Resource And Scheduling Optmisation

Question 1

Start and finish dates can be calculated with regard to available resources and external constraints as well as project logic. Once established, the schedule will be used throughout the project to produce what ?

Answer 1

• update progress, forecast performance and communicate this information to stakeholders

• show team members when tasks are due to be completed and the overall project duration

• show key milestones and progress towards achievement of these when work starts

Question 2

what does critical analysis use scheduling technique for?

Answer 2

Critical path analysis uses a scheduling technique to predict project duration by analysing which sequence of activities has the least amount of scheduling flexibility and is, therefore, critical if the planned overall duration is to be achieved

Question 3

why do dependencies exist?

Answer 3

The dependencies exist because of the logical relationship between the activities dictated by the technical characteristics of each activity

Question 4

what does establishing a logic between activities enable?

Answer 4

Establishing the logic between the activities enables a precedence network to be determined that shows the relationship between activities

Question 5

what is the well known common dependency?

Answer 5

The most common dependency is finish to start, and this acts as a default choice until sufficient information is known about the individual activities to consider an alternative

Question 6

what does the term float mean and what is it created for?

Answer 6

Float’ is a term used to describe the flexibility with which an activity may be rescheduled. Float is created when a shorter-duration activity is in parallel with a longer-duration activity in the network

Question 7

explain the difference between free float and total float?

Answer 7

Total float is defined as the time by which an activity may be delayed or extended without affecting the overall duration or violating a target finish date.

Free float is defined as the time by which an activity may be delayed or extended without affecting the start of any succeeding activity.

Question 8

what is a milestone and why is it good to have one?

Answer 8

A milestone is defined as a key event selected for its importance in the schedule, commonly associated with tangible acceptance of deliverables

Question 9

Why is it a good practice to use milestones?

Answer 9

It is good practice to produce a milestone schedule to show stakeholders the major milestones and for reporting current and forecast progress

Question 10

What is a Gantt chart created for ?

Answer 10

Gantt chart is created to show the activities against a timeline

Question 11

what can be used to show a high-level summary of current progress and who needs to see it?

Answer 11

A milestone chart will provide the necessary level of communication

sponsors and senior management

Question 12

what will a milestone chart show and what will a Gantt chart show?

Answer 12

The milestone chart will show a stripped-down version of the schedule with activity bars removed

Gantt chart is created to show the activities against a timeline

Question 13

what is a timebox?

Answer 13

A timebox is an iteration with a fixed end date that is not allowed to change, thereby adjusting the scope and quality to deliver on time and to cost

Question 14

what is the main objective of resource optimisation ?

