That sequence of events and activities within a Program Evaluation and Review Technique (PERT) network that requires the longest period of time to complete.
A statement of what steps and procedures should be carried out for the diagnostic evaluation of a patient or for the management (treatment) for a given diagnosis or problem, and the optimum sequence with which they should be carried out. The term comes from the Critical Path Method (CPM), which is similar to the Program Evaluation and Review Technique (PERT), first described in connection with project management procedures developed during World War II. CPM is called a project network technique, it is typically developed with the aid of a computer, and is graphically displayed as a sort of road map.