Guide: Understanding and Answering Questions on the Backward Pass Concept

The Backward Pass, a crucial part of the Critical Path Method (CAPM), is fundamental in project management.

What is the Backward Pass?
The Backward Pass is a process in project management for calculating the late start and late finish dates for uncompleted activities by working backwards through the project schedule from the project’s end date.

Why is it important?
It establishes the latest possible times that activities can start and finish without delaying the project. It helps to identify the tasks with zero float called the 'critical path'. These are the tasks that cannot be delayed without affecting the project's finish date.

How it Works?
The process begins at the end point of the project. The late finish dates of each activity are set to the earliest of its successor's late start date, and the process works all the way back until the start of the project.

How to Answer Questions on Backward Pass in an Exam?
It's important to first understand the question: determine which activities are being referenced, and the specific information asked about these activities. Use the formulas associated with backward pass to find out the late start and late finish dates. Always remember that late start is equal to late finish minus the task duration plus one. And, late finish is the earliest late start of all successor activities.

Exam Tips:

• Read the question thoroughly and understand what is specifically asked.
• Sketch a network diagram if one is not provided.
• Do not forget to calculate using the right formula.
• Practice different network diagrams before heading into an exam.