PROJECT SCHEDULE MANAGEMENT

Question 1

Your project sponsor is considering pulling a resource off your project and has asked that you determine what the impact to the schedule would be. Which of the following techniques would you use to determine this impact?

a. Variance analysis
b. Fast-tracking
c. Resource levelling
d. What-if scenario analysis

Answer 1

D

A what-if scenario analysis will show how the schedule will be affected by losing a resource.

Question 2

Brenda is working on a network diagram for her project schedule on a project management textbook her company is publishing. Her writers are working on the text and she wants to get the available drafts to her editors as soon as possible. She has determined that it is not necessary for the writers to complete the entire draft before the editors begin. How should Brenda show this relationship on her network diagram?

a. FS
b. SS
c. FS + 1
d. SF

Answer 2

B

The best answer choice is B. Although Brenda can supply her editors with the partial manuscript
and have them begin editing before the manuscript is complete, this should be shown as a Start-to-Start
relationship because the editors cannot begin their work before the writers have started their work. If
Brenda wished to wait until the manuscript was complete before giving it to her editors, this would be
shown as a Finish-to-Start relationship.

Question 3

You are developing duration estimates for your schedule. What input would you use to identify the working days and shifts upon which each specific resource is available?

a. The project management plan
b. A precedence diagram
c. A network diagram
d. A resource calendar

Answer 3

D

A resource calendar can be quite complex. Information you might compile for a resource calendar includes the skill levels of human resources, the geographic location of work, resource availability, the corporate calendar, and constraints on the number of hours per day a resource can be used.

Question 4

“I cannot continue the next part of my project until a vendor shipment arrives onsite.” This statement best
describes which of the following relationship types?

a. Reliant relationship
b. External dependency
c. Discretionary dependency
d. Mandatory dependency

Answer 4

B

Per the PMBOK® Guide definition, an external dependency is a relationship between project
activities and non-project activities.

Question 5

The amount of time that a schedule activity can be delayed without delaying the early start date of any
successor or violating a schedule constraint is called:

a. Total float
b. Free float
c. Schedule compression
d. Lag time

Answer 5

B

Per the PMBOK® Guide definition, free float is the amount of time that a schedule activity can be
delayed without delaying the early start date of any successor or violating a schedule constraint.

Question 6

Variance analysis is conducted periodically throughout the project. In addition to identifying variances, a
variance analysis should also address which of the following?

a. The cost of taking corrective action
b. The root cause of the variance
c. How best to communicate the variance to a client
d. Who should be held responsible for the variance

Answer 6

B

Variance analysis shouldn’t just identify variances; it should also address the root cause of the variance and whether corrective or preventive actions are desired or even possible.

Question 7

You are evaluating ways to compress your project schedule. In doing so, you determine that you can overlap part of the development phase with part of the testing phase. What technique are you using to compress the schedule?

a. Fast-tracking
b. Crashing
c. Resource levelling
d. Contract renegotiation

Answer 7

A

Per the PMBOK® Guide definition, fast-tracking is a schedule compression technique in which
activities or phases normally done in sequence are performed in parallel for at least a portion of their
duration.

Question 8

A critical path method for calculating the late start and late finish dates by working backward through the
schedule model from the project end date is called:

a. Backwards scheduling
b. Backwards planning
c. Backward pass
d. Float calculations

Answer 8

C

The forward pass of the critical path method is used to calculate the early dates in the schedule model; the backward pass is used to calculate the late dates.

Question 9

On your construction project, you’ve scheduled the “frame house” activity to immediately follow the “pour
foundation” task. By definition, this is an example of what type of scheduling relationship?

a. Finish-to-start
b. Start-to-start
c. Finish-to-finish
d. Cannot be determined at this point

Answer 9

A

The start of the framing is dependent upon completion of the pour foundation task.

Question 10

Which of the following should be included in the project charter?

a. The communication plan
b. The business need the project will address
c. The unidentified risks
d. The stakeholder management plan

Answer 10

B

The best answer choice is B. The project begins with a business need, which should be included in the project charter.

Question 11

A milestone list identifies all project milestones and indicates whether the milestone is mandatory, such as
those required by contract, or optional, such as those based on historical information. Which of the following
best describes a milestone?

a. A summary of the project schedule
b. A list of project constraints
c. Documented assumptions
d. A significant point or event in a project, program, or portfolio

Answer 11

D

By definition, a milestone is a significant point or event in a project, program, or portfolio.

