The Intuitionistic Fuzzy Critical Path and Characteristics of a Project Network using an N-Array Tree Representation

Abstract

In project management, a critical path is the sequence of project network activities that add up to the largest overall duration, regardless of whether that longest duration has float or ergot.  This determines the shortest time to complete the project. Total float (unused time) can exist within the critical path.  The Critical Path Method(CPM) is one of the most frequently used and effective techniques in project planning. Fuzzy set theory has been proposed as an alternative methodology for measuring uncertainty related to pro ject activity duration.  In this paper, we identify the intuitionistic fuzzy critical path and project  characteristics using an n-array tree representation.  The total float of each activity is determined, and the earliest and latest times of each activity are found using total float with Intuitionistic Fuzzy Sets (IFS).This method is effective in finding project characteristics obtained using IFS  and the intuitionistic fuzzy critical path when compared to existing methods.