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View critical path method chart to monitor study activities

In CTMS, the Critical Path Method (CPM) chart for a study represents the sequence of key tasks or activities that directly impact the project's overall timeline. This visualization helps project managers identify which tasks are crucial and require priority attention to keep the study on track.

Important

Note that until you add milestones and activities, no data is displayed in the Gantt chart.

To view the critical path method chart to monitor study activities

  1. Access the study management page in one of the following ways:

    • In the CTMS application header, select the DASHBOARD tab and then select the study dashboard of your interest.

      Accessing study management from dashboard
      Figure 1. Accessing study management from dashboard

    • In the CTMS application header, select the STUDY MANAGEMENT tab. Then from the Study Data List table, select the study name of your interest.

      Accessing study management from study data list
      Figure 2. Accessing study management from study data list

  2. On the study page that opens, in the left pane, select Project Management > Critical Path Method.

  3. In the chart that appears, view the activities insights. Each box represents an activity, such as Drug Dispensation, Adverse Event Reporting, and so on.

    The lines connecting the tasks indicate the critical path:

    • Blue solid lines signify the critical path meaning these tasks must be completed on schedule to avoid delaying the entire project.

    • Gray dotted lines indicate non-critical path tasks.

    Additionally, the Duration Days of Whole Study field in the top right indicates the total project duration populated by summing up the duration days of all activities that are part of the critical path.

    Viewing critical path method chart
    Figure 3. Viewing critical path method chart

    Tip

    Hover over a box to see activity details, like, activity's name, ID, as well as earliest possible time this activity can start (ES), the earliest possible time the activity can be completed (EF), and so on.

    Previewing activity information
    Figure 4. Previewing activity information

Once viewed the sequence of key tasks or activities, you can now better assess the impact on the project's overall timeline and adjust the activities and milestones timeline accordingly, if needed.

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