Analysis of an Anomaly: The Increase in Time Float following Consumption

One fundamental axiom for project plan and schedule relates to the notion that time float will be reduced following its consumption. However, an anomalous scenario can emerge in which an activity’s time float increases following its consumption. By exploring the associations between time float and...

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Main Authors: Jianxun Qi, Zhixiong Su
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2014-01-01
Series:The Scientific World Journal
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2014/415870
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author Jianxun Qi
Zhixiong Su
author_facet Jianxun Qi
Zhixiong Su
author_sort Jianxun Qi
collection DOAJ
description One fundamental axiom for project plan and schedule relates to the notion that time float will be reduced following its consumption. However, an anomalous scenario can emerge in which an activity’s time float increases following its consumption. By exploring the associations between time float and paths in activity networks, we (a) reveal the conditions under which the anomaly occurs and (b) summarize laws related to total float. An activity’s total float increases in parallel with its duration prolongation within a given boundary but remains constant or decreases in parallel with a prolongation outside the boundary. Furthermore, whereas a prolongation of an activity’s duration in excess of classic total float does not delay project completion time, a lag of its start time to a degree slightly greater than the total float does. This analysis reveals different types of total float that correspond to different ways of usage. From this, we offer definitions for translation total float and prolongation total float that deviate from traditional conventions regarding the uniqueness of total float.
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spelling doaj-art-2b878da706014c36aaa23dd818c0fcd72025-08-20T03:54:56ZengWileyThe Scientific World Journal2356-61401537-744X2014-01-01201410.1155/2014/415870415870Analysis of an Anomaly: The Increase in Time Float following ConsumptionJianxun Qi0Zhixiong Su1School of Economics and Management, North China Electric Power University, Beijing 102206, ChinaSchool of Economics and Management, North China Electric Power University, Beijing 102206, ChinaOne fundamental axiom for project plan and schedule relates to the notion that time float will be reduced following its consumption. However, an anomalous scenario can emerge in which an activity’s time float increases following its consumption. By exploring the associations between time float and paths in activity networks, we (a) reveal the conditions under which the anomaly occurs and (b) summarize laws related to total float. An activity’s total float increases in parallel with its duration prolongation within a given boundary but remains constant or decreases in parallel with a prolongation outside the boundary. Furthermore, whereas a prolongation of an activity’s duration in excess of classic total float does not delay project completion time, a lag of its start time to a degree slightly greater than the total float does. This analysis reveals different types of total float that correspond to different ways of usage. From this, we offer definitions for translation total float and prolongation total float that deviate from traditional conventions regarding the uniqueness of total float.http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2014/415870
spellingShingle Jianxun Qi
Zhixiong Su
Analysis of an Anomaly: The Increase in Time Float following Consumption
The Scientific World Journal
title Analysis of an Anomaly: The Increase in Time Float following Consumption
title_full Analysis of an Anomaly: The Increase in Time Float following Consumption
title_fullStr Analysis of an Anomaly: The Increase in Time Float following Consumption
title_full_unstemmed Analysis of an Anomaly: The Increase in Time Float following Consumption
title_short Analysis of an Anomaly: The Increase in Time Float following Consumption
title_sort analysis of an anomaly the increase in time float following consumption
url http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2014/415870
work_keys_str_mv AT jianxunqi analysisofananomalytheincreaseintimefloatfollowingconsumption
AT zhixiongsu analysisofananomalytheincreaseintimefloatfollowingconsumption