Different evaluations of criticity in production processes

An individuation of different production processes is carried out in relation to operational structure and to level of uncertainty. More precisely: (a) by product, i.e. lines of production with a low level of uncertainty, (b) by project, i.e. realizations of great engineering works, with a medium level of uncertainty, and (c) by repetitiveness, i.e. complex projects, and a high level of uncertainty. For every type of process the meaning of ‘elementar activity’ is shown and the related network typology is assigned, complying with requirements of activity network which is a part of network analysis. After defying the concept of ‘criticity’, in relation to strategic and operational decisional level and related, respectively, stochastic and deterministic typology of intervention, the problem of process’s criticity determination and evaluation in relation to parameters associated to process itself is analyzed. The following situations are evaluated: (a) ‘Operational or deterministic’ criticity, (b) ‘Strategic or stochastic’ criticity, (c) ‘Repetition’ criticity. Some considerations are presented about the meaning of ‘critical path’ and about his actual presence and validity in function of different critical situations mentioned above. The proposed methodology is evaluated by means of real and operational applications. The paper is completed by targeted references.