Scheduling

Question 1

Network Diagram

Answer 1

A graph that shows the activities, duration, and interdependencies of tasks within a project.

Question 2

Node

Answer 2

Represents the start or end of an activity in a sequence.

Question 3

Early Finish

Answer 3

Used in a networking diagram, this represents the earliest date that the activity can finish.

Question 4

Early Start

Answer 4

Used in a networking diagram, this represents the earliest date that the activity can start.

Question 5

Precedence Diagramming Method (PDM)

Answer 5

A technique used to create the network diagram. It constructs a schedule model in which activities are represented by nodes (Activity on Node - AoN) and are graphically linked by one or more logical relationships to show the sequence in which the activities are to be performed.

Question 6

What is a schedule model?

Answer 6

A schedule model is a representation of the plan for executing the project’s activities including durations, dependencies, and other planning information, used to produce a project schedule. [PMBOK® Guide 7th edition, Page 249] (Domain: Process, Task 6)

Question 7

schedule management plan

Answer 7

A schedule management plan documents the schedule management processes on a project but not the schedule model itself. [PMBOK® Guide 7th edition, Page 249] (Domain: Process, Task 6)

Question 8

What 4 steps make up the Schedule planning process?

Answer 8

Define activities,
Sequence activities
Estimate activity durations
Develop schedule

Question 9

Lag

Answer 9

In dependencies, refers to the amount of time whereby a successor activity will be delayed with respect to a preceding activity on the critical path.

Question 10

Lead

Answer 10

In dependencies, refers to the amount of time whereby a successor activity can be advanced (started) with respect to predecessor activity.

Question 11

Schedule Baseline

Answer 11

The approved version of a schedule model that can be changed using formal change control procedures and is used as the basis of comparison to actual results. It is one of the main project documents that should be created before the project starts.

Question 12

Schedule Compression

Answer 12

A method used to shorten the schedule duration without reducing the project scope.

Question 13

Schedule Forecast

Answer 13

Estimates or predictions of conditions and events in the project’s future based on information and knowledge available at the time the schedule is calculated.

Question 14

Schedule Management Plan

Answer 14

A component of the project or program management plan that establishes the criteria and the activities for developing, monitoring, and controlling the schedule.

Question 15

Schedule Performance Index (SPI)

Answer 15

Schedule Performance Index (SPI) is a measure of schedule efficiency, expressed as the ratio of earned value over planned value. Less than 1 = behind schedule. Greater than 1 = ahead of schedule.

Question 16

Schedule Variance (SV)

Answer 16

A measure of schedule performance is expressed as the difference between the earned value and the planned value.

Question 17

Slack

Answer 17

Used in the critical path method. Amount of time that a task can be delayed without affecting the deadlines of other subsequent tasks. (same as Float)

Question 18

Backward Pass

Answer 18

Technique for calculating the late start and late finish dates of the schedule activities. This is part of the critical path method and is paired with forward pass to determine activity and schedule float along with the critical path.

Question 19

Bar Chart

Answer 19

A graphic display of schedule-related information. In the typical bar chart, schedule activities or WBS components are listed down the left side of the chart, dates are shown across the top, and activity durations are shown as date-placed horizontal bars. See also “Gantt Chart”.

Question 20

Critical Path

Answer 20

The sequence of activities that represents the longest path through a project, which determines the shortest possible duration.

Question 21

Critical Path Method (CPM)

Answer 21

A technique of schedule analysis in which schedule activities (Activity on Arrow - AoA) are evaluated to determine the float or slack for each activity and the overall schedule. To calculate critical path, use the forward and backward pass along with float analysis to identify all network paths, including critical.

Question 22

Forward Pass

Answer 22

Technique for calculating the early start and early finish dates of the schedule activities. This is part of determining critical path and is paired with backward pass to determine activity and schedule float along with the critical path.

Question 23

Resource Leveling

Answer 23

Resource Leveling is a resource optimization technique which IMPACTS the critical path. Adjustments are made to the project schedule to help with over or under allocation of resources.

Question 24

Resource Smoothing

Answer 24

Resource Smoothing is a resource optimization technique which does NOT affect the critical path in which free and total float are used to even out the allocation of resources across a project schedule.

