Critical Chain Components Introduction

In this article the "Critical Chain Components Section" is explained. The Critical Chain is affected as a result of:

• Task behavior, like "Fixed Duration" 
• Constraints on tasks their are part of the the Critical Chain, like a deadline or Finish no later than constraint
• Resources that are assigned to a task, which is scheduled in a non-availability period (like training or vacation)
• Mixing of Calendars for skills or resources, within the same project 

You can find the Critical Chain component section within the Project Statistics panel, after opening a project:

The Critical Chain Components Sections helps project managers quickly to analyze the composition of the Critical Chain and the potential for shortening or optimizing the Critical Chain. 

Definitions

LYNX identifies the following Critical Chain Components:

• Fixed Duration: the number of days on the Critical Chain, linked to task with a "fixed duration" 
• Non working days: the number of days on the Critical Chain as a result of non-availability period of a skill or resource, but which expands the duration of the Critical Chain 
• Touchtime: the number of days on the Critical Chain, excluding the Non working days (see above)
• Gap(s): the number of days between two sections of a Critical Chain, caused by placing a Constraint or a Deadline, splitting the Critical Chain

This article contains the following examples:

• Non-Working Days / Fixed Duration Days 
• Tony Martin has a 4 day calendar 
• Tim Jones is working 5 days a week, but only 4 hours per day (50%)
• "Gap" as a result of a constraint
• Negative "Non-Working" days

Critical Chain Components Examples

Non working days / Fixed Duration Example

The following data is used in the picture below:

• Integration Task:
  • Estimated Time = 10 days/80 hours
  • John Degenkolb is assigned to this task, however he is not available for 5 days
• Fixed duration task of 10 days

The project statistics panel will now show the following information:

Resource (Tony Martin) has a calendar of 4 days per week

Resource (Tim Jones) is working part-time (50 %)

Example (1) with a "Gap" of 5 days

Example (2) with a "Gap" from a Deadline

Example with all "Components"

Non working days can have a negative value

Project Statistics Differences - by Project Status

The Project Status Panel information varies by Project Status. The Critical Chain Components section remains identical: