What is the main cause of float erosion?

Float erosion primarily occurs when delays or changes in a project consume the total float available in the schedule. Total float, also known as total slack, represents the amount of time that a task can be delayed without impacting the project’s overall completion date. When unforeseen issues arise, such as delays in deliverables, resource availability changes, or additional tasks being added, these can result in the total float being diminished or eliminated. As this occurs, the flexibility in the schedule is reduced, jeopardizing the timely completion of subsequent tasks.

In an effective project schedule, maintaining float is crucial as it provides room for adjustments and enables project managers to respond to changes. Therefore, when delays or modifications occur, the float that was originally allocated for unforeseen circumstances may be used up, leading to a scenario where there is little to no buffer left for future issues. This situation can create significant challenges in managing the project timeline and resources effectively.