Final answer:
The critical path in project management is a sequence of dependent tasks whose delay can impact the project's completion date. The answer is option 2).
Step-by-step explanation:
A critical path is a series of tasks that, if delayed, would affect the completion date of the overall project. In project management, the critical path is the longest stretch of dependent activities and is considered the shortest time possible to complete the project.
Identifying the critical path is crucial for engineers who often multitask on projects with various deadlines and work with diverse teams. Missing a deadline on a critical path may lead to project cancellation or significant revenue loss.
For instance, delaying the design, testing, and manufacturing of a new video game controller could result in missing the lucrative holiday season, or allow a competitor to capture the market first.