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CONSTRUCTION-MANAGEMENT5 MIN READ

Protect the Critical Path With Float Discipline

Distinguish critical-path delay from float consumption in a construction schedule decision.

The reframe: critical does not mean loud; critical means finish-controlling. A site can have twenty urgent problems. Critical Path Method helps identify the chain of dependent work that controls completion. The longest path controls the finish CPM links activities through predecessors and successors. The longest chain has no spare time. Delay it and the finish moves unless the team shortens or resequences work on the same chain. Float is a buffer, not free time Non-critical work can consume float before it threatens the milestone. Watching float burn helps the team see which secondary risks are becoming finish risks. Recovery must…

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