How to calculate float in project management?
Before you can figure out how much flexibility your project tasks have, you need to identify and map which tasks are crucial (critical path) and which ones are not (non-critical) in your project plan. The critical path tasks depend on each other, meaning there’s no leeway or float in their schedules. However, in more intricate projects with multiple task paths, float becomes important in the non-critical paths.
To calculate Total Float: Subtract the task’s earliest finish (EF) date from its latest finish (LF) date. This formula looks like either LF – EF or LS – ES, both giving you the task’s total float.
Total Float = LF – EF or Total Float = LS – ES ( Both of these formulas will give you the task’s total float. )
Where LF stands for latest finish date, EF stands for task’s earliest finish date, ES stand for task’s earliest start and LS stand for latest start date.
What is Float in Project Management?
Experienced project managers are aware that even the best-laid plans can backfire. Those project managers utilize float to control delays and drive the project towards on-time completion rather than allowing a delayed job to derail the entire project and disrupt delivery. However, what does project management float mean? And what role does float play in supporting different project management frameworks for PMs?
What is Float in Project Management?
Table of Content
- What is Float in Project Management?
- Types of float
- What Is the Critical Path?
- How to calculate float in project management?
- An example of float in project management
- Why Float Matters?
- How to use float for better project management
- Conclusion
- FAQs on Float