Float (project management)

Float (sometimes called slack or free float) in project management is the amount of time that a task in a project can be delayed without delaying the completion of the whole project. It basically gives you a bit of extra time to work on the project in case something takes longer than you expect, like fixing a bug or waiting for materials. Imagine you need to cook a meal for a party by 6pm, but the grocery store is closed until 5pm. The float would be the extra hour between 5pm and 6pm that you have to buy the ingredients and cook the meal. Float is important to help you manage projects so that you don't run out of time and everything is done on schedule.