A banana curve is a form of an s-curve used in project management. Nowadays, all project management or project scheduling software has facilities to provide the banana curve with a few clicks.
While developing the project network diagram, you identify each activity’s early start, early finish, late start, and late finish. These data help you find a total float, free float, critical path, near critical path, etc.
With this information, you can have two s-curves: the first uses early start dates, and the second uses late start dates.
The early start dates show the early dates the activities and the project can start.
The late start dates show the latest dates the activities and the project can start.
Likewise, the late start and late finish dates show how late the activities or projects can start and finish.
Now you can have two s-curves.
The first s-curve uses the early start and early finish dates, called early s-curve.
The second s-curve uses the late start and finish dates, which is called the late s-curve.
Now, when you plot both curves on a graph, the beginning and end of project curves overlap and form the shape of a banana, which is why this curve is known as the “banana curve.”
If you enter the actual data in the graph, the progress line will be between the two s-curves.
The banana curve helps find flexibility in the project schedule. However, if the actual progress is nearing the late s-curve, the project has a risk of being delayed.
Summary
In project management, a banana curve combines a late and early S-curve to form a banana shape. This visual tool helps project managers compare planned versus actual progress, allowing them to identify potential delays or gains. By superimposing the curves it highlights deviations, providing a clear view of performance against the project schedule.
Further reading:
- What is a S-Curve?
- Control Chart Vs Run Chart?
- Critical Chain Method?
- Critical Path Vs Critical Chain Method
- What is the Precedence Diagramming Method (PDM)?
References:
I am Mohammad Fahad Usmani, B.E. PMP, PMI-RMP. I have been blogging on project management topics since 2011. To date, thousands of professionals have passed the PMP exam using my resources.
Hi. I am working on a project that is thigh on schedule. We are claiming to Client the need a some sort of acceleration measures.
We have set now a new baseline and presented the early and late hour histograms, producing a “banana graph” with about 2 month gap at the widest between early and late. Now Client is asking how can this “float” in the project be compatible with our claim of needing acceleration measures.
Would be nice to receive your opinion on how can we answer our Client. Thanks and Best regards.