Float Ownership Issues in Construction Project Management

Time is one of the critical components to completing a successful construction project. Critical Path Method (CPM) scheduling has long been a key process in managing time on a project. A byproduct of the CPM scheduling process is float, an often debated topic, particularly who has the right to use or control the float - who owns the float. The focus of this material will be on float ownership. A brief overview of CPM scheduling will be provided, including a more detailed explanation of what float is and how it is calculated. Various possibilities for the ownership of float will be presented and discussed. Actual contract provisions relating to float ownership will be presented and reviewed. The opinions of the courts from several cases involving the question of float will be provided and discussed. In conclusion, you will have a better understanding of what float is and its place in CPM scheduling.