What does total float measure in project management?

Total float, also known as slack, is a crucial concept in project management that refers to the amount of time an activity can be delayed without affecting the overall project timeline or deadline. This metric is instrumental for project managers when scheduling tasks and managing resources efficiently.

When an activity has total float, it indicates flexibility within the project schedule. For instance, if a specific task can be postponed for a certain number of days without causing a delay to dependent tasks or the project's final delivery date, this is considered total float. Understanding total float allows project managers to prioritize tasks, allocate resources effectively, and mitigate risks associated with potential delays in specific parts of the project.

The other options describe aspects of project management that do not pertain directly to the measurement of total float. The total duration of the project, resource allocation, and the percentage of work completed are relevant to project scheduling and management but do not define the concept of total float specifically.