Question 12

The technique of compressing a project schedule resulting in an incremental cost increase defines which of the following techniques?

a. Fast tracking
b. Crashing
c. Resource levelling
d. All of the above

Answer 12

B

The best answer choice is B because crashing can provide schedule compression but typically
results in increased project costs.

Question 13

There is an issue with your project schedule. As the project manager, you need to determine whether you need to initiate a change request, take corrective action, or implement a preventive action. From the following options, select the answer that led you to believe there was an issue with the schedule.

a. Activity resources
b. Earned Value
c. Planned value
d. Schedule data

Answer 13

D

The best answer choice is D because it is the only option that is an input to the Control Schedule
process.

Question 14

Xavier is concerned with the project schedule and needs to perform some analysis. Which of the following tools and techniques should he consider for his analysis?

a. CPI and CV
b. SV and SPI
c. EV and PV
d. AC and BAC

Answer 14

B

The best answer choice is B. Tools used in the variance analysis activity for the Control Schedule
process include Schedule Variance (SV) and Schedule Performance Index (SPI).

Question 15

You’ve been assigned a project that is in the early stages of estimating. At this point, you only have a high-level understanding of the requirements and the WBS is decomposed only to level two. You have previously done this type of project before and the project sponsor is asking for an initial timeline along with milestone dates and minimal detail. Which of the following techniques should provide you the duration estimate?

a. Analogous estimating
b. Parametric estimating
c. Three-point risk analysis
d. Monte Carlo simulation

Answer 15

A

Analogous estimating is used for projects during the early phases when there aren’t a lot of details.

Question 16

The PMO at your organization requires project managers to use the Critical Path Method to create their project schedules. Which of the following best describes this requirement?

a. Enterprise environmental factor
b. Organizational process asset
c. Project scheduling methodology
d. Projectized organizational structure

Answer 16

C

The best answer choice is C because the Critical Path Method represents a project scheduling methodology.

Question 17

Pamela is working on her project schedule. She is including all of the work packages from the WBS and
developing a network diagram. She has determined the longest path through the project resulting in the
shortest duration. What has she determined?

a. The critical chain
b. The critical path
c. The milestone list
d. The free float and total float

Answer 17

B

The best answer choice is B. The critical path is the sequence of activities representing the longest path through the project, which determines the shortest duration.

Question 18

Tom is working in a weak matrix organization and is managing a new project. He is experiencing some issues with resource availability coinciding with his resource requirements at specific times in the project execution. After considering his options, and realizing he does not have any additional budget to use for acquiring more human resources, Tom has decided to optimize the resources he has. Which of the following methods would be most appropriate based on this scenario?

a. Crashing
b. Update schedule baseline
c. Resource levelling
d. Update project budget

Answer 18

C

The best answer choice is C. Because resource availability is typically low in a weak matrix
organization, resource leveling is Tom’s best option because critical resources are only available at
certain times.

Question 19

Which of the following are outputs of the Control Schedule process?

a. Schedule forecasts
b. Work performance data
c. Project calendars
d. Schedule data

Answer 19

A

The best answer choice is A because all of the other choices are inputs to the Control Schedule process.

Question 20

Paul is working on scheduling his project. He is in the early stage and will perform a progressive elaboration
later in the week as more information becomes available. At this point, he is only interested in the planned dates of the major deliverables. Which of the following is Paul creating?

a. PERT
b. Critical Chain Method
c. Critical Path Method
d. Milestone schedule

Answer 20

D

The best answer choice is D because a milestone schedule presents milestones with planned dates.

Question 21

Plan Schedule Management is the process of establishing the policies, procedures, and documentation for the planning, development, management, execution, and controlling of the project schedule. The key inputs to this process include each of the following EXCEPT:

a. The project charter
b. The scope management plan
c. The development approach
d. The schedule management plan

Answer 21

D

The schedule management plan is an output to the process, not an input.

Question 22

Joan is managing a new project tasked with creating, developing, and launching a new social media site on the Internet. There is a lot to do, and it appears to be an overwhelming task with multiple phases of work and deliverables. In order to get a better idea of the overall scope, Joan has decided to concentrate on the work that needs to be accomplished in the near term, plan that work out in detail, and develop a lesser degree of detail for the work that will be accomplished in the future. What type of iterative planning technique is Joan using?

a. Monte Carlo simulation
b. Rolling stone planning
c. Progressive iteration
d. Rolling wave planning

Answer 22

D

The best answer choice is D. Joan is using an Iterative process and a form of progressive elaboration known as rolling wave planning, in which the work to be accomplished in the near term is planned in detail, while the work in the future is planned at a higher level.

