ALICE Technologies is excited to announce the release of criticality tools which will be accessible in all ALICE-generated schedules. This set of tools will provide customers with standard CPM metrics, such as float values and critical path identification, but also more insight into the real constraints behind each task link -- specifically if the task is driven by sequence or by resource requirements (labor/equipment/material). With this addition, ALICE customers will have access to much deeper information and understanding than currently available through conventional CPM products.
Simply put, in construction planning and scheduling, criticality refers to the “importance” of some tasks over others. It helps schedulers and project managers to understand which tasks, if delayed, will delay the project and which ones have a “buffer,” i.e. can be delayed without risking project completion. In preconstruction, the critical path provides confidence and validation around meeting schedule dates. It gives you "hindsight" on where you need to focus in order to maximize the chances of successful project delivery. ALICE can boost that confidence providing the necessary transparency so that you know what is driving the critical parts of your schedule. During the project execution phase, ALICE criticality tools can not only provide clear guidance on what work to prioritize when changes or delays happen, but also offer insight on what and how many resources will be needed to bring the project back on track and mitigate risk.
“This essential addition to ALICE enables customers to clearly understand the underlying reasons behind ‘why a task is critical’ by surfacing the specific components that drive it,” explained ALICE VP Product Dimitrios Farmakis.