Question 1

Free slack is calculated by finding the lowest of the values of total slack for all the activities entering into a specific activity and then

Accepted Answer

Free slack is the amount of time an activity can be delayed without delaying the subsequent activities or the project completion date. To calculate free slack, we need to find the lowest value of total slack for all the activities entering into a specific activity. This is because the activity with the lowest total slack is the one that is most critical to the project schedule. Once we have identified this activity, we subtract its total slack value from the total slack values of all other activities that also enter into the same activity. This gives us the free slack for that activity. So, choice C is correct as it subtracts the lowest value of total slack for the critical activity from the total slack values of all other activities that also enter into the same activity.

Question 2

Analyzing the schedule to determine which areas may need corrective action

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Question 3

The total completion time is 25 days.Task A is planned to take seven days.Task B is planned to take five days.Task C is planned to take eight days.The tasks have a serial relationship.How much slack does the project have?

Accepted Answer

The total completion time for the project is 25 days. The tasks have a serial relationship, meaning they are completed one after another. Therefore, the total time planned for tasks A, B, and C is 7 + 5 + 8 = 20 days. The difference between the total completion time and the planned time for the tasks is 25 - 20 = 5 days. This means the project has a positive 5 days slack.

Question 4

Schedule control involves four steps.Place these steps in their proper order by stating the letter sequence of their proper order. 
A.Analyzing the schedule to determine which areas may need corrective action
B.Recalculating the schedule to evaluate the effects of the planned corrective actions
C.Revising the plan to incorporate the chosen corrective actions
D.Deciding what specific corrective actions should be taken

Accepted Answer

The correct sequence for schedule control is first analyzing the schedule (A) to identify areas needing correction, then deciding on the specific corrective actions (D), followed by revising the plan to include these actions (C), and finally recalculating the schedule (B) to assess the impact of these actions.

Question 5

With respect to the project schedule, changes can result in any of the following except

Accepted Answer

Changes to the project scope, resource availability, and other factors may result in changes to the project schedule. However, the initial planning and sequencing of activities is not affected by changes once it has been established.

Question 6

As the project progresses, the actual finish times (AFs)of completed activities will determine

Accepted Answer

The actual finish times of completed activities will allow the project manager to calculate the earliest start and earliest finish times for the remaining activities in the network diagram, as well as the total slack. This is because the schedule can be updated based on the actual progress of the project, allowing for more accurate predictions of when activities will be completed and when subsequent activities can start. The latest start and finish times are determined based on the project deadline and the critical path, not the actual progress of the project.

Question 7

If the planned corrective actions do not result in an acceptable schedule, then

Accepted Answer

If the planned corrective actions do not result in an acceptable schedule, the project team needs to repeat the steps for schedule control. This involves revising the project plan and identifying alternative approaches to achieve the project objectives on time. Terminating the project, reverting to the original plan, or letting the customer decide are not always viable options and should be considered only as a last resort.

Question 8

The estimated duration for each activity is indicated by a bar spanning the period

Accepted Answer

The estimated duration for each activity is indicated by a bar spanning the period during which the activity is expected to be accomplished.

Question 9

The total completion time is 25 days.Task A is planned to take seven days.Task B is planned to take five days.Task C is planned to take eight days.The tasks have a serial relationship.Task A takes nine days to be completed instead of seven days.How much slack does the project have now that Task A is finished?

Accepted Answer

The total planned completion time is 25 days. Task A took 9 days instead of 7, adding 2 extra days. The planned duration for Task B and C remains the same (5 + 8 = 13 days). The total time used or needed is now 9 (for A) + 13 (for B and C) = 22 days. Therefore, the project has 25 - 22 = 3 days of slack.

Question 10

Free slack is the amount of time a specific activity can be

Accepted Answer

Free slack (or free float) is the amount of time that a specific activity can be delayed without delaying the earliest start time of any immediately following activities. It does not affect the start times of activities that come after it in the schedule.

Question 11

The key to effective project control is measuring actual progress and comparing it to planned progress on a timely and regular basis and

Accepted Answer

Taking any needed corrective action immediately based on the comparison between actual progress and planned progress is crucial for effective project control. This helps to ensure that the project stays on track and any potential issues are addressed promptly. Leaving the project to self-correct or fast tracking activities may not be feasible options, and making sure the critical path doesn't change is only one aspect of project control.

Question 12

A concentrated effort to accelerate project progress must be applied to the paths with negative slack to activities that

Accepted Answer

Activities with negative slack are critical and require immediate attention to avoid delaying the project completion date. Prioritizing the activities that are near term and those with long durations will ensure that the project is on track to meet its deadlines. Short activities may not have as significant an impact on the overall project timeline and may not require urgent attention. Cost and end of the project scheduling are not necessarily the most critical factors in determining which activities to prioritize.

Question 13

Eliminating negative slack by reducing durations of activities will involve a trade-off in the form of

Accepted Answer

Eliminating negative slack by reducing durations of activities means shortening the time required for activities to be completed. This may require additional work to be done in a shorter period of time which may result in additional costs or the need to reduce scope (i.e. reduce the amount of work to be done). Therefore, there may be an increase in costs or a reduction in scope as a trade-off. Option A and D are not possible as reducing durations of activities will either result in an increase in scope or a reduction in costs. Option B is incorrect as it states a decrease in costs and an expansion in scope which is not always possible in this scenario.

Question 14

Total slack is calculated for each of the activities by finding the difference between

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Question 15

Schedule control involves four steps.List the four steps in order.

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The answer of Schedule control involves four steps.List the four...

Question 16

The project control process must occur regularly throughout the project and include all of the following except

Accepted Answer

The project control process must occur regularly throughout the project and include record-keeping of changes to the project scope, schedule, and budget, gathering data on actual performance, and establishing regular reporting meetings to compare actual to planned progress. The option, having a single inspection of the project's deliverables at the end of the project, is not an accurate statement as it does not align with the regularity and continuous nature of project control processes.

Question 17

The total completion time is 25 days.Task A is planned to take seven days.Task B is planned to take five days.Task C is planned to take eight days.The tasks have a serial relationship.Task A takes nine days to be completed instead of seven days.What are the ES and EF times for Task B now that Task A is complete?

Accepted Answer

Since Task A took 9 days instead of 7, Task B can only start after Task A is completed, making its earliest start (ES) day 9. Task B is planned to take 5 days, so its earliest finish (EF) would be day 14 (9 + 5 = 14).

Question 18

Positive slack indicates the maximum amount of time

Accepted Answer

The answer of Positive slack indicates the maximum amount of...

Question 19

Negative slack indicates a lack of slack over the entire project and the amount of time

Accepted Answer

Negative slack means that the project is behind schedule and there is no room for delay. Thus, activities must be accelerated to complete the project by the required completion time. Delaying activities (option B) would only further push the project behind schedule. Option C and D are too extreme and not necessarily true for all cases of negative slack.

Question 20

The project control process involves all of the following except

Accepted Answer

Having social gatherings with the project team is not part of the project control process. The project control process is focused on monitoring and managing project activities to ensure that they are consistent with the project plan. This involves gathering data on project performance, comparing actual performance to planned performance, and taking corrective action if necessary.

Quiz 5: Developing the Schedule