Sample P6 Schedule Layout for Top 3 Float Paths

Once a suitable network has been developed, with duration and resources assigned to all activities, it is necessary to review the longest path through the project before baseline schedule is established. Scheduling Software will simply tell you where the longest path or critical paths are. Normally, a critical path should be extended from the beginning to the end of a project. Review the longest path or critical path(s) using float path layout and validate those activities on critical paths with project team to ensure it makes sense to them.

It is not easy to analyse critical path activities in case you have more than three thousand activities in your project. By having float path layout, the most critical activities or nearly critical activities can be easily reviewed to identify high risk activities when schedule risks are assessed.

When the project is underway, these activities can be thoroughly reviewed with the contractor and prioritized to take corrective action as defined using this float path layout. As this layout is important, especially for the project management team, it may be used as part of the monthly or fortnightly report.

How to Create and Assign Baseline (Target) Plan in Primavera P3

Follow the below steps to create targeted plan in Primavera P3.

1. Open the project you want to create a baseline,

2. Go to > Tools > Project Utilities > Targets,

3. If you want to create a target plan using current project plan, Click the target column in Targets box and enter four digit project name (SPJ2) for the target project. Target project name must be different with project name (SPJ1). See figure below.

Working with Baseline Plan in Planning and Scheduling

Baseline data: The original approved plan (Cost and Schedule) is an important data in planning and scheduling. The baseline data include the planned starts, plan finish dates and duration for all activities/deliverables to be performed or delivered within the time frame and the contractual deadline such as purchased order issued date, completion of project area/unit, phases, major accomplishment or deliverable, mechanical completion, project finish, major equipment on site, etc. These should be maintained during project life cycle.

These useful data are utilized as a performance measurement baseline during execution. When any contractual dates or major accomplishment dates slipped away from the original plan, usually highlight to the management to have dialogue with project team, customer and client/owner for the delayed activities or deliverables to be resolved as soon as possible , and develop the mitigation plans to maintain the completion date of its predecessor activities.