A general contractor discovers that a key material supplier will be 10 days late on delivery. The affected activities have 6 days of total float. What is the impact on the project completion date?
Correct Answer
C) 4-day delay in project completion
When a delay exceeds the available float, the project completion is delayed by the difference. Since the material delay is 10 days and available float is 6 days, the project will be delayed by 10-6=4 days.
Why This Is the Correct Answer
Option B is correct because when a delay exceeds the available float, the project completion date is impacted by the difference between the delay and the float. The material supplier delay of 10 days exceeds the 6 days of total float available for the affected activities. Therefore, the project completion will be delayed by 10 - 6 = 4 days. The float absorbs 6 days of the delay, but the remaining 4 days directly impact the critical path and project completion.
Why the Other Options Are Wrong
Option B: 10-day delay in project completion
Option D is wrong because it assumes the entire 10-day material delay directly impacts project completion, ignoring the protective effect of the 6 days of total float that can absorb part of the delay.
Option D: No impact on project completion
Option C is wrong because it assumes the entire float period becomes a delay, which is incorrect. The 6 days of float actually absorbs part of the 10-day delay, so only the excess (4 days) impacts project completion.
Memory Technique
Think 'Float First' - float always absorbs delay first, then any remaining delay hits the project completion. Use the acronym 'DAF' (Delay After Float) = Total Delay - Available Float.
Reference Hint
Project Management chapter covering Critical Path Method (CPM), Total Float, and Schedule Analysis
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