In theCMAA Construction Management Standards of Practice (SOP), underChapter 4 – Time Management, the process known as theForward Passis defined as the method used in Critical Path Method (CPM) scheduling to determine theearliest possible start (ES)andearliest possible finish (EF)dates for all schedule activities. It also calculates thetotal project durationby progressing through the schedule network from the project start date to the project completion date.
The CMAA explains that:
“A Forward Pass calculates the earliest start and finish times for each activity in a schedule network diagram, thereby identifying the earliest date the project can be completed.”
This calculation is essential for establishing thecritical path—the sequence of activities that determines the project’s overall duration. The Forward Pass is always followed by theBackward Pass, which calculates the latest allowable start and finish times to identify float.
References (CMAA Construction Manager Documents / Study Guide):
CMAA Construction Management Standards of Practice, Chapter 4 – Time Management, Section: “Schedule Development and Analysis,” pp. 47–50.
CMAA CM Study Guide, Time Management Domain, Objective 4.3: “Perform forward and backward pass calculations to determine the critical path.”
