Question 1

When developing project networks, which of the following is not a reason for delineating technical dependencies first before doing resource dependencies?
A) The interrelationships and interactions among time and resource constraints are complex for even small project networks.
B) Resource availability may not be known until the initial schedule is completed.
C) Even if resources are known, one cannot assess the impact of limited resources until a resource-neutral schedule is created.
D) An effort to examine the interactions between technical / logical constraints and resource limitations frequently uncovers surprising problems.
E) All of these alternatives are reasons for delineating technical dependencies first before doing resource dependencies.

Accepted Answer

All the provided options are valid reasons for prioritizing the delineation of technical dependencies before considering resource dependencies in project networks. This approach helps in understanding the project's structure and constraints without the immediate complication of resource limitations.

Question 2

Renovation of a small compartment in a houseboat or camping trailer that is too small for more than one person is an example of a(n) ________ resource constraint.
A) physical
B) people
C) material
D) equipment
E) budget

Accepted Answer

The correct answer is A) physical because the constraint is related to the limited space available, which is a physical limitation.

Question 3

If resource demand varies widely over the life of the project, the project manager can try to use slack (delaying noncritical activities) to accommodate insufficient resources. This process is called____.
A) resource scheduling
B) resource smoothing
C) resource-constrained scheduling
D) splitting
E) resource accommodation

Accepted Answer

Resource smoothing is a technique used in project management to adjust the activities of a project for the purpose of minimizing fluctuations in resource allocation. By using slack or delaying noncritical activities, it aims to make the demand on resources more uniform across the project timeline.

Question 4

When only one person is responsible for performing several activities, all due at the same time, this is an example of a(n) ________ constraint.
A) equipment
B) materials
C) technical
D) resource
E) logical

Accepted Answer

When a single person is responsible for multiple activities that are all due at the same time, it is an example of a resource constraint. This is because the individual's time and effort are the resources that are limited.

Question 5

Delaying noncritical activities to lower peak demand and, thus, increase resource utilization is called resource __________.
A) smoothing
B) slack utilization
C) switching
D) re-scheduling
E) overtime

Accepted Answer

Resource smoothing is a technique used in project management to adjust the activities of a project such that the requirements on resources do not exceed certain predefined limits. This is often done to avoid peaks and troughs in resource demand, thereby improving resource utilization without affecting the project's critical path.

Question 6

All leveling techniques delay noncritical activities by using ________ to reduce peak demand.
A) additional resources
B) additional time
C) positive risk
D) additional people
E) additional slack

Accepted Answer

Leveling techniques typically involve using additional slack (or float) in the schedule to adjust the start and finish times of noncritical activities. This helps in reducing peak demand on resources without affecting the overall project completion time.

Question 7

Which constraint category should be considered before all others?
A) Logical and technical constraints
B) Human resource constraints
C) Material resource constraints
D) Equipment resource constraints
E) Time constraints

Accepted Answer

Logical and technical constraints should be considered first because they define what is possible within the project's scope and establish the foundation for all other planning, including human resources, materials, equipment, and scheduling.

Question 8

A(n) ________ constraint addresses the sequence in which project activities must occur even after considering resource constraints.
A) predecessor
B) technical or logic
C) successor
D) serial
E) hard

Accepted Answer

Technical or logic constraints dictate the sequence in which project activities must occur, taking into account the inherent requirements of the project rather than resource availability.

Question 9

The shortage of memory chips to produce a printed circuit motherboard is an example of a(n) ________ type of resource constraint.
A) physical
B) people
C) material
D) equipment
E) budget

Accepted Answer

Memory chips are a type of material needed in the production of printed circuit motherboards, making a shortage of them a material resource constraint.

Question 10

Resource dependency takes priority over the technological dependency but does not violate ___________ dependencies.
A) equipment
B) time
C) technical
D) resource
E) logical

Accepted Answer

Technical dependencies are not violated by resource dependency.

Question 11

A shortage of software developers to create software is an example of a(n) ________ type of resource constraint.
A) physical
B) people
C) material
D) equipment
E) budget

Accepted Answer

Software development is primarily a human-centric task, requiring skilled individuals to write and test code. Therefore, a shortage of software developers falls under a "people" type of resource constraint, as it pertains to the availability of skilled personnel.

Question 12

When scheduling activities in a resource-constrained project, typically the activity scheduled first has the __________ amount of slack.
A) least
B) most
C) greatest
D) maximum
E) modest

Accepted Answer

The activity with the least amount of slack is typically scheduled first in a resource-constrained project to ensure that critical activities are completed on time, minimizing delays in the project schedule.

Question 13

In order that the new product is on the shelf for the Christmas buying season, the development of the new product would be classified as a(n) ________ -constrained project.
A) equipment
B) time
C) technical
D) resource
E) logical

Accepted Answer

The development of the new product is time-constrained because it must be completed by a specific deadline to be available for the Christmas buying season.

