Start here · Foundation
What is the Critical Path Method?
The forward pass, the backward pass and float, worked through on an interactive example. The foundation for everything else in Learn.
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Learn construction scheduling
Practical guides to the Critical Path Method, float, the data date and Primavera P6 files, written for construction planners.
Critical Path Method
How a schedule calculates its dates.
What is the Critical Path Method?
A step-by-step guide to the forward pass, backward pass and float, with an interactive worked example.
Read guideCritical path vs longest path
The two definitions of critical in P6, when they agree, and why constraints and calendars make them differ.
Read guidePut it into practice: open a programme in the Programme Workspace to see its critical activities.
Total float
How much time an activity's path can absorb.
Programme updates and progress
Statusing a schedule and comparing revisions.
The data date: what it is and how it goes wrong
How the data date anchors remaining work, how actual dates relate to it, and P6's options for out-of-sequence progress.
Read guidePercent Complete analysis
Compare physical percent complete with duration consumed for each activity in a P6 XER.
Open toolPut it into practice: open a programme in Plan and compare it with the next update; sign in only to save it.
Primavera P6
Files, calendars and settings.
Schedule quality
Checking that a programme is fit to rely on.
About these guides. Guides were last reviewed for technical accuracy on 17 October 2026. They describe general scheduling practice and Primavera P6 behaviour; check your organisation's scheduling specification and Oracle's documentation for your P6 version before relying on a specific setting. Spotted an error? Tell us.