Total float
Total Float is the amount of time an activity can be delayed without affecting the project’s completion date. It is calculated by subtracting the Early Finish of the activity from its Late Finish and is represented graphically in a Network Diagram. By monitoring Total Float, project managers can identify areas of risk and critical activities that need to be completed on time in order to meet the project’s completion date.
By tracking this important factor, project managers can better manage the timeline of their projects and ensure that deadlines are met. This can help reduce stress for all involved in the project and make sure that the project is a success.
Interpretation of Total Float
Total float affects both the project’s end date, as well as the length of each individual activity. Understanding the dependencies between activities is key, as delaying one activity can cause a ripple effect on the other activities in the project. This is why it is important to use total float correctly, as misusing it can lead to over-allocation of resources, increased costs and delays.
Not using total float can also have a negative impact on the project. If resources are not managed correctly, and activities are not delayed as needed, the project could end up taking longer than expected, leading to increased costs and delays.
Comparison of Total Float and Free Float
Managing a project requires paying close attention to details and one of the most important considerations is the amount of time allocated for each task. Project managers must understand the differences between total float and free float to ensure that the project stays on schedule.
Total float is the amount of time that a task or activity can be delayed without affecting the completion date of the project. It is calculated by subtracting the earliest start date of a task from the latest start date of a task. This is important because it can give project managers an idea of how much room they have to make adjustments in the timeline.
Free float, on the other hand, is the amount of time that an activity can be delayed without affecting the start date of the following activity. It is calculated by subtracting the earliest start date of an activity from the earliest start date of the following activity. This is important for understanding how much time is needed for each task before the next one can start.
Both total float and free float are important for managing a project, but total float is especially important because it affects the completion date of the project. Knowing the difference between the two and understanding how to calculate them can help project managers stay on top of their timeline and keep the project on track.
Other Approaches to Time Reserves in Project Management
Project managers are constantly having to balance the need to complete projects on-time and within budget. To help manage the risks associated with projects, it is important to plan ahead and allocate a budget and timeline reserve. There are several approaches to setting these reserves, including risk-based reserve, contingency reserve, buffer reserve, management reserve and reserve for the unknown.
- Risk-based reserve is a method of assigning a cost associated with a project’s risk profile. This cost is then added to the project’s budget and timeline. This allows for proper planning and allocation of resources that can help to reduce the risk associated with the project.
- Contingency reserve is an additional set amount of budget and timeline allocated for the unknown or unforeseen. This provides a cushion for the project should something unexpected arise during the project.
- Buffer reserve is extra budget and timeline allocated to tasks that may run longer than expected. This provides a cushion should a task take longer than anticipated.
- Management reserve is a way to allow project managers to have control over the project. This reserve allows the project manager to have some flexibility in the budget and timeline and can be used to address any issues that may arise during the project.
Using these various reserves, project managers can plan ahead and be prepared for any issues that may arise during the project. By properly allocating these reserves, project managers can ensure that their projects are completed on-time and within budget.
Conclusion
Managers are tasked with organizing complex projects and making sure they are completed on time and on budget. One of the most important tools a manager can use to ensure this is total float in network diagrams.
Total float is a measure of the amount of time a task can be delayed without affecting the overall duration of a project. This is why understanding how to interpret total float is essential for successful project management. It is important to note that total float and free float are similar in that they both measure the amount of time a task can be delayed without affecting the overall duration of a project. However, total float takes into account both the direct and indirect tasks linked to a task, whereas free float only takes into account the direct tasks.
In addition to total float, there are other approaches to time reserves in project management. One of these is earned value management, which uses a combination of planned value and earned value to measure project progress. Another is resource leveling, which helps to identify resource conflicts and minimize them.
By understanding total float and other approaches to time reserves, managers can more effectively manage their projects and ensure they are completed on time and on budget.
| Total float — recommended articles |
| Lead and lag — Duration of the project — Advanced planning and scheduling — Critical activities — Work breakdown structure (WBS) — Project monitoring and control — Planning and scheduling — Project schedule — Progress of the project |
References
- Sireesha, V., & Shankar, N. R. (2010). A new approach to find total float time and critical path in a fuzzy project network. International Journal of Engineering science and technology, 2(4), 600-609.
