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Critical Path

The Critical Path section enables users to define and manage milestone templates that are applied to workflows for styles, compliance records, and other process-driven modules. Each path includes sequenced activities that track due dates, assignments, and completion statuses.

Critical paths help standardise timelines across categories such as product development, audit preparation, or vendor onboarding. They ensure that teams follow consistent steps and help enforce accountability through assigned responsibilities.

By managing these centrally, teams can standardise project milestones and improve traceability across workflows. Critical paths ensure that key deliverables are met on time and provide visibility into the progress of each compliance or development workflow.

The Critical Path section allows you to create a consistent set of milestone templates that can be assigned, tracked, and monitored across all compliance records and style workflows. These paths help ensure that critical deadlines are not overlooked and provide structure to complex, multi-step processes.

Compliance > Critical Path

Quick Check - Before You Start
  • You can edit Site Settings › Compliance › Critical Path
  • Maintain Activities before sequencing them into templates
  • Name templates so teams recognise the workflow (for example Q1 Audit Timeline)

Critical Path Table Fields

The Critical Path table displays the following columns to help you manage and track milestone templates:

Field Description
Name The unique identifier for the critical path template. Use descriptive names that clearly indicate the workflow type (e.g., "SS26 Product Development", "Quarterly Compliance Review"). This is a mandatory field.
Activities The sequential list of milestone activities included in this path. Each activity represents a key step in the workflow with associated timings and responsibilities.
Status Indicates whether the critical path is Enabled (active and available for use) or Disabled (inactive).

Managing Critical Paths

Add Critical Path

  1. Click the Add New button at the top left.
  2. Enter the critical path name in the required field.
  3. Add any additional metadata or description.
  4. Use the Add Activity button to define the sequential steps in the path.
  5. Click Save to finalise the new critical path template.

Add Critical Path

Add Activity

To add activities to a critical path:

  1. Click the plus (+) button next to Activities in the critical path form. Critical Path Add
  2. The Add Activity pop-up will display all the activities configured in Site Settings > Compliance > Activities. Critical Path

  3. Select activities using one of the following methods:

    • Individual selection: Click on individual activities to add them one at a time.
    • Bulk selection: Use checkboxes to select multiple activities, then click Save to add them all at once. Critical Path

  4. Alternatively, create a new activity directly in the pop-up by clicking Add New Activity.

  5. Click Save to apply the selected activities to the critical path.

Note

Activities added through the Add Activity pop-up will automatically be reflected in Site Settings > Compliance > Activities and become available for use in other critical paths.

Add Activity Fields

The Add Activity pop-up displays the following information to help you select appropriate activities:

Field Description
Activity Name The name of the compliance activity as defined in the Activities master list. This identifies the specific milestone or task.
Description Additional details about the activity's purpose, requirements, or expected outcomes. Helps users understand what the activity entails.
Status Indicates whether the activity is Enabled (available for use) or Disabled (inactive). Only enabled activities are typically selectable.
Selection Checkbox Allows users to select multiple activities for bulk addition to the critical path.
Actions Enables users to delete the activity.

Edit Critical Path

  1. Click the pen icon next to the critical path you'd like to modify.
  2. Make the required updates to the path name, description, or activities.
  3. Add, remove, or reorder activities as needed.
  4. Click Save to apply the changes.

Edit Critical Path

Delete Critical Path

Common Pitfall

Deleting a template removes the blueprint teams rely on for in-flight compliance work. Disable when the workflow is retired but historical records must stay interpretable.

  • Single delete: Click the trashcan icon next to a critical path and confirm the deletion.

Single Delete Critical Path

  • Bulk delete: Use checkboxes to select multiple critical paths, then confirm deletion.

Bulk Delete Critical Path

Other Actions

  • Filter – View critical paths by status (Enabled or Disabled). Filter
  • History – Export a detailed log of critical path changes and version history for auditing purposes. History
  • Export – Download the complete list of critical path templates in .xlsx format. Export

Table Flexibility

Users can tailor the table layout using the following controls:

Feature Description
Sort by Ascending or Descending Reorder critical paths by Name, Date Modified, or Status.
Pin Column Lock important columns in place while scrolling.
Autosize This Column Automatically resize the specific column to fit its content.
Autosize All Columns Applies autosising on all columns.
Choose Columns Show or hide individual table columns.
Reset Columns Return the table to the default configuration.

Customisable Table

Tips
  • Use clear naming conventions like "SS25 Production Flow" or "Q1 Audit Timeline" to make templates easy to filter and recognise across different workflows.
  • Archive or disable unused critical paths instead of deleting them to retain historical context and maintain audit trails.
  • Assign responsibilities within each activity to ensure every milestone has an accountable owner.
  • Use exports for weekly progress reviews and compliance audits to track milestone completion rates.
  • Regularly review critical path templates to ensure they align with current business processes and regulatory requirements.
  • Document the purpose of each activity within the path to help team members understand their responsibilities and dependencies.
  • Pin high-priority columns such as Path Name and Status for visibility when scrolling through large lists.
  • Use consistent terminology across activities to improve searchability and reporting accuracy.

Troubleshooting

Why can’t I add an activity to a path?

It may be Disabled in Site Settings › Compliance › Activities or already removed.

Steps to resolve:

  1. Verify the activity status in the Activities list
  2. Use Add New Activity from the pop-up if the milestone is brand new
Why do two compliance records follow different steps?

They may reference different critical path templates or template versions.

Steps to resolve:

  1. Compare the Name column for each record’s assigned path
  2. Update the template and communicate the change to owners
How do I prepare evidence for regulators about path changes?

Steps to resolve:

  1. Export History and Export snapshots before and after edits
  2. Document approvals in your QMS to match the downloaded logs