A project has activities with the following durations: A(5 days), B(8 days), C(3 days), D(6 days). Path 1: A-C = 8 days, Path 2: B-D = 14 days. What is the total float for Path 1?
Correct Answer
C) 6 days
Total float is calculated as the difference between the critical path duration (14 days) and the path duration (8 days). Therefore, Path 1 has 6 days of total float.
Why This Is the Correct Answer
Total float represents the amount of time an activity or path can be delayed without affecting the project completion date. It is calculated by subtracting the path duration from the critical path duration. Since Path 2 (B-D) takes 14 days and is the critical path, and Path 1 (A-C) takes only 8 days, Path 1 has 6 days of float (14 - 8 = 6). This means Path 1 can be delayed by up to 6 days without impacting the overall project schedule.
Why the Other Options Are Wrong
Option A: 0 days
0 days would indicate that Path 1 is on the critical path with no flexibility for delays, but Path 1 is not the critical path since it's shorter than Path 2.
Option B: 3 days
3 days appears to be an arbitrary number that doesn't result from the proper calculation of critical path duration minus path duration.
Option D: 8 days
8 days is the duration of Path 1 itself, not the float calculation. Float is the difference between critical path and current path, not the path duration.
Memory Technique
Remember 'FLOAT = LONGEST - CURRENT' - the float is always the difference between the longest (critical) path and your current path duration.
Reference Hint
Look up 'Critical Path Method (CPM)' and 'Project Scheduling' in construction management chapters, typically found in project management or scheduling sections.
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