{
  "example_kind": "original synthetic manual planning case",
  "slug": "parallel-path-finish-driver",
  "title": "Find the path that drives a toy schedule",
  "scenario": "Synthetic planning case: A toy production network has branch A: brief two days then artwork four; branch B: data preparation three days. Both branches must finish before one day of final assembly.",
  "layout": "network",
  "dataset": {
    "heading": "Inspect the invented case records",
    "headers": [
      "Activity",
      "Duration in model days",
      "Predecessor"
    ],
    "rows": [
      [
        "Brief",
        "2",
        "Start"
      ],
      [
        "Artwork",
        "4",
        "Brief"
      ],
      [
        "Data preparation",
        "3",
        "Start"
      ],
      [
        "Assembly",
        "1",
        "Artwork and data"
      ]
    ]
  },
  "derivation": "Branch A reaches the merge after 2+4=6 days; B after three. Assembly starts at max(6,3)=6 and finishes at day seven.",
  "result": "With independent resources and all inputs ready at day zero, branch A drives the seven-day earliest finish. Shortening branch B alone does not shorten that finish.",
  "boundary": "This identifies the finish-driving path in a complete toy network, beyond describing a dependency handoff.",
  "limitations": "Resource contention, missing dependencies and duration uncertainty are excluded. A model earliest finish is not a promised date.",
  "sources": [
    "schedule"
  ],
  "tasks": [
    [
      "Verify the network edges",
      "Planning owner",
      "Assembly requires both completed branches, with no missing input edges."
    ],
    [
      "Compare branch lengths",
      "Scheduler",
      "Six days to artwork exceeds three days to data under the supplied durations."
    ],
    [
      "Target the driving condition",
      "Delivery lead",
      "Any finish-shortening proposal changes the six-day branch or assembly, with resources rechecked."
    ]
  ],
  "faqs": [
    [
      "Why not add both branches?",
      "They are parallel with separate resources in this example; the merge waits for the later branch."
    ],
    [
      "Does seven days predict actual delivery?",
      "No. It is a deterministic result of invented durations, complete inputs and the stated resource assumptions."
    ]
  ],
  "method_references": [
    {
      "id": "schedule",
      "title": "GAO Schedule Assessment Guide",
      "url": "https://www.gao.gov/products/gao-16-89g",
      "scope": "General schedule-model context. All records, local policies and arithmetic are original toy examples, not a certified or optimized schedule."
    }
  ]
}