Using the Critical Path Method, if Activity A has an Early Start of day 5, a duration of 8 days, and the Late Finish is day 18, what is the total float for this activity?
Correct Answer
B) 5 days
Total float = Late Finish - Early Start - Duration = 18 - 5 - 8 = 5 days. This means Activity A can be delayed by up to 5 days without affecting the project completion date.
Why This Is the Correct Answer
CORRECT_ANSWER - Total float represents the amount of time an activity can be delayed without affecting the project's completion date. The formula is Total Float = Late Finish - Early Start - Duration. Substituting the given values: 18 - 5 - 8 = 5 days. This means Activity A has 5 days of scheduling flexibility before it impacts the critical path.
Why the Other Options Are Wrong
Option A: 8 days
0 days would indicate this activity is on the critical path with no scheduling flexibility, but the calculation shows 5 days of float available.
Option C: 3 days
8 days incorrectly uses just the duration value, ignoring the relationship between Early Start and Late Finish times in the float calculation.
Memory Technique
Remember 'LES-D' (Less-D): Late finish minus Early Start minus Duration = Total Float. Think 'How much LESS time Do I need?' to remember the subtraction sequence.
Reference Hint
Look up 'Critical Path Method' or 'CPM Scheduling' in project management chapters, specifically sections on float calculations and activity scheduling.
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