Question 25

Resource Optimization Techniques

Answer 25

Techniques in which activity start and finish dates are adjusted to balance demand for resources with the available supply. Either resource smoothing or leveling.

Question 26

Resource Breakdown Structure

Answer 26

A hierarchical representation of resources by category and type.

Question 27

Resource Calendar

Answer 27

A calendar that identifies the working days and shifts for which each specific resource is available.

Question 28

Resource Histogram

Answer 28

A bar chart that represents when a resource will be needed in the project.

Question 29

Free Float

Answer 29

The amount of time that a scheduled activity can be delayed without impacting the early start date of any subsequent scheduled activity. (same as Free Slack)

Question 30

Negative Float

Answer 30

The amount of time that must be saved to bring the project to completion on time. (same as negative Slack) Indicates the schedule must be adjusted.

Question 31

Total Float

Answer 31

The amount of time that a schedule activity can be delayed or extended from its early start date without delaying the project finish date or violating a schedule constraint. (same as Total Slack)

Question 32

When a project is seriously lagging behind schedule and an extension of time is not an option, you are left with the option of crashing the project. You are concerned that crashing the project might over-allocate resources and want to apply resource leveling and smoothing to the crashed schedule. What is the difference between resource leveling and smoothing?

Answer 32

Resource Leveling can cause the project's critical path to change, while Resource Smoothing doesn’t alter the project’s critical path. [PMBOK7 p238] (Domain: Process, Task 6)

Question 33

Schedule Crashing

Answer 33

Schedule Crashing is when the project sponsor approves extra funding and resources to expedite delivery of activities

Question 34

Resource Fast Tracking

Answer 34

Resource Fast Tracking is when some activities on the critical path currently in sequence can be done in parallel

Question 35

Project Schedule Network Diagram

Answer 35

A graphical representation of the logical relationships among the project schedule activities including project tasks, dependencies, and sequencing to visualize the project schedule and critical path. An output of a schedule model that presents linked activities with planned dates, durations, milestones, and resources. See also “Network Diagram”.

Question 36

Name the Schedule Management process steps in sequential order

Answer 36

Plan Schedule Management Define Activities Sequence Activities Estimate Activity Durations Develop Schedule Control Schedule

Question 37

You are auditing a project that has recently delivered a new capability to the business. The purpose of the audit is not only to review the efficiency of the applied project management processes but also revaluating the delivered business value. You are looking for a summary milestone schedule for the project. Which of the following documents can provide you this?

Answer 37

Project charter NOT Project scope statement The summary milestone schedule is normally included as part of the project charter, which documents the business need, understanding of customer's needs, and other high-level items. [PMBOK7 p184] (Domain: Process, Task 17)

Question 38

Sally, a project manager, was reconciling expenditure of funds with funding limits on the commitment of funds for the project. She found a large variance between the funding limits and planned expenditures. As a result, she decided to reschedule work to level out the rate of expenditures. This is known as:

Answer 38

Funding limit reconciliation NOT Funding limit constraints NOR Funding limit expenditure NOR Funding limit appropriation This is known as funding limit reconciliation. It can be accomplished by placing imposed date constraints for work into the project schedule. [PMBOK7 p62] (Domain: Process, Task 5)

Question 39

You are managing a construction project with the following schedule network (See photo - all durations given in months). If activity D gets delayed by 7 months, what will be the impact on the schedule?

Answer 39

Activity H will get delayed by a month but the activity G will not get impacted. NOT Both activities G and H will get delayed by a month. NOR: None of the activities will get impacted by this delay. NOR: Activity G will get delayed by a month but the activity H will not get impacted. Activity D has a total float of 6 months. A 7-month delay will have an impact on the network. A seven-month delay means that the activity D will now complete by the 21st month. Since activity H was scheduled for the 21st month, this will get delayed by a month. However, there will be no impact on activity G since it has a late start of the 26th month. [PMBOK7 p238] (Domain: Process, Task 6

Question 40

Which document includes a summary milestone schedule for a project?

Answer 40

Project Charter​. NOT Project scope statement. The summary milestone schedule is normally included as part of the project charter, which documents the business need, understanding of customer's needs, and other high-level items.

Question 41

If an activity has a total float of 6 months and is delayed by 7 months, what is the impact?

Answer 41

It could delay some subsequent activities beyond their float, affecting the schedule, but not activities with more than 7 months of float.