The Other Half of Your Schedule

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The Critical Path Method calculates Early Start and Early Finish dates on the forward pass. Late Start and Late Finish are calculated on the backward pass. The difference between the two is Total Float. The Early Start and Early Finish dates, or frequently, just Start and Finish dates, get plenty of attention. These are the dates reported to management and the owner or contracting agency. Late Start and Late Finish dates usually just lurk in the background, out of sight and out of mind. Planners and schedulers know how they figure into Total Float values, but seldom actually look at them.

Unless you are routinely looking at both sets of dates, you are looking at only half your schedule. Total Float becomes more tangible and meaningful when associated with dates. This is the way people think and work and take time off.

Include Early Start, Early Finish, Late Start and Late Finish dates and Total Float in your standard view and in depictions of your critical paths.

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