Formula for calculating float: Float = Late Start (LS) – Early Start (ES) Float = Late Finish (LF) – Early Finish (EF) Either formula will give the same result.Ī forward and a backward pass need to be performed through the network diagram to determine the earliest and latest each activity can start and the earliest and latest each activity can finish. The amount of float also indicates the time flexibility the project members may have for each activity. Thus, even if the activity is taking longer, it is less likely that the project will be delayed. The float is an advantage for the project.Ī float can be used by the project manager to:įor example, if you have a new resource who is still learning and if you feel he will take longer to complete the task, you can allocate him to the activity which has maximum float. Project Float (slack): The amount of time the activity can be delayed without delaying the externally imposed project completion date required by the management or by the customer. Total float is considered as a primary type of float.įree Float (slack): The amount of time the activity can be delayed without delaying the early start date of the successor(s)

Total Float (slack): The amount of time the activity can be delayed without delaying the project end date. FLOAT (SLACK) Floats are mainly of three different types: The project manager should focus on monitoring and controlling activities on both critical and near-critical paths to avoid any delays to project completion. If the critical path and near-critical path are closer to each other in length, it increases the risk of the project. The following steps are carried out in a critical path method: Longest path is determined through the network diagram Earliest and latest time when an activity can start is determined Earliest and latest date when an activity can be completed is also determinedĪ near-critical path is close in duration to the critical path. Multiple techniques can be used to create the final schedule such as:Ī critical path is the longest path in a network diagram. For creating a final schedule, a schedule network analysis is completed using an initial schedule.

Network analysis definition in computer