APPLICATION OF THE CRITICAL PATH METHOD IN INTERNATIONAL IT PROJECTS

Abstract

The globalization of information technology and the rapid rise of remote, multicultural collaboration have exposed critical limitations in traditional project scheduling methods that assume homogeneous team behavior and static context. This study aims to overcome those limitations by embedding cultural sensitivity directly into the Critical Path Method (CPM), so that project schedules more accurately reflect the varied execution dynamics of international teams. Our methodology begins with a two-step transformation of cultural dimensions—Uncertainty Avoidance and Long-Term Orientation—into a single, symmetric correction factor. Raw index values are first normalized via min–max scaling and then mapped linearly into a predefined interval [–K, +K]. This cultural coefficient is multiplicatively applied to expert estimates of baseline activity durations, producing adjusted durations that encapsulate cultural risk tolerances and strategic time preferences. These adjusted values feed into modified forward and backward pass algorithms: earliest start and finish times are recalculated using the culture-corrected durations while preserving original network dependencies, and latest finish and start times are similarly updated to maintain schedule integrity. Results of conducted controlled simulation underscore the importance of continuous recalibration of task priorities and resources in multicultural contexts. The practical value of this enhancement is its seamless integration with existing scheduling tools: project managers can apply cultural coefficients through simple parameter inputs without modifying network logic. By quantifying cultural influences within CPM calculations, organizations gain a repeatable, transparent process for generating realistic timelines, proactively allocating resources, and mitigating deadline risks in complex international engagements. This work thus provides a rigorous, data-driven extension to classical scheduling methods, aligning theoretical project models with the nuanced realities of global teamwork.