giThe critical path method $($CPM$)$ is a project management approach used to find the shortest time needed to finish a project. It involves breaking down the project into tasks, estimating their durations, and identifying dependencies between them. The critical path is then determined, which is the longest sequence of dependent tasks that must be completed without delays for the project to finish on time. The duration of the project is equal to the duration of the critical path because any delay in critical path tasks directly extends the project duration. This is because tasks on other paths in the network have some flexibility, unlike critical path tasks.