Critical Path Challenge. Criticality of the last activity.

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The critical path is not, and never has been defined by Float.  Float is a computation affected by both calendars and imposed constraints. 

The definition included in ISO 21500 Guide to Project Management, is: Critical Path: sequence of activities that determine the earliest possible completion date for the project or phase.  See: https://www.mosaicprojects.com.au/WhitePapers/WP1043_Critical_Path.pdf

One 'phase' in your scenario is achieving 'go live' (or handover, or practical completion); the end of the final phase is project completion (ie, no more work to do).  The work up to 'go live' will have float (positive or negative) based on the constrained date for this activity, or if the date does not matter the rest of the work to actually finish the project which again may, or may not have a constrained date.   The critical path is not necessarily aligned with important requirements - one of the many anomalies in the CPM method.

For more on this important subject see The Critical Path and Float at: https://mosaicprojects.com.au/PMKI-SCH-012.php#Process5