I.
Introduction M2:Forward Pass Computation (Earliest Start and
Earliest Finish)
The Program Evaluation and Review Technique (PERT) and
the Critical Path Method (CPM) are project management The forward pass determines the earliest start (ES) and
earliest finish (EF) for each activity.
tools used to plan, schedule, and control complex projects.
These techniques enable project managers to analyze the Formula: EF = ES + Duration
logical sequence of activities, determine project duration,
and identify which tasks are critical to timely completion. * Successor Activities (C, D, E, F, G): The ES of a successor
This report demonstrates the use of PERT/CPM through activity is the highest EF time of all its immediate
forward and backward pass computations to determine predecessors.
the critical path and total project duration. Activity ES EF Computation
A 0 4 0+4=4
B 4 10 4 + 6 = 10
II. Objectives of the Study
C 4 9 4+5=9
1. To identify all project activities, durations, and D 10 18 10 + 8 = 18
dependencies. E 18 24 18 + 6 = 24
2. To compute the earliest and latest start and F 24 27 24 + 3 = 27
finish times for each activity. G 27 32 27 + 5 = 32
3. To determine slack or float for each activity. Earliest project completion time: 32 weeks
4. To identify the project’s critical path and total
completion time.
People Who Commonly Use CPM
Project Managers
Engineers and Construction Workers
Students or Researchers
CPA
AND OTHERS...
III. EXAMPLE M3:Backward Pass Computation (Latest Start
and Latest Finish)
M1:Activity List and Network Description
The backward pass determines the Latest Start (LS) and
The table below presents the project activities, their Latest Finish (LF) for each activity, working backward from
immediate predecessors, and expected duration (in the project completion time.
weeks).
Formula: LS = LF – Duration
Activity Predecessor(s) Duration (weeks)
A — 4 * Predecessor Activities (A, B, C, D, E): The LF of a
B A 6 predecessor activity is the minimum LS time of all its
immediate successor activities.
C A 5
D B 8
E C, D 6
F E 3
G F 5 LF LS Computation
Activity
G 32 27 32 – 5 = 27
F 27 24 27 – 3 = 24
E 24 18 24 – 6 = 18
D 18 10 18 – 8 = 10
C 18 13 18 – 5 = 13
B 10 4 10 – 6 = 4
A 4 0 4–4=0
M4: Summary of ES, EF, LS, LF, and Slack Conclusion
Slack (or float) measures the flexibility of an activity how The PERT/CPM analysis concludes that the total expected
long it can be delayed without affecting total project project duration is 32 weeks. The critical path consists of
duration. Activities A, B, D, E, F, and G, which have zero slack and
must be prioritized for monitoring. Activity C has slack,
Formula: Slack = LS – ES = LF – EF
indicating scheduling flexibility without affecting project
Activity ES EF LS LF Slack (weeks) completion.
A 0 4 0 4 0
B 4 10 4 10 0 EXAMPLE 2
C 4 9 13 18 9
D 10 18 10 18 0 M1:Activity List and Network Description
E 18 24 18 24 0
F 24 27 24 27 0 The table below presents the project activities, their
G 27 32 27 32 0 immediate predecessors, and expected duration (in
weeks).
Activity Predecessor(s) Duration (weeks)
M5: Critical Path Identification A — 7
B — 9
Activities with zero slack are considered critical. Any delay C A 12
in these activities will delay the entire project.
D A,B 8
Critical Path: A → B → D → E → F → G E D 9
F C,E 6
Total Project Duration: 32 weeks G E 5
This means the project cannot finish earlier than 32 weeks,
and close monitoring of critical activities is essential to
avoid delays.
M2:Forward Pass Computation (Earliest Start and
Earliest Finish)
The forward pass determines the earliest start (ES) and
earliest finish (EF) for each activity.
Formula: EF = ES + Duration
Activity ES EF
A 0 4
B 0 10
C 7 9
D 9 18
M4: Summary of ES, EF, LS, LF, and Slack
E 17 24
Slack (or float) measures the flexibility of an activity how
F 26 27
long it can be delayed without affecting total project
G 26 32
duration.
Earliest project completion time: 26 weeks
Formula: Slack = LS – ES = LF – EF
Activity ES EF LF LS Slack
A 0 4 9 2 2
B 0 10 9 0 0
C 7 9 26 14 7
D 9 18 17 9 0
E 17 24 26 17 0
F 26 27 26 26 0
G 26 32 32 27 1
M3:Backward Pass Computation (Latest Start M5: Critical Path Identification
and Latest Finish)
The backward pass determines the Latest Start (LS) and Activities with zero slack are considered critical. Any delay
Latest Finish (LF) for each activity, working backward from in these activities will delay the entire project.
the project completion time.
Ex. 2
Formula: LS = LF – Duration
Critical Path: B →D→E→F
* Predecessor Activities (A, B, C, D, E): The LF of a
predecessor activity is the minimum LS time of all its Total Project Duration: 32 weeks
immediate successor activities.
This means the project cannot finish earlier than 32
Activity LF LS weeks,and close monitoring of critical activities is
G 32 27 essential to avoid delays.
F 26 26
E 26 17 Conclusion
D 17 9
C 26 14 The PERT/CPM analysis concludes that the total expected
B 9 0 project duration is 32 weeks. The critical path consists of
A 9 2 Activities B, D, E, and F, which have zero slack and must be
prioritized for monitoring. Activity A, C, and G has slack,
indicating scheduling flexibility without affecting project
completion.
