7. Negative float
Incomplete activities with total float below zero.
- Default threshold
- None
- On the demo programme
- Fail153 of 362 incomplete activities
Definition
Negative float means the plan can't meet a date it is held to: a constraint, a key date or the project's must-finish date.
How the app counts it
- Measured on incomplete activities with a float value. The list is sorted from the most negative.
- Any negative float fails the check at the default threshold of zero.
Thresholds, the counting basis and whether the check counts towards the score can all be changed. See settings.
Why it matters
It is the programme telling you it is late. It is not a defect to edit away; it needs recovery or a notice under the contract.
How to fix it in P6
- Find the constraint producing it: Insights lists the constraints driving negative float, and how much of it each accounts for. 'On or after' constraints never produce negative float.
- Recover the logic to meet the date, with more resource, re-sequencing or overlap you can justify, or record the delay and notify it.
- Don't remove the constraint just to clear the float. The date it represents is still late.