What is the primary purpose of conducting a forward pass in scheduling?

The primary purpose of conducting a forward pass in scheduling is to identify the overall project duration. This process involves calculating the earliest start and finish times for each task in a project schedule, moving from the beginning of the project to the end. By doing so, stakeholders can ascertain the minimum time required to complete the project, factoring in task durations and dependencies.

In project management, understanding the overall project duration is critical because it helps in planning and aligns resources and timelines with stakeholders' expectations. The forward pass technique is essential for establishing a clear timeline, which can be crucial for effective project execution and meeting deadlines.