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.
Usually, the first float path is the longest, with the most critical path activities.
(1) Define Column Design
To identify the top 3 float path activities and compare them against the baseline, the following columns need to be shown other than any column you want to display. See the sample layout picture below.
- Original Duration
- At Completion
- Activity % Complete
- Start
- Finish
- Current Total Float
- Baseline Total Float
- Variance Baseline Finish
(2) Select Filters
- Activity Status Filter ( Activity Status is not equal to complete)
- Float Path Filter (Float Path is less than or equal to 3 )
All selected Filter
Float Path Filter
(3) Change General Scheduling Options Setting
After all filters are selected, change schedule options setting to see the longest path and multiple float paths.
After all filters are selected, change schedule options setting to see the longest path and multiple float paths.
To do this:
(1) Go to Schedule Options as shown in snapshot below.
(2) Select “Make open-ended activities critical” and “Use Expected Finish Dates” to be as part of critical path.
(3) Select “Longest Path” to define critical activities as longest path.
(4) Change Advanced Scheduling Options Setting
For example, enter 10 to calculate 10 float paths in the schedule. P6 will show you the available float paths less than or equal to 10 although 10 float paths have been specified to calculate. Try to run the layout to see the differences.
- Select “Calculate multiple float paths” and Total Float.
- Select the activity which the longest path is ending on that activity, or
For example, enter 10 to calculate 10 float paths in the schedule. P6 will show you the available float paths less than or equal to 10 although 10 float paths have been specified to calculate. Try to run the layout to see the differences.

(5) Schedule (Press F9) it.
Once you done all of above step, save the layout . You will finally see the layout as shown in below. To enjoy this layout, simply download sample P6 schedule layout now.

Note: You won’t be able to see "Baseline bar", any data in "Baseline Total Float" and "Variance Baseline
Finish" column if the baseline wasn't available in your schedule.
In case if you are unsure how to assign and show baseline, learn more on How to fix the problem – Baseline Changes with the Data Date changes
Finish" column if the baseline wasn't available in your schedule.
In case if you are unsure how to assign and show baseline, learn more on How to fix the problem – Baseline Changes with the Data Date changes
Hello,
ReplyDeleteWhich could be the main purpose of this kind of layout? Only showing us where the critical paths are?
Best regards.
Dear reader, thanks for your comments. The purpose of this layout is to analyse critical path(s) and critical path activities so as to find out whether critical path(s) that shown by P6 program make sense to your project team prior to approval of baseline schedule and during execution. The most critical path (s) activities can be identified easily by using top 3 float path layout. Float Path 1 is the longest path which is the most critical path.
DeleteActivity sequence and activity duration are to be adjusted if the P6 critical path(s) doesn't represent what your project team thinks. As the success of project completion is really depending on how well project team manages them, your team should be focusing on the real critical path(s) and critical path activities. Take the corrective actions as necessary if the progress of any of these activities isn't achieved as per baseline plan.
Thank you for your help. I think this layout will help me in a next plant shutdown we will have to plan.
DeleteBest regards.
Hi, I dont see columns ' Baseline Total Float and Variance Baseline Finish'. Can you pls let me know hoe to bring these in Primavera ?
ReplyDeleteThanks,
Samba
Hi great reaading your post
ReplyDelete