Which technique builds a schedule by moving forward in time and observing capacity limits, typically using a Gantt chart?

• A. Backward scheduling
• B. Rough-cut capacity planning
• C. Finite forward schedule
• D. Critical path method

Answer: (C)

The technique being described is about building a schedule by moving forward in time and checking available capacity, usually laid out on a timeline like a Gantt chart. You start from the present and place each operation as soon as the needed capacity (machines, people, tools) is available, ensuring you don’t exceed what’s on hand. This finite forward approach yields a feasible, time-based plan that respects resource limits as it progresses.

Backward scheduling would instead start from a due date and work backward to determine when tasks must start, not forward. Rough-cut capacity planning looks at capacity at a high, aggregate level rather than detailing a day-by-day schedule with resource constraints. The critical path method focuses on the longest sequence of dependent tasks to determine project duration and does not inherently enforce capacity limits in the scheduling.