How is task slack calculated, and what does it indicate?

• A. Slack equals latest start minus earliest start; it indicates cushion or flexibility
• B. Slack equals project duration
• C. Slack equals cost variance
• D. Slack equals risk rating

Answer: (A)

Slack (or float) is the amount of time a task can be delayed without delaying the project finish. It is calculated as latest start minus earliest start. This difference shows the cushion or flexibility in the schedule: positive slack means you can delay the task a bit without affecting the end date, zero slack means the task is on the critical path and any delay will push the project end date, and larger slack means more scheduling freedom. This idea helps identify which tasks are critical and where you have room to adjust resources or timelines without harming the overall schedule.