Page 62 - Customize-Project-Plan-by-tailoring-Smartsheet

Customize your Project Plan
   
by tailoring Smartsheet

23.1.1. Forward Pass

 The Forward Pass is recommended, otherwise you rob yourself of possible "buffer time". This
"buffer time" is called in project management "slack time".

 Forward planning is the default in Smartsheet (and by the way, in Microsoft Project as well).


 Forward Pass Planning: All tasks begin as early as possible.

 Caution: Please only enter the first (1st) date (the start date); because all other dates will be
then later calculated by using "Dependencies" / "Predecessors" and "Durations", which will
make the schedule of the project plan "swim / float" more or less forward into the future.

 Watch the little arrows in the GANTT-chart to recognize at a glance the pass direction.

 Important: The milestone of row 8, pictured in the screenshot here, is a "Solid Milestone" (see
about "Solid Milestone", at chapter "18.1 Milestones", page 52).

Finish
Today

Start

Due Date

TODAY   DUE DATE

More information on the internet:

https://monday.com/blog/project-management/forward-pass-project-management

© Hans Porzel, 10/2025 | CAPM® (PMI), PSM I® (Scrum.org), Smartsheet Prod. Cert® 2020 Page 62 / 209 pages