What key metric indicates the urgency of completing tasks in a project?

The critical path is the key metric that indicates the urgency of completing tasks in a project. In project management, the critical path represents the longest sequence of dependent tasks that determines the shortest possible duration to complete the entire project. Any delay in tasks along the critical path will directly affect the project's completion date, highlighting their urgency.

Understanding the critical path allows project managers to prioritize activities that must be completed on time to avoid delaying the project. By focusing on the tasks within the critical path, teams can effectively allocate resources and monitor progress to ensure timely execution. This metric is essential for effective scheduling and resource planning, providing insights into where attention and efforts are needed most to keep the project on track. The other options, while important in their own contexts, do not serve as direct indicators of urgency in completing tasks as the critical path does.