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Free Float

24 December, 2015 - 15:38
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If activities that are not on the critical path have a difference between their early start date and their late start date, those activities can be delayed without affecting the project completion date. The float on those activities is called free float.

KEY TAKEAWAY

  • To calculate total project float, begin at the start date and add the duration of each activity in each possible path through the network diagram, including nonworking days from the resource calendars, to determine the early project end date. The longest path through the network is the critical path. The difference between the early end date and the required completion date of the project is the total project float, and the start date of each activity is the early start date. To calculate the late start dates, begin with the required project completion date and work backward, subtracting the duration of each activity though each possible pathway.

EXERCISES

  1. The path through the network diagram that has the longest total duration is the                   path.
  2. The difference between the sum of the activity durations along the critical path and the project completion date is the project                   .
  3. If two sequential activities overlap and the successor activity can begin three days before the predecessor ends, those three days are called                   time.
  4. If the last activity in the critical path has a completion date that is five days later than the project completion date, the project has a                                     (two words) of five days.
  5. What is the difference between free float and project float?
  6. If an activity has a duration of three days, how do you calculate the finish date in a way that considers availability of the resources for that activity?
  7. What would be an example of lag time between two activities?

Project Float

Consider a project in which you have been involved that experienced unexpected delays. Describe how the project’s manager dealt with the delays. Specifically, consider if the delay was due to an activity that was on the project’s critical path, if people or resources were diverted from other tasks, or if free float existed in the original schedule. Describe the ultimate effect on the project’s completion date.

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