In CPM scheduling, if Activity X has an Early Start of Day 10, Duration of 4 days, and Late Finish of Day 18, what is the float time for this activity?
Correct Answer
D) 4 days
Float = Late Finish - Early Start - Duration = 18 - 10 - 4 = 4 days. This means Activity X can be delayed up to 4 days without affecting the project completion date.
Why This Is the Correct Answer
Float time represents the amount of time an activity can be delayed without affecting the project's critical path or completion date. The standard CPM formula for calculating float is: Float = Late Finish - Early Start - Duration. Using the given values: Float = 18 - 10 - 4 = 4 days. This means Activity X has 4 days of scheduling flexibility before it impacts other activities or the project timeline.
Why the Other Options Are Wrong
Option A: 6 days
This answer of 2 days would result from an incorrect calculation, possibly confusing the formula or subtracting values in the wrong order.
Option B: 8 days
This answer of 8 days comes from only calculating Late Finish minus Early Start (18-10=8) while forgetting to subtract the activity duration from the formula.
Option C: 2 days
This answer of 6 days might result from incorrectly calculating Late Finish minus Early Start (18-10=8) and then subtracting 2 instead of the full duration of 4 days.
Memory Technique
Remember 'FLEDs' - Float = Late Finish - Early Start - Duration. Think 'activities that have FLED the critical path have float time.'
Reference Hint
Look up CPM scheduling methods and float calculations in the Project Management or Scheduling chapter of your contractor reference manual.
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