Float characteristics on the critical path In Critical Path Method (CPM), a critical activity’s float value is equal to what?

Introduction / Context:
Float (or slack) measures scheduling flexibility. Activities lying on the critical path control the project duration; any delay on these activities delays the entire project. Understanding float helps managers prioritise resources and monitor risks effectively.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• CPM network with defined earliest and latest event/activity times.
• Critical path is the sequence with the longest total duration.
• Critical activities are those with no scheduling leeway.

Concept / Approach:
Total float = latest finish minus earliest finish (or latest start minus earliest start). For a critical activity, earliest and latest times coincide, so float = 0. This reflects that the activity must start/finish exactly as planned to avoid impacting project completion.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Recognize that critical path length equals project duration.On critical activities, earliest and latest times are equal.Therefore, float = 0 for every critical activity.

Verification / Alternative check:
Forward/backward pass computations in any CPM example will show float values zero on the identified critical path, confirming the rule.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Maximum/Minimum float: Critical activities have no leeway; the float cannot be positive.None of these: Incorrect because the correct value is exactly zero.

Common Pitfalls:

• Confusing “near-critical” (very low float) with “critical.”
• Assuming float exists because of resource levelling; CPM float is purely time-based between earliest and latest values.

Final Answer:
zero float