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Multiple Float Paths in P5

8 replies [Last post]
Wed, 2007-08-15 06:27
Oliver Melling
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All,

Does anyone have experience of using multiple float paths in P5?

I have a programme that is well behind schedule and am wanting to analyze some what-if scenarios.

The HVAC design currently has dibs on the majority of critical path and I plan to see if expediting this will help recover.

I don’t want an explanation of how to apply multiple float paths, I want to know whether to use the total / free float method and the best way to analyze the float path & float path order columns.
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Fri, 2007-08-17 10:05
#1
Oliver Melling
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Ronald,

In the end I didn’t use the multiple float path option in P5.

I traced the original critical path back to a point where several DOCUMENTS predecessed a FINAL MEETING. Then I checked the predecessor relationship float (PRF) of each DOCUMENT that fed into the final meeting and copied them into excel for sorting.

Subsequently each DOCUMENT was fed by multiple AREAS and so i did the same for the PRF of each AREA.

The majority of the critical path was made up of SYSTEM DESIGNS; there are up to ten SYSTEM DESIGNS that feed in to each DOCUMENT. Once again i copied the id’s, names, and the PRF of each SYSTEM DESIGN into excel.

By adding the PRF of each level, my aim was to get the value of float for activities the may possibly arrive on the critical path and sorting them to give a list of importance for the PM

Hope this makes sense

Oliver
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Fri, 2007-08-17 09:32
#2
Ronald Winter
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No. A Float Path number is the ranking of order from highest to lowest (with “1” being the longest path.) A Float Path of "3" is just the third float path and may be 1 to 1000 days away from being on the longest path.

Longest Path Value generates a number similar to float that is measured in days (or hours.) A Longest Path Value of “3” would indicate that the activity is 3 days away from being on the longest path.

Also, you will quickly notice that in complicated situations, Multiple Critical Paths identifies paths that do not make sense (such as starting 1/2 of the way through the project or consisting entirely of completed activities.)
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Fri, 2007-08-17 09:21
#3
Oliver Melling
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Ronald,

Is this the same number that is given in P5 under the float path order column? (when multiple float paths have been run)

Regards,

Oliver
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Fri, 2007-08-17 09:17
#4
Ronald Winter
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If you want an analytical method otoreview sub-critical longest paths, you should take a look at Longest Path Value software developed by Ron Winter Consulting LLC (my company.) It computes a numerical value of how far each activity is from the longest path and inserts that number into the schedule for you use in grouping, sorting, and filtering.

The brochure is to be found at http://ronwinterconsulting.com/sa_long.htm. I have presented papers on this subject at AACEi, PMI CoS, and Primavera conventions. This is a concept that is fully explained and very useful.
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Fri, 2007-08-17 07:56
#5
Oliver Melling
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Patricia,

I also use driving on occasion.
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Fri, 2007-08-17 06:34
#6
Patricia Le Clainche
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Hello,

I also use the field "Driving".
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Fri, 2007-08-17 04:06
#7
Oliver Melling
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Roger,

I have decided to use the relationship float columns in the predecessor / successor tabs to put the activities of sub-critical paths in order.
Only problem is trying get the information out of the tabs, because it is not possible copy & paste!

Cheers,

Oliver
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Fri, 2007-08-17 04:01
#8
Roger Booth
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Oliver
I would use total/free float fields and try to group and sort it somehow. You can then work out what can be done to retrieve the situation.
You know how the programme is built up and are the best person to work it out.
Sorry if this is not much help, but this is what I would do. Depending how big the schedule is, depends how long it will take you.
Good luck
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