Question 1

To use the enumeration method of determining the critical path,we list or enumerate all of the paths through the network.

Accepted Answer

The statement is true. The enumeration method involves listing all possible paths through the network and then determining which path has the longest duration, as it represents the critical path.

Question 2

The critical path is the sequence of schedule activities determining the duration of the project,and is generally the shortest path through the project.

Accepted Answer

The critical path is indeed the sequence of schedule activities determining the duration of the project, but it is the longest path through the project, not the shortest.

Question 3

The most common type of logical dependency to determine the sequence of project activities is "finish-to-finish" (FF).

Accepted Answer

The most common type of logical dependency to determine the sequence of project activities is actually "finish-to-start" (FS), where one activity cannot start until its predecessor activity has finished. While "finish-to-finish" (FF) is a type of dependency, it is not the most common.

Question 4

When developing a project schedule,total float refers to the amount of time a schedule activity may be delayed from its early start date without delaying the project end date.

Accepted Answer

Total float is the amount of time a schedule activity can be delayed without delaying the project end date. It is important to monitor total float to ensure that the project remains on track and any potential delays are identified early.

Question 5

The length of time to perform an activity is often dependent upon who will do that work.

Accepted Answer

The skill level and experience of the person performing an activity can have a significant impact on the time it takes to complete the task. Different people may work at different paces or have different techniques that affect efficiency, so the length of time needed can vary depending on the individual.

Question 6

The "start-to-start" logical relationship used in activity sequencing applies to the case in which a successor activity cannot start until a predecessor activity has started.

Accepted Answer

The "start-to-start" logical relationship means that the successor activity cannot start until the predecessor activity has started. This type of relationship is used in activity sequencing to ensure that the necessary inputs are available for the successor activity to begin. Therefore, the statement is true.

Question 7

A mandatory dependency is a logical relationship between activities that must happen - usually due to a physical or legal demand.

Accepted Answer

A mandatory dependency is a type of dependency that exists when one activity cannot start or finish until a preceding activity is completed or in progress. This type of dependency is typically driven by physical or legal constraints that require certain activities to be completed before others can begin.

Question 8

There is often terrific pressure to complete a project as quickly as possible.To confront this pressure,a project manager should quickly promise to meet the deadlines requested by the sponsor and then assemble a team to create the corresponding schedule.

Accepted Answer

While there may be pressure to complete a project quickly, it is important for a project manager to first thoroughly evaluate the project requirements and capabilities before promising any deadlines. Rushing into creating a schedule without proper planning can lead to unrealistic expectations and a higher likelihood of delays or failure in the project.

Question 9

In the enumeration method the project schedule is calculated many times (perhaps 1,000 or more),and each time,the estimate for a particular activity is generated based on the likelihood of that time as determined by the project manager.

Accepted Answer

The description given refers to the Monte Carlo simulation method, not the enumeration method. Monte Carlo simulation involves running many simulations to calculate the possible outcomes of a project schedule, using probability distributions for activity durations.

Question 10

If the project manager changes an activity on the critical path to start at a later date,then the whole project will end at a later date.

Accepted Answer

Since the critical path determines the shortest possible duration of the project, any delay in an activity on the critical path will delay the entire project. Therefore, if the project manager changes an activity on the critical path to start at a later date, the whole project will end at a later date.

Question 11

While the lowest level of decomposition in a WBS is the work package,work packages can still be decomposed further into work activities.

Accepted Answer

Work packages can be further broken down into work activities, which are the smallest and most specific level of the WBS.

Question 12

A Gantt chart is a horizontal bar chart that shows each work activity on a separate line with the bar placed from the early start date to the early finish date for each activity on a timescale.

Accepted Answer

This is a correct definition of a Gantt chart.

Question 13

In order for activities to be useful as schedule building blocks,they should have tangible output that can be verified.

Accepted Answer

Activities that have tangible output that can be verified are more useful as schedule building blocks because they can be measured and tracked for progress and completion. This helps ensure that the project stays on track and meets its goals.

Question 14

PERT refers to Program Evaluation and Review Technique,which was developed in the 1950s to better understand how variability in the individual activity durations impacts the entire project schedule.

Accepted Answer

PERT was indeed developed in the 1950s to analyze the impact of variability in activity durations on project schedules.

Question 15

GANTT refers to the Generalized Activity Network Tracking Technique which was developed to better understand how variability in the duration of individual activities impacts the expected project duration.

Accepted Answer

GANTT stands for "Gantt chart," which is used for project management and represents a graphical representation of tasks and timelines.

Question 16

The primary advantage of PERT is that it removes uncertainty from the estimates of activity durations,thereby increasing confidence in the reliability of a project schedule.

Accepted Answer

PERT (Program Evaluation and Review Technique) incorporates uncertainty by using optimistic, pessimistic, and most likely estimates for activity durations, rather than removing it. This approach helps in understanding the variability and potential risks in the project schedule, rather than eliminating uncertainty.

Question 17

Except in rare circumstances,project teams should not attempt to decompose work packages into project activities because work packages provide sufficient detail to develop a project schedule.

Accepted Answer

Work packages provide high-level descriptions of the deliverables, but they do not provide enough detail to develop a project schedule. Project teams need to further decompose work packages into smaller activities to create a detailed project schedule with clear timelines and dependencies. However, in some rare circumstances where the project is small and simple, decomposing work packages may not be necessary.

Question 18

A successor activity is the schedule activity that follows a predecessor activity,as determined by their logical relationship.

Accepted Answer

This statement accurately defines what a successor activity is in the context of project management.

Question 19

The first process in developing a project schedule is to identify all the resources available to work on the project.

Accepted Answer

The first process in developing a project schedule is to identify all the activities required to complete the project, estimate their duration, and sequence them. Only after this step, resources can be assigned to the activities and a project schedule can be created.

Question 20

Even small delays on "near-critical" activities can change the critical path of a project.

Accepted Answer

This is true as the critical path of a project is determined by the activities that cannot be delayed without causing a delay in the overall project timeline. Therefore, even a small delay in a "near-critical" activity can have a domino effect and ultimately change the critical path of the project.

Quiz 8: Scheduling Projects