In CPM scheduling, if an activity has an early start of day 10, duration of 5 days, and late finish of day 20, what is the activity's total float?
Correct Answer
B) 5 days
Total float = Late Finish - Early Start - Duration + 1. In this case: 20 - 10 - 5 + 1 = 6 days. However, using the standard formula: Late Finish - Early Finish = 20 - 15 = 5 days.
Why This Is the Correct Answer
CORRECT_ANSWER - Total float represents the amount of time an activity can be delayed without affecting the project completion date. The standard formula is Total Float = Late Finish - Early Finish, where Early Finish = Early Start + Duration. With Early Start of 10 and Duration of 5, the Early Finish is 15. Therefore, Total Float = 20 - 15 = 5 days.
Why the Other Options Are Wrong
Option A: 0 days
Zero days would indicate this is a critical path activity with no scheduling flexibility, but the calculation shows 5 days of float available.
Option C: 10 days
10 days incorrectly assumes the float equals the early start date, which has no relationship to the actual float calculation.
Option D: 15 days
15 days incorrectly assumes the float equals the early finish date (10 + 5), which is not how total float is calculated.
Memory Technique
Remember 'LEAF' - Late finish minus Early finish equals Available Float. Early finish is always Early start plus Duration.
Reference Hint
Look up CPM scheduling and float calculations in Chapter 6 (Project Scheduling) of most construction management textbooks or the PMI Practice Standard for Scheduling.
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