The earliest finish time for an activity is equal to the latest finish time minus the activity time. True False
The correct answer and explanation is :
False.
The earliest finish time (EFT) for an activity is not determined by the latest finish time (LFT) minus the activity duration. Instead, it is calculated based on the earliest start time (EST) and the activity duration.
Correct Formula:
[
EFT = EST + Duration
]
Explanation:
In project scheduling and network analysis (e.g., Critical Path Method or CPM), activities are evaluated based on their earliest and latest times to determine the project schedule.
- Earliest Start Time (EST):
- The earliest time an activity can start, considering the completion of all its predecessor activities.
- Determined in the forward pass of the network diagram.
- Earliest Finish Time (EFT):
- The earliest time an activity can be completed.
- Formula:
[
EFT = EST + Duration
]
- Latest Finish Time (LFT):
- The latest time an activity can finish without delaying the project.
- Determined in the backward pass of the network diagram.
- Latest Start Time (LST):
- The latest time an activity can start without delaying the project.
- Formula:
[
LST = LFT – Duration
]
Why the Given Statement is Incorrect
The statement suggests that:
[
EFT = LFT – Duration
]
However, EFT is calculated from EST, not LFT. LFT is used for calculating LST, which is different from EFT.
Thus, the correct relationship is:
- Earliest Finish Time (EFT) = Earliest Start Time (EST) + Duration
- Latest Start Time (LST) = Latest Finish Time (LFT) – Duration
Since the given statement incorrectly relates EFT and LFT, the answer is False.