Final answer:
In project management's backward pass, for burst activities, which are tasks with multiple successors, one must use the smallest LF among these successors to determine the preceding activity's LS.
Step-by-step explanation:
When completing a backward pass in project management, the late start (LS) of a preceding activity is set by carrying over the late finish (LF) of the next activity. However, if the next preceding activity is a burst activity - an activity that has more than one successor - instead of simply carrying over the LS to establish the LF, one must select the smallest LF among all successors. This approach ensures that the project's overall schedule is not delayed. The late finish of the immediately following activities influences the start of the preceding activity, but in the case of burst activities, due consideration must be given to all paths emanating from the burst to determine the correct late start.