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Guide: Understanding Early Start and Early Finish Dates in the Critical Path Method (CAPM)

The CAPM, or Critical Path Method, involves several stages, one of which is determining Early Start and Early Finish dates.

What it is: The Early Start date is the earliest date a task can start, given the task dependencies and durations. The Early Finish date is the earliest date a task can finish, based on the task's Early Start date and duration.

Why it is important: These dates are essential in project management as they help identify the shortest time possible to complete a project. They also help in identifying which tasks can be delayed without affecting the project's finish date (also known as 'float' or 'slack').

How it works: To calculate the Early Start and Finish dates, one has to start at the beginning of the project (time zero) and work towards the end, following the sequence of tasks and their durations, ensuring that each task does not start before the previous dependent task has finished.

Exam Tips: Answering questions on Early Start and Early Finish Dates:

  • Understand the sequence and dependencies between tasks. Use a network diagram if provided or create one if not.
  • Familiarize yourself with how to calculate the Early Start (ES) and Early Finish (EF) dates. ES of the first task is always zero. For subsequent tasks, the ES is the EF of the predecessor. EF is ES plus task duration.
  • Practice by attempting various types of questions and reviewing solutions.
  • Remember, if there are multiple predecessors, the task can only start when all predecessors have finished. So, the ES is the maximum EF from all predecessor tasks.

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Early Start and Early Finish Dates practice test

In Critical Path Method (CPM), the early start (ES) and early finish (EF) dates concept is crucial. It represents the earliest start and end times for each project activity, assuming everything prior was completed as soon as possible. ES is calculated from the project start towards the finish, and EF is computed by adding the activity’s duration to its ES. Knowing these dates is vital for efficient project planning and avoiding unnecessary delays. Also, it facilitates flexible resource management.

Time: 5 minutes   Questions: 5

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Certified Associate in Project Management Preparation Package (2024)

  • Earn 15 PDUs needed for your CAPM certification
  • 8521 Superior-grade Certified Associate in Project Management practice questions.
  • Accelerated Mastery: Deep dive into critical topics to fast-track your mastery.
  • Unlock Effortless CAPM preparation: 5 full exams.
  • 100% Satisfaction Guaranteed: Full refund with no questions if unsatisfied.
  • Bonus: If you upgrade now you get upgraded access to all courses
  • Risk-Free Decision: Start with a 7-day free trial - get premium features at no cost!