The critical path method calculates the theoretical early start and fi nish dates, and late start and finish dates, for all activities without regard for any resource limitations, by performing a forward and ackward pass analysis through the schedule network. The resulting early and late start and fi nish dates are not necessarily the project schedule; rather, they indicate the time periods within which the activity could be scheduled, given activity durations, logical relationships, leads, lags, and other known constraints.