How to Calculate a Forward Pass

A forward pass is a single part of the Critical Path Method used in project management. Performing a forward pass will generate a numerical value in days for the early start and early finish for each task in the project. Record this visually on a network diagram, helping the Project Manager determine which tasks in the project can experience a delay and still complete on time without jeopardizing the project's current baseline completion date.

Things You'll Need

  • Network diagram listing all tasks and durations of tasks in the project
Show More

Instructions

  1. Calculating ES and EF

    • 1

      Assign an ES of zero to each of the initial tasks. Calculate the EF of each initial task by adding the task duration to the ES.

    • 2

      Identify the next task on the network diagram starting at the top of the diagram. This task should come right after the initial tasks. The ES of this task will be the EF of the task that proceeds it. If multiple tasks proceed it, the ES is equal to the longest EF of the immediately proceeding tasks. The EF of this task is equal to the ES plus the duration of the task. Follow this step for each remaining task in the diagram.

    • 3

      Calculate the earliest completion by taking the longest EF from the last task in the diagram. If multiple tasks feed into the completion node then the earliest completion is the longest EF of the tasks that feeds into it. Earliest completion tells the project manager what is the best case scenario for finishing the project on time.