The critical path is the set of interrelated activities that must be completed for the project to be finished successfully. In the context of product development, the critical path can be mapped into a chart showing how long each task takes and which tasks cannot be started before which other tasks are completed. The critical path is the set of linkages through the chart that is the longest. It determines how long a project will take.
A critical path is a tool that can be used to manage the development of a product. By mapping out the tasks that need to be completed, and the dependencies between them, it is possible to see which tasks are on the critical path and which are not. This information can then be used to manage the project by ensuring that the tasks on the critical path are given priority and that any risks to those tasks are identified and addressed.