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Vol. XI Issue XI - November 2009
Project Management eJournal
FEATURED PAPER
Calculating and Using Float
By Patrick Weaver
Melbourne, Australia
Origin of Float
The concept of schedule float is the creation of the Critical Path Method (CPM) of scheduling. As part of my research for the new CIOB scheduling guide due for publication in 2010, I have been digging through some old books and resources from the 1960s and 70s. As a consequence, I can definitely say scheduling has lost a lot of float in the last few years! And arguably the practice of scheduling is sinking.
Are the two phenomena connected? 40 years ago, float was a far more sophisticated concept compared to today but how significant is this loss of insight?
The origins of scheduling and consequently float is discussed in two earlier papers:
- A Brief History of Scheduling
- The Origins of Modern Project Management
The issues of creating float within networks and the options for manipulating float (legitimately or otherwise) through the structure of the schedule has been discussed in the papers:
- Float - Is It Real?
- The Cost of Time - or who's duration is it anyway?
The purpose of this paper is to support the concepts discussed in these earlier papers by analysing the various types of float that have been defined in the last 50 years and considering how they may be used in modern scheduling practice.
To read entire paper (click here)
 About the Author Patrick Weaver Author Patrick Weaver, PMP, PMI-SP, FAICD, FCIOB, is the Managing Director of Mosaic Project Services Pty Ltd, an Australian project management consultancy specialising in project control systems and a PMI Registered Education Provider. Patrick is also the business manager of Stakeholder Management Pty Ltd. He is a Fellow and Regional Council Member of the Chartered Institute of Building, Australasia (FCIOB) and a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (FAICD). He is a member of the PMI College of Scheduling, College of Performance Management and the PMI Melbourne Chapter (Australia), as well a full member of AIPM and the APM (UK). Patrick has over 35 years experience in Project Management. His career was initially focused on the planning and managing of construction, engineering and infrastructure projects in the UK and Australia. The last 25 years has seen his businesses and experience expand to include the successful delivery of project scheduling services and PMOs in a range of government, ICT and business environments; with a strong focus on project management training. His consultancy work encompasses: developing and advising on project schedules, developing and presenting PM training courses, managing the development of internal project control systems for client organisations, and assisting with dispute resolution and claims management. He is a qualified Arbitrator and Mediator. In the last few years, Patrick has sought to ‘give back’ to the industry he has participated in since leaving college through contributions to the development of the project management profession. In addition to his committee roles he has presented papers at a wide range of project management conferences in the USA, Europe, Asia and Australia, has been part of the organising committee for two PMI Congresses in the Asia-Pacific region, and has an on-going role with the PMOZ conference in Australia and World Project Management Week. Patrick can be contacted at patw@mosaicprojects.com.au or at www.mosaicprojects.com.au. |
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