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.

Usually, the first float path is the longest, with the most critical path activities. 

In short, I have demonstrated a sample layout with top-3 float path activities in this tutorial using Oracle Primavera P6. You can have more than the top 3 float paths by simply changing the float path filter. Follow the following steps to make this layout.

(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

This layout is created by the combination of total two selected filters. See below snapshot.

• 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

Activity Status 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.

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

• Select “Calculate multiple float paths” and Total Float.
• Select the activity which the longest path is ending on that activity, or 

Specify the total number of float paths that you want P6 to calculate. Leave the box "Display   multiple float paths ending with activity" with the blank in this option. See the below P6 snapshot.

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