Question 23

A technique used to shorten the schedule duration for the least incremental cost by adding resources is called:

a. Schedule compression
b. Crashing the schedule
c. Fast-tracking the schedule
d. Floating the schedule

Answer 23

B

Bringing in more resources, working overtime, and paying to expedite deliverables are all ways to crash the schedule.

Question 24

The unanticipated absence of a key project team member is threatening to put your project behind schedule. From the following choices, select the one that is the best method for maintaining your project schedule baseline without increasing costs.

a. Schedule baseline revision
b. Resource levelling
c. Crashing the project
d. SPI

Answer 24

B

The best answer choice is B because resource levelling is the best choice for maintaining the project schedule baseline without increasing cost.

Question 25

Inputs required to develop the project schedule include the schedule management plan, activity list, attributes and durations, resource calendars, and a resource breakdown structure, along with which of the following?

a. A Statement of Work
b. Cost estimates
c. Risk analysis
d. Project schedule network diagram

Answer 25

D

A project schedule network diagram is a graphical representation of the logical relationships among the project schedule activities.

Question 26

A technique used to estimate costs or durations by applying an average or weighted average of optimistic, most likely, and pessimistic values when there is a high degree of uncertainty with the individual activity estimates is called:

a. Analogous estimating
b. Three-point estimating
c. Parametric estimating
d. Statistical estimating

Answer 26

B

When a lot of uncertainty, risk, or unknowns surround an activity or a work package, you can use three-point estimating to give you a range and an expected duration.

Question 27

Which of the following choices best defines the sequence of activities that represents the longest path through a project and determines the shortest possible duration?

a. Earned Value calculation
b. Critical chain
c. Critical path
d. WBS

Answer 27

C

The best answer choice is C because critical path is the term described in the question.

Question 28

Clarence is monitoring the progress of his project. The Planned value of the project at this point is $480,000.
However, when checking the actual performance, the Earned Value is $320,000. Clarence needs to determine the variance of the to-date performance. From the following list, select the formula Clarence should use to determine the difference between the work completed to a point in time and the work planned to be completed at that same point.

a. VAC = BAC – EAC
b. SV = EV – PV
c. SPI = EV / PV
d. CPI = EV / AC

Answer 28

B

The best answer choice is B. The Schedule Variance (SV) represents the amount by which the project is ahead or behind the planned delivery date.

Question 29

The process of identifying and documenting relationships among project activities is called:

a. Define Activities
b. Sequence Activities
c. Resource loading
d. Activity definition

Answer 29

B

The process defines the logical sequence of work to obtain the greatest efficiency, given all project constraints.

Question 30

Based on the current schedule forecast, Mary is over-allocated in week 3 of the project. To fix this by better allocating Mary’s time in the project, what technique would you use?

a. Fast-tracking
b. Resource optimization
c. What-if analysis
d. Crashing

Answer 30

B

Per the PMBOK® Guide definition, resource optimization is a technique in which activity start and
finish dates are adjusted to balance demand for resources with the available supply. Resource
optimization includes resource leveling and resource smoothing.

Question 31

Valerie is busy determining the activity durations on her project. One of her team members has been assigned the work package involving the printing of a three-part sequential mailing to potential prospects for their client’s photographic services. The team member informs Valerie that she estimates the time required to be four days. However, if her work load changes, the time could expand to six days. It is possible that she could get the work done in two days if everything goes as planned and there are no glitches with the mailing lists. If Valerie uses the three-point estimating technique. She has decided to use both the triangular distribution and the beta distribution methods. What results will Valeria come up with by using these two methods?

a. Beta: 4. Triangular: 3
b. Beta: 4. Triangular: 4
c. Beta: 3. Triangular: 4
d. Beta: 5. Triangular: 4

Answer 31

B

The best answer choice is B. Both methods result in the same answer.

Question 32

“I can’t start the installation of the roof shingles until after the roof frame is complete.” This is an example of
which type of dependency?

a. Discretionary
b. Mandatory
c. Finish-to-finish
d. Start-to-start

Answer 32

B

A mandatory dependency is a relationship that is contractually required or inherent in the nature
of the work.

