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Open Standard · M2 Planning & Scheduling

M2.2 Logic, Critical Path & Float

The learner should be able to construct and analyse a logically linked schedule, choose relationships, recognise missing or inappropriate logic, distinguish logic from constraints, identify critical and near-critical paths, understand total and free float, recognise negative or unusually high float, understand how progress changes the path, and use the analysis to support decisions. The goal is to understand the schedule as a model, not simply as software output.
8 knowledge pages4,159 discussions1 blogsRead M2.2 in the Open Standard text

Knowledge

Articles and chapters

  • M2.5 — Schedule Forecasting & Analysis

    By the end of this section, the learner should be able to take a credible current schedule and use it to forecast likely future outcomes, explain what is driving those outcomes, test alternative scenarios, assess the effect of uncertainty and management interventions.

    21 Oct 2026
  • M2.4 — Progress Updating & Schedule Control

    1. Practical outcomeBy the end of this section, the learner should be able to take an approved schedule and turn it into a trustworthy current control model at each reporting cycle. They should be able to establish a clear data date, collect and validate actual progress, record actual starts and acomplishments.

    21 Oct 2026
  • M2.3 — Resources, Productivity & Schedule Optimisation

    By the end of this section, the learner should be able to test whether a logically valid schedule is actually deliverable with the people, skills, equipment, facilities and other constrained resources available to the project. They should be able to distinguish resource demand from capacity.

    21 Oct 2026
  • M2.2 — Logic, Critical Path & Float

    The learner should be able to construct and analyse a logically linked schedule, choose relationships, recognise missing or inappropriate logic, distinguish logic from constraints, identify critical and near-critical paths, understand total and free float, recognise negative or unusually high float.

    21 Oct 2026
  • M2.1 — Planning & Schedule Development

    By the end of this section, the learner should be able to turn authorised scope and an agreed delivery strategy into a credible, structured and maintainable project schedule that explains what work must be performed, in what broad sequence, and over what durations and calendars etc.

    21 Oct 2026
  • M1.5 — Data Quality, Integration & Traceability

    By the end of this section, the learner should be able to establish and operate a project-controls data environment in which important information is complete enough, accurate enough, timely enough, consistent enough and traceable enough to support management decisions.

    21 Oct 2026
  • M1.3 — Integrated Baselines

    By the end of this section, the practitioner should be able to establish, test and explain an integrated project baseline that brings authorised scope, schedule, budget, assumptions, progress rules and accountability into one coherent reference position.

    21 Oct 2026
  • M2 — Planning & Scheduling

    Module 2 establishes the essential practices for developing, managing and controlling credible project schedules. It explains how to translate project scope into a structured schedule, establish logical relationships, identify critical and near-critical paths, and understand float and milestone dependencies. It also covers how to assess resource availability, productivity and delivery constraints, optimise schedules, and maintain accurate progress updates using objective evidence. Finally, it explains how to analyse schedule performance, forecast likely completion dates, identify emerging risks and evaluate recovery options. Together, these practices provide a reliable foundation for understanding project timelines, monitoring delivery performance, anticipating delays and supporting informed decisions to keep projects on track.

    21 Oct 2026
  • M6.5 — Claims & Forensic Analysis

    1. Practical outcome The learner should be able to preserve relevant records, define a forensic question, establish a reliable chronology, test cause and effect across schedule and cost, distinguish facts from assumptions and produce reproducible findings. They should understand how project-controls…

    20 Oct 2026
  • M6.4 — Assurance & Control Reviews

    1. Practical outcomeThe learner should be able to plan and conduct a proportionate review of project-controls data, processes and outputs; test evidence against stated criteria; identify material weaknesses; communicate their consequences; and verify corrective action. They should distinguish…

    17 Oct 2026

Discussions

4,155 discussions

  1. 5replies
    Suretrak Activity Delay Problem
    Planning, Scheduling & Programming Discussionby Ryan Facer· 14 years ago
  2. 5replies
    time-location planning
    Planning, Scheduling & Programming Discussionby Asaf Zilka· 14 years ago
  3. 5replies
    Project Portfolio Analysis and Reporting Capability Using MS Project Data
    Planning, Scheduling & Programming Discussionby Mark VanDyne· 14 years ago
  4. 5replies
    Project delay
    Planning, Scheduling & Programming Discussionby Sunil Babu· 14 years ago
  5. 5replies
    Baseline Comments Received
    Planning, Scheduling & Programming Discussionby Radhakrishnan Nair· 14 years ago
  6. 5replies
    Construction Management Student Needs Some Planning Mentoring
    Planning, Scheduling & Programming Discussionby Matthew George· 14 years ago
  7. 5replies
    micro level planning for a highway project
    Planning, Scheduling & Programming Discussionby Sunil Babu· 14 years ago
  8. 5replies
    Planning for a LNG Project
    Planning, Scheduling & Programming Discussionby Jian Liu· 14 years ago
  9. 5replies
    Programming and Scheduling of Repetitive workstreams
    Planning, Scheduling & Programming Discussionby Ian Bowman· 14 years ago
  10. 5replies
    Schedule transition in different stage
    Planning, Scheduling & Programming Discussionby Louis Hung· 14 years ago

1,121–1,130 of 4,155

Blogs

Thought leadership

  • How Project Planners Should Deal with a Difficult Client PMO

    Ten ways to keep your client happy, protect your construction programme and build stronger working relationships.Every construction planner knows that keeping the client happy matters. But what…

    Sunchana Johnston

    17 Oct 2026
  • Sunchana’s P6 Lancelot Meets OPC Star Wars

    Several months ago, I was engaged as the planning lead with one of the most significant infrastructure organisations.My assignments appeared straightforward: to provide independent planning expertise and advise senior stakeholders on the most appropriate software solution to support the extensive…

    Sunchana Johnston

    10 Aug 2026
  • PROCEDURES No 15 – Planning Standards

    Fed up with adverts from software companies and consultancies that are going to change the world of Planning and solve all your project problems? This series of occasional articles promises nothing but thought provoking questions on how well we understand the basics of our profession from the…

    PP Admin

    10 Aug 2026
  • PROCEDURES No 14 – Minimum Planning Expectations from THE MANAGEMENT!

    Fed up with adverts from software companies and consultancies that are going to change the world of Planning and solve all your project problems? This series of occasional articles promises nothing but thought provoking questions on how well we understand the basics of our profession from the…

    PP Admin

    20 Jul 2026
  • Programme Planning Standards: The Rules of the Game

    Programme Planning Standards: The Rules of the GameStudies consistently show that organisations with mature project management practices achieve better delivery outcomes than those with ad hoc approaches. Yet one of the simplest disciplines is often overlooked—agreeing a common Programme Planning…

    Sunchana Johnston

    5 Jul 2026
  • Projects…Start with What & Why

    What are we doing? And why are we doing it? These are the first two critical questions that must be asked at the start of every project. However, they often go unanswered!The nominal “what” is often provided. Implement a new system. Launch a new program. Build a road or bridge. However, the “why” is

    Alan Zucker

    7 Jul 2025

Jobs

Roles asking for this

  1. ManchesterPermanent EmploymentCivil / Building / E&M
    £100-130,000
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    £95,000
  3. LondonPermanent Employment
    TBC

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