Objective 04: Preparing a Schedule

Question 1

What is the purpose of scheduling?

Answer 1

To accomplish a set of tasks in the most efficient manner within existing constraints in order to meet certain objectives

Question 2

Why do tasks have to be organized in a logical and time-efficient manner?

Answer 2

They are normally dependent on each other in some way

Question 3

What are the detailed steps to scheduling?

Answer 3

1. Identify all required tasks
2. Estimate the duration of each task
3. Identify required resources
4. Organize tasks into a logical order and determine dependencies between tasks
5. Apply resource and other constraints
6. Review the critical path and adjust resources as needed to meet planned deadlines
7. Estimate final cost and shutdown duration
8. Make tradeoffs as needed

Question 4

What is the first step in scheduling?

Answer 4

To fill in the task description and estimate the duration of the task

Question 5

Early Start

Answer 5

The earliest time that the task can be started, which may depend on the timing of the related tasks

Question 6

Early Finish

Answer 6

The earliest time that the task can be completed, which is determined by adding the early start time to the duration

Question 7

Late Finish

Answer 7

The latest time that the task can be completed without impacting overall completion time

Question 8

Late Start

Answer 8

The latest time that the task can be started without delaying the overall completion time, which is calculated by subtracting the duration from the late finish time

Question 9

Slack

Answer 9

The amount of time a task can be delayed after the early start time without impacting overall completion time

Question 10

What is the data required for scheduling a task?

Answer 10

1. Task Name
2. Early Start
3. Duration
4. Early Finish
5. Late Start
6. Slack
7. Late Finish

Question 11

What are possible task dependencies?

Answer 11

1. Parallel (no dependency)
2. Finish to Start
3. Start to Start with Delay
4. Finish to Finish with delay

Question 12

Parallel (No Dependency)

Answer 12

The 2 tasks are independent and the shortest completion time is achieved by doing them in parallel, as long as sufficient resources are available

Question 13

Finish to Start

Answer 13

Task C cannot be started until Task B has been completed, leaving slack time for Task A

Question 14

Start to Start with Delay

Answer 14

Task B cannot be started until after a delay following the start of Task A

Question 15

Finish to Finish with Delay

Answer 15

Task B cannot be finished until after a delay following the finish of Task A

Question 16

Which 2 dependencies are the most common?

Answer 16

1. Parallel (no dependency)

2. Finish to Start

Question 17

What does PERT stand for?

Answer 17

Program Evaluation and Review Technique

Question 18

How are task times filled out for PERT Charts?

Answer 18

1. The early start time is 0 for the first set of parallel tasks
2. The early finish time is filled in for each task by adding the duration to the early start time
3. The late finish time is the same for all parallel tasks and is determined by adding the longest duration (4 days) to the early start time (0)
4. The late start time is calculated for each task by subtracting the duration from the late finish time
5. The slack time is calculated by subtracting the early start from the late start time
6. Unless a delay is required before the next set of parallel tasks begins, the early start time is equal to the late finish time of the previous set of parallel tasks

Question 19

How do Gantt Charts display information?

Answer 19

As a timeline

Question 20

What is a strong point of Gantt Charts?

Answer 20

Their ability to clearly display overall progress

Question 21

Critical Path

Answer 21

All the tasks that will increase project completion time if they take longer than planned

Question 22

How is total completion time calculated?

Answer 22

Using the tasks on the critical path

Question 23

Which tasks should be looked at if total completion time needs to be reduced?

Answer 23

Tasks on the critical path

Question 24

What is the slack time for tasks on the critical path?

Answer 24

Always 0