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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.
7 knowledge pages4,159 discussions1 blogsRead M2.2 in the Open Standard text

Knowledge

Articles and chapters

  • 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
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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
  • M6.3 — Baseline Change & Configuration Control

    1. Practical outcomeThe learner should be able to turn a bounded approval into a verified revision of the affected scope, schedule, budget, progress, risk and configuration records. They should preserve previous baselines, maintain relationships between approved, forecast and as-built information,…

    17 Oct 2026
  • M5.1 — Performance Measures & Indicators

    1. Practical outcomeThe learner should be able to turn a project objective and a management decision into a small, coherent set of performance measures. They should define what each measure means, calculate it from controlled evidence, establish an appropriate reference and response threshold,…

    17 Oct 2026

Discussions

4,155 discussions

  1. 5replies
    "KingPin" Retaining Wall
    Planning, Scheduling & Programming Discussionby Andrew Owenson· 18 years ago
  2. 5replies
    IT Planning, complete waste of time
    Planning, Scheduling & Programming Discussionby Douglas Young· 19 years ago
  3. 5replies
    Overlapping Activities
    Planning, Scheduling & Programming Discussionby Raphael M. Dua· 19 years ago
  4. 5replies
    criteria for Progress evaluating
    Planning, Scheduling & Programming Discussionby Aqil Mahmood· 19 years ago
  5. 5replies
    RIB Construction Suite
    Planning, Scheduling & Programming Discussionby A D· 19 years ago
  6. 5replies
    Testing - calendar days
    Planning, Scheduling & Programming Discussionby Ulysses Garcia· 19 years ago
  7. 5replies
    How can we Improve Programme Presentation
    Planning, Scheduling & Programming Discussionby David Brown· 19 years ago
  8. 5replies
    schedule option
    Planning, Scheduling & Programming Discussionby Sinan Fahmi· 19 years ago
  9. 5replies
    Budget preparation
    Planning, Scheduling & Programming Discussionby Ritesh Kumar· 19 years ago
  10. 5replies
    Just Asking
    Planning, Scheduling & Programming Discussionby Rick Aquino· 19 years ago

1,231–1,240 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
  • 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
  • Managing Project Assumptions & Risks

    We make hundreds of assumptions and take small risks daily. Without them, we would spend innumerable hours worrying about everything. We assume our car will start. Our air conditioner will work. The weather forecast is accurate. These daily assumptions are banal. Recovering from these risks may be i

    Alan Zucker

    4 Sept 2023
  • Work = Life Priorities

    Balancing our work and home lives is a challenge that nearly everyone faces. I was a single parent for many years and managed large teams and projects in Fortune 100 companies. It was not always easy. Recently, I was talking to an old friend and former colleague. When we worked together, she did not

    Alan Zucker

    4 Dec 2020

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