In episode 42 of The Subcontractors Blueprint podcast, Jacob Austin of QS.Zone dives into the nuances of critical path analysis for effective project management. He elucidates how this technique can streamline subcontractors' projects, ensuring optimal resource allocation and focus on pivotal tasks. With practical examples, like making tea, Jacob breaks down activity dependencies and the use of tools like Excel for critical path planning. He stresses the value of understanding project logic and that unlocking the principles is the key to understanding construction programmes. KEY TAKEAWAYS:  Critical path analysis and project management techniques for subcontractors.  Why Critical Path Analysis is important to YOU.  Illustration of dependencies and relationships between activities in a project  A worked example using an every-day task familiar to us all.  Understanding the logic behind the program and interpreting project manager programs with confidence. BEST MOMENTS: "It can help you identify the most important areas to focus on and allow you to effectively allocate your resources to the most productive tasks, preventing you from wasting resources on tasks that aren't critical." “True concurrency is actually quite rare because as much as anything else, just what's the chances.” "Critical path analysis is one of the tools you can use to demonstrate that you've lost time, which is crucial when it comes to proving delay." “I’m saying teabag too many times now.” "By doing your critical path analysis, this is going to enable you to plan and resource your work, monitor against it, and inform your next job." Jacob is on a mission to help the 1 million SME contractors working within the construction industry. If you've taken something of value from this episode, please share the podcast with someone you know, and pass the value on. HOST BIO: Meet Jacob Austin, a Chartered Quantity Surveyor with a rich background at construction industry giants Balfour Beatty, Kier, and Vistry Group. With extensive involvement in education, health, and residential projects spanning various scales, from £1000s to £100M in concurrent developments, Jacob brings a unique perspective. Having collaborated with numerous small businesses, he's now committed to sharing his expertise to drive their success. Join Jacob on his podcast, where he blends his profound insights and personable approach to offer guidance, industry secrets, and inspirational stories. LinkedIn - www.linkedin.com/in/jacob-austin/ Instagram - www.instagram.com/qs.zone/ www.qs.zone/all-links