Final answer:
Kelly will use buffer instead of float for non-critical chain activities when using the critical chain method for her project management. Buffers provide additional time to manage uncertainties in non-critical tasks without impacting the project's critical chain.
Step-by-step explanation:
Kelly, while employing the critical chain method for her project network diagram, will utilize buffer instead of float for non-critical chain activities.
In the critical chain method, traditional float or slack is replaced with a managed buffer. Buffers are additional time added to non-critical tasks to prepare for potential delays without affecting the critical chain. These buffers are intended to protect the project against uncertainty and are a key part of the critical chain project management (CCPM) philosophy, which focuses on resources and prioritizes tasks on the critical chain over those on non-critical paths. By buffering non-critical tasks, Kelly can ensure that any variability in these tasks does not impact the critical chain, thus increasing the probability of completing the project on time. This approach differs from more traditional methods like the critical path method, where individual task durations include safety margins and where float is distributed throughout the network diagram.
In the critical chain method, Kelly will use buffer management instead of float for non-critical chain activities in her project network diagram.
Buffer management involves the allocation of project buffers at the end of each chain to protect against variations in activity durations. These buffers are shared by the non-critical chain activities. As the project progresses, the buffer consumption is monitored and managed to ensure that the critical chain activities remain on schedule.
By using buffer management, Kelly can account for uncertainties and delays that may arise in non-critical activities, without compromising the overall project schedule.