Critical Path & Float Analysis Flashcards

During a forward pass calculation, what values are determined for each activity?

Answer: Early Start and Early Finish

The forward pass calculates Early Start and Early Finish dates by moving from the project start toward the end.

When performing a backward pass in CPM, which date is used as the starting point?

Answer: The project end date (or Late Finish of the last activity)

The backward pass begins at the project end date (Late Finish of the terminal activity) and works backward to determine Late Finish and Late Start for all activities.

If Activity P has an Early Finish of day 20 and its only successor Activity Q has an Early Start of day 25, what is Activity P's Free Float?

Answer: 5 days

Free Float = Early Start of successor − Early Finish of the activity = 25 − 20 = 5 days.

A project has multiple end activities (A, B, C) with Early Finish dates of 30, 35, and 28 days respectively. What is the project duration?

Answer: 35 days

The project duration is the longest Early Finish among all terminal activities, which is 35 days.

Which statement correctly describes the relationship between Total Float and Free Float?

Answer: Total Float is always greater than or equal to Free Float

Total Float is always greater than or equal to Free Float because Free Float is a subset of the available Total Float.

A Finish-to-Start relationship with a lag of 3 days means:

Answer: Activity B cannot start until 3 days after Activity A finishes

An FS+3 lag means the successor (B) must wait 3 days after the predecessor (A) finishes before it can begin.

What is the primary purpose of a schedule compression technique called 'fast-tracking'?

Answer: Performing activities in parallel that were originally planned sequentially

Fast-tracking overlaps activities that were originally planned in sequence, which can shorten the project duration but increases risk.