Deltek Open Plan Help

Using the Help Search
Using the Help Search
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    Ex."system administration"
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    Ex.system + administration
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    Ex.system administration
For more information:Searching Online Help

Float Calculations

In general, float is the number of time periods by which an activity can be delayed without affecting other activities in a project.

Open Plan calculates two principal float values during time analysis: total float and free float.

  • Total float: Total float is the difference between the early and late start dates measured in working periods of the activity calendar. Total float can be either positive or negative. For example, assume a 7-day work week. If an activity has an early start date of July 1 and a late start date of July 10, that activity would have a total float of 9 days. However, if the activity has an early start date of July 10 and a late start date of July 1, the activity would have a total float of –9 days. If the target date is not set, no floats will be negative. If all activities in a project use the same calendar and if target dates have not been set, there is always at least one path through the project with exactly zero total float. This is known as the critical path.
    Note: There can be more than one critical path.
  • Free float: Free float is the maximum amount by which an activity can be delayed beyond its early dates without delaying any successor activity beyond its early dates. If target finish dates have not been set, free float is always less than or equal to total float. Free float can never be negative.

Time analysis also calculates two float values related to relationships (relationship total float and relationship free float) and two float values that have special relevance to discontinuous activities and subprojects (finish total float and finish free float).

Attention: For information about these calculations, refer to "Chapter 8 Time Analysis Calculations" in the Deltek Open Plan Developer’s Guide.