Early start, early finish, late start and late finish of each activity.

How is float calculated in the critical path template?

Total float = LS − ES (or LF − EF).

Can I use the critical path template as a critical path analysis template?

Yes. It works as a critical path analysis template for small and medium networks.

Is there a critical path method template in Excel?

Yes. Download the .xlsx critical path method template with built-in float formulas.

Can a project have two critical paths in the critical path template?

Yes. If two chains have zero float, both are critical.

What is the critical path in the critical path template example?

A-B-D-F, with a project duration of 14 days.

When should I use software instead of a critical path template?

For networks with dozens of activities, scheduling software calculates the critical path automatically.

What is the difference between the beginner, advanced and expert critical path template?

The beginner critical path template keeps only the essential columns on one tab; the advanced version is the full template with every tab, dropdown and formula; the expert version adds instructions and revision history.