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CPM CALCULATIONS CPM Network Calculations

 We calculates the following for each activity
ES = Earliest Starting Time
EF = Earliest Finishing Time
LS = Latest Starting Time
LF = Latest Finishing Time
TF = Total Float
FF = Free Float

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CPM Network Calculations Critical Path

 CPM network calculations enable us to  The longest path in a network from start to
determine when each activity must take place finish.
in order to finish the project in the least
amount of time.  The definition “the path with zero float” is
inaccurate.
 They also allow us to identify critical activities
which must start and finish on exact dates and  The critical path represents the summation of
noncritical activities whose start and finish the durations of activities along that path,
times can vary somewhat. including lags
 Taking constraints in consideration

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Critical Path Forward Pass

 For every network, there must be at least one  The process of going from the start to finish
critical path but there might be more than one of a network in order to calculate early start
critical path and early finish time for each activity, and the
 Multiple paths may share one or more expected finish date for the entire project.
activities Or
 Activities on the critical path, by definition,  The process of navigating through a network
have no float (unless in some cases of from start to end and calculating the
imposed finished date, critical activities then completion date for the project and the early
are those with least float). dates for each activity.

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Critical Activity Backward Pass

 An activity on the critical path.  The process of going from the finish to start of a
network in order to calculate late start and late
finish time for each activity.

It is an activity that is if delayed, Or

 The process of navigating through a network from
the entire project will get delayed.
end to start and calculating the late dates for each
activity. The late dates (along with the early dates)
determine the critical activities, the critical path,
and the amount of float each activity has.

Both passes identify the critical path and

float times for activities

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CPM Definitions 1. Total Float

 Early Start (ES)  It is Maximum time for which an activity can be
 The earliest date the activity can start within delayed without delaying the project.
project constraints
Or
 Early Finish (EF)
 The maximum amount of time an activity can be
 The earliest date the activity can finish within
project constraints delayed from its early start (ES) without delaying
the entire project
 Late Start (LS)
 The latest date the activity can start without TF = LS – ES
delaying the completion of the project or
 Late Finish (LF) TF = LF - EF
 The latest date the activity can finish without or
delaying the completion of the project
TF = LF - Dur - ES

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WHAT IS FLOAT ?

 Float (sometimes called “slack”) is the time frame in 2. Free Float

which an activity can take place without interfering
with future events.  It is maximum time
for which an activity
 Float is one of the most important, interesting, and can be delayed
controversial issues in construction; not only from without delaying the
technical point of view, but from legal point of view as start of proceeding
activity.
well.
 Total Float = Free
 In construction, two types of floats are used: Float + Interfering
1. Total Float Float

2. Free Float

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Arrow Diagram Notation

0 0
A (0,8)
0 5
8 (0,8)

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Example 1 FORWARD PASS

 In Forward Pass through the network, the ES & EF of
Find project duration and critical path. each activity are calculated.
Activity IPA Duration  Forward Pass is carried out from left to right in the
A ------- 3 network.
B A 3  The parenthesis on upper side of arrow give the values
C A 5 of ES & EF.
D A 7  The ES of first activity/activities is set to zero or some
E B 4 other number.
F B 6  The EF of the first activity/activities will be 0 + duration
G B, C 4 of first activity/activities.
H E 6  The ES & EF of subsequent activities are calculated as
I D 9
J D, E, F, G 8 ES = Maximum EF of preceding activities.
EF = ES + duration

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BACKWARD PASS Float Calculation

 In Backward Pass through the network, LS & LF of each
activity are calculated.  In float calculation through the network, Total Float
 The parenthesis on lower side of arrow give the values of (TF) & Free Float (FF) For each activity are calculated.
LS & LF.
 Backward Pass is carried out from right to left in the
network  TF = LS - ES OR LF - EF

 The LF of last activity/activities is set to maximum EF of

the last activity/activities or some other number i.e. date of  FF = Minimum ES of following activities - EF of
handing over.
activity in question
 The LS of the last activity/activities will be LF - duration
of last activity/activities.
 The LS & LF of activities progressing backwards in times
are then calculated as
LF = Minimum LST of following activities.
LS = LF - duration

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Critical Path

 It is the longest path (or paths) from start to finish in a

net work diagram.
 It gives minimum normal time to complete a project.
 It is usually marked by double lined / Thick lined
arrows in a network diagram.
 There is at least one but may be many critical paths in
a network.
 There may be all activities and all paths in a network
be critical.
 Critical activity : An activity on the critical path.
 Any delay on the start or finish of a critical activity
will result in a delay in the entire project

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Negative Total Float

 Total float may have negative value also.

 Suppose we may have a contract that calls for a total
time of 180 workdays.
 We start our forward pass at day 0 and find that the
earliest the project can finish is day 190.
 If we start our backward pass at day 180 (contractual
completion date), we arrive back at project start on day -
10.
 All critical activities will have a TF = -10 and noncritical
activities have TF > -10.
 This indicates that 10 days must be saved somehow, if
we are to finish on time.

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Positive TF for Critical Activities Other types of Floats ?

 Suppose we may have a contract that calls for a total
Interfering Float
time of 210 workdays.
 It is that part of total float for which activity can not
 We start our forward pass at day 0 and find that the
be delayed without delaying the start of proceeding
earliest the project can finish is day 190.
activities. Or
 If we start our backward pass at day 210 (contractual
 Maximum amount of time an activity can be delayed
completion date), we arrive back at project start on day
without delaying the entire project but causing delay
+ 20.
to the succeeding activities.
 All critical activities will have a TF = 20 and noncritical
 It is the difference between TF and FF.
activities have TF > 20.
 Such total float indicates that we can finish in 20 days
less than is contractually allotted. TF = FF + Int. or Int. F = TF - FF

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Example: Single Span Bridge Project Other types of Floats ?

(Activity Description)
Activity Code Operation Dependence Est. Dur. (Days)
Independent Float
ENA Earthworks, north abutment - 5
ESA Earthworks, south abutment ENA 4  It is the safe float that can not be taken away by any other
activity. Or
CONN Construction, north abutment ENA 14
CONS Construction, south abutment ESA, CONN 12  Maximum amount of time an activity can be delayed without
delaying the early start of the succeeding activities and without
COMN Compaction, north abutment CONN 2
being affected by the allowable delay of the preceding activities.
CIMS Compaction, south abutment CONS, COMN 2
 It is the difference of the latest of the preceding activities (LF’s)
RNB Road, north of bridge COMN 2
and the earliest of the succeeding activities (ES’s), minus the
RSB Road, south of bridge RNB,COMS 2 activity duration.
PB Prefabricate bridge deck - 18 Ind. Fi = min(ESi+1) – max(LFi-1) – Duri
TD Transport deck to site PB 2
EB Erect bridge deck TD, CONN, CONS, COMN 3
LBS Lay bridge surface EB, RNB, RSB 2
Note: The above two types of floats are not of much practical use.
ICB Install crash barriers etc. EB 1 Note: Make sure that Ind. F ≤ FF
L Landscape RNB, RSB 1

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Example 2 Example 2

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Example 2 Example 2

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