Lesson Plan

• Describe the key elements of a network diagram and the meanings of ES, EF, LS, LF and slack.
• Apply forward‑pass and backward‑pass calculations to determine activity start/finish times.
• Identify the critical path and compute the minimum project duration for a given set of activities.
• Analyse common errors in CPA and explain how to avoid them.

• Projector and screen
• Whiteboard and markers
• Printed activity tables (example & practice)
• Network‑diagram worksheet (activity‑on‑node format)
• Calculators
• Student laptops or tablets (optional)

Begin with a short video clip of a product launch delayed by poor scheduling to hook interest. Ask students what information they need to plan a project effectively, linking to prior knowledge of Gantt charts. State that by the end of the lesson they will be able to construct a network diagram, run a CPA, and clearly identify the critical path and shortest possible completion time.

1. Do‑now (5'): Quick quiz on ES, EF, LS, LF and slack definitions.
2. Mini‑lecture (10'): Explain the six‑step CPA procedure and illustrate with the product‑launch example.
3. Guided practice (15'): Teacher models the forward and backward passes on the example, students fill in a worksheet simultaneously.
4. Independent practice (15'): Students work on the new “W‑X‑Y‑Z‑V‑U” activity set, completing all CPA steps.
5. Check for understanding (5'): Groups share their identified critical path and duration; teacher clarifies misconceptions.

Summarise how the critical path determines the project’s minimum duration and why zero‑slack activities are crucial. For the exit ticket, each student writes the critical path and total duration for the practice exercise. Assign homework: complete a CPA for a provided event‑planning scenario and prepare to discuss any slack they find.