What is the primary focus of critical path analysis?

The primary focus of critical path analysis (CPA) is to estimate the minimal project completion time. CPA is a project management technique used to determine the longest stretch of dependent activities and measure the time required to complete them. This technique identifies which tasks are critical for the timely completion of the project, meaning that any delay in these tasks directly impacts the overall project timeline. By analyzing the various paths through the project's activities and their durations, teams can focus their resources and efforts on the critical tasks that determine the minimum time needed to complete the project successfully.

In contrast to the other options, identifying the least time-consuming route is more about evaluating alternatives rather than understanding the project's core timing. Recording the number of tasks completed doesn’t provide insights into project duration, while outlining potential risks is an important aspect of project management but not the primary focus of CPA. Therefore, the essence of CPA lies in providing a clear estimate of the least amount of time required to finish all the activities associated with a project.