Question 33

Which of the following allows the project team to place buffers on any project schedule path to allow for
limited resources?

a. Critical Path Method
b. Critical Chain Method
c. Fast-tracking
d. Resource levelling

Answer 33

B

The best answer choice is B. The critical chain method uses buffers to allow for project uncertainties.

Question 34

An analytical technique used to determine the essential features and relationships of components in the project management plan to establish a reserve for the schedule duration, budget, estimated cost, or funds for a project is called:

a. Reserve analysis
b. Contingency planning
c. Cost/benefit analysis
d. Scope padding

Answer 34

A

Reserve analysis is an analytical technique to determine the essential features and relationships of components in the project management plan to establish a reserve for the schedule duration, budget, estimated cost, or funds for a project.

Question 35

Which of the following techniques is a form of progressive elaboration, in which the work accomplished in the near term is planned in detail, whereas work further in the future is planned at a higher level?

a. Progressive detailing
b. Rolling wave planning
c. Schedule development
d. Parsing the data

Answer 35

B

Work can exist at various levels of detail depending on where it is in the project life cycle. During
early strategic planning when information is less defined, work packages may be decomposed to the
known level of detail. As more is known about the upcoming events in the near term, work packages can
be further decomposed into activities.

Question 36

Schedule network analysis is the overarching technique used to generate the project schedule model. It employs several techniques, including each of the following, with the exception of which technique?

a. Process analysis
b. Critical path method
c. Resource optimization
d. What-if scenario analysis

Answer 36

A

In practice, schedule network analysis is an iterative process that is employed until a viable schedule model is developed. Process analysis is used to improve a process, not develop a schedule.

Question 37

Which of the variance analysis tools and techniques listed below are included in the Control Schedule process?

a. EV and AC
b. SV and SPI
c. RAM and RBS
d. CV and CPI

Answer 37

B

The best answer choice is B. Schedule Variance (SV) and Schedule Performance Index (SPI) are both schedule variance analysis tools and techniques used in the Control Schedule process.

Question 38

The collection of information for describing and controlling the schedule is called:

a. Schedule model
b. Scheduling methodology
c. Schedule data
d. Scheduling tool

Answer 38

C

Schedule data is the collection of information for describing and controlling the schedule.

Question 39

Sharon is managing a new project and has just completed her calculations for SV and SPI. Both calculations have resulted in numbers greater than 1.0. Based on this result, what is the status or Sharon’s project at the present time?

a. Ahead of schedule
b. Behind schedule
c. On schedule
d. Over budget

Answer 39

A

The best answer choice is A. When calculating Schedule Variance (SV) and Schedule Performance Index (SPI) a resulting number greater than one indicates the project is ahead of schedule. 1.0 means it is on schedule. A number less than 1.0 indicates behind schedule.

Question 40

Clara is trying to determine whether her project will finish on time. She is trying to determine whether she is ahead or behind schedule at this point in time. Which of the following calculations should Clara perform?

a. EV
b. TCPI
c. CPI
d. SV

Answer 40

D

The best answer choice is D. Clara is calculating the Schedule Variance (SV), which measure the amount by which the project is ahead or behind the planned delivery date.

Question 41

As the project manager for a software development project, you are in the process of estimating the activity durations for the coding portion. The project requirements specify that the software coding is targeted at 1,000 lines of code. The person responsible for the coding informs you that she is usually capable of writing 1,000 lines of code in approximately 9 days. If she is busy with other projects, it could take up to 12 days to write the same amount of code. If things are going great with no interruptions, she can accomplish the same production level in only 6 days. Based on her estimates, and using the beta distribution or PERT model of three-point estimating, what is the activity duration for writing 1,000 lines of code?

a. 8 days
b. 16 days
c. 12 days
d. 9 days

Answer 41

D

The best answer choice is D. The formula for beta distribution in three-point estimating is tE = (tO
+ 4tM + tP) / 6, which equates to [6 + (4 × 9) + 12] / 6 or (6 + 36 + 12) / 6 = 9

Question 42

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

a. The performance criteria
b. The schedule management plan
c. Milestone management
d. Exception reports

Answer 42

B

The schedule management plan can be high level with only a few paragraphs, or it can be quite detailed as necessary. It is up to the project manager and project team to appropriately scale it to the size and needs of the project or program.