Question 14

If three copiers are needed to produce a final report on time and only two are available, the project is facing a(n) ________ type of resource constraint.
A) physical
B) people
C) material
D) equipment
E) budget

Accepted Answer

The project is facing an equipment constraint because copiers are considered equipment, and the lack of one copier is causing the constraint.

Question 15

When deciding which staff to team-up to work on work packages, factors to consider are:
A) Work habits.
B) Practical experience.
C) Years of working in the company.
D) Both work habits and practical experience.
E) Both practical experience and years of working in the company.

Accepted Answer

When teaming up staff for work packages, considering both work habits and practical experience is crucial. Work habits ensure team compatibility and efficiency, while practical experience ensures the necessary skills and knowledge are applied to the project. Years of working in the company might contribute to experience but do not solely determine the best team composition.

Question 16

A project manager has two engineers assigned to the project and does not have access to more even if the result means extending the completion date on the project. The project manager is managing a(n) ________.
A) time-constrained project
B) people-constrained project
C) engineer-constrained project
D) resource-constrained project
E) human-constrained project

Accepted Answer

The project manager is managing a resource-constrained project because the limitation is on the availability of resources (engineers), not on time or any other specific factor.

Question 17

Which of the following questions does a project manager NOT have to address when considering resources allocated to a project?
A) Will the assigned labor be adequate and available to deal with my project?
B) Will outside contractors have to be used?
C) Will scope have to be redefined / stabilized?
D) Do unforeseen resource dependencies exist?
E) How much flexibility do we have in using resources?

Accepted Answer

Scope definition and stabilization are primarily related to project planning and requirements management rather than directly to resource allocation. Resource allocation questions typically focus on the availability, adequacy, and flexibility of resources, as well as potential dependencies and the need for external contractors.

Question 18

When looking at the critical path for a delayed project and the project manager sees that adding resources will reduce or remove the delay, the project manager knows that the project is:
A) Over Allocated.
B) Time-Constrained.
C) Institutionally Challenged.
D) Ahead of schedule.
E) Unstable.

Accepted Answer

When a project manager identifies that adding resources will reduce or remove the delay in a project, it indicates that the project is time-constrained. This means the project's schedule is the primary limitation, and by allocating more resources, the project can potentially meet its original timeline or get closer to it.

Question 19

If it becomes necessary to delay one or several late starts to accommodate resource limitations, this is called:
A) Resource scheduling
B) Resource smoothing
C) Resource-constrained scheduling
D) Splitting
E) Resource accommodation

Accepted Answer

Resource-constrained scheduling involves adjusting the start times of tasks to manage the limitations of resources, ensuring that project demands do not exceed resource availability.

Question 20

While balancing assignments, a project manager must also balance:
A) Overall project cost.
B) Talent development.
C) Earned value.
D) Work package slack.
E) Project cost.

Accepted Answer

The answer of While balancing assignments, a project manager must...

Quiz 8: Scheduling Resources and Costs

When developing project networks, which of the following is not a reason for delineating technical dependencies first before doing resource dependencies?

Renovation of a small compartment in a houseboat or camping trailer that is too small for more than one person is an example of a(n) ________ resource constraint.

If resource demand varies widely over the life of the project, the project manager can try to use slack (delaying noncritical activities) to accommodate insufficient resources. This process is called____.

When only one person is responsible for performing several activities, all due at the same time, this is an example of a(n) ________ constraint.

Delaying noncritical activities to lower peak demand and, thus, increase resource utilization is called resource __________.

All leveling techniques delay noncritical activities by using ________ to reduce peak demand.

Which constraint category should be considered before all others?

A(n) ________ constraint addresses the sequence in which project activities must occur even after considering resource constraints.

The shortage of memory chips to produce a printed circuit motherboard is an example of a(n) ________ type of resource constraint.

Resource dependency takes priority over the technological dependency but does not violate ___________ dependencies.

A shortage of software developers to create software is an example of a(n) ________ type of resource constraint.

When scheduling activities in a resource-constrained project, typically the activity scheduled first has the __________ amount of slack.

In order that the new product is on the shelf for the Christmas buying season, the development of the new product would be classified as a(n) ________ -constrained project.

If three copiers are needed to produce a final report on time and only two are available, the project is facing a(n) ________ type of resource constraint.

When deciding which staff to team-up to work on work packages, factors to consider are:

A project manager has two engineers assigned to the project and does not have access to more even if the result means extending the completion date on the project. The project manager is managing a(n) ________.

Which of the following questions does a project manager NOT have to address when considering resources allocated to a project?

When looking at the critical path for a delayed project and the project manager sees that adding resources will reduce or remove the delay, the project manager knows that the project is:

If it becomes necessary to delay one or several late starts to accommodate resource limitations, this is called:

While balancing assignments, a project manager must also balance: