Definition

Forward Pass is a technique used in project management to calculate the earliest possible start and finish dates for each activity in a project. It is also known as the Early Start (ES) or Early Finish (EF) method. The forward pass is used to determine the critical path of a project, which is the sequence of activities that must be completed on time in order for the entire project to be finished on schedule.

Process

The forward pass begins by assigning an early start date to the first activity in the project. This date is then used to calculate the earliest possible start and finish dates for each subsequent activity. The process continues until all activities have been assigned an early start and finish date. Once this has been done, the critical path can be determined by identifying which activities have no slack time.

Benefits

The forward pass provides project managers with a clear view of which activities are critical to completing the project on time. It also helps them identify potential problems before they arise, allowing them to take corrective action if necessary. Additionally, it allows them to plan resources more effectively, as they can see which activities require more attention than others.