Formalizing a path-float-based approach to determine and interpret total float in project scheduling analysis. Issue 4 (2nd October 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Lu, Ming; Liu, Jing; Ji, Wenying
• Is Part Of: International journal of construction management. Volume 17:Issue 4(2017)
• Page Start: 251
• Page End: 263
• Publication Date: 2017-10-02
• Subjects: project management -- scheduling -- critical path method -- construction planning; Building -- Periodicals; Construction industry -- Periodicals; 690
• DOI: 10.1080/15623599.2016.1207366
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1562-3599

Abstract

Abstract : The classic critical path method (CPM) determines total float ( TF ) for each individual activity by performing forward pass and backward pass analyses. A comprehensive literature review has shown that TF is the most crucial attribute of a scheduled activity, and plays a fundamental part in advanced scheduling research. This research proposes a simplified version of CPM, called path-float-based critical path method (PFCPM), which determines TF based on identification of path float (PF) instead of entailing a backward pass analysis in the classic CPM. Analytical proof is provided and step-by-step application procedures are generalized. Then, PFCPM application examples are given based on two demonstration projects represented in activity-on-node (AON) and precedence diagram method (PDM) networking formats, respectively. Results are compared with the classic CPM for cross-validation. The newly proposed PFCPM enhances CPM-based scheduling through circumventing the backward pass analysis in deriving TF based on PF; helping researchers and practitioners interpret the TF ownership issue and account for changes on TF as a result of activity delay by relating TF with PF; and laying a theoretical foundation for further research into advanced construction planning methods such as resource loading, time–cost tradeoff and risk analysis.