Interactive critical path analysis (ICPA)—microcomputer implementation of a project management and knowledge engineering tool

Abstract

The paper describes the implementation on a microcomputer of a personal level project management tool, which facilitates simple project network construction and analysis. The interactive critical path analysis system (ICPA), allows project networks to be drawn on the screen of a monitor via a joystick in a natural manner. ICPA therefore provides a powerful and easy to use planning tool for site engineers and the managers of small businesses. The authors are engaged in a programme of AI research leading to the definition of expert systems tools for the use of project managers. Accordingly they have sought to use ICPA as a knowledge engineering tool in conjunction with the elicitations and representation of knowledge educed from expert project managers. The paper describes the ease with which ICPA lends itself to the definition of an intelligent knowledge-based system applied to the project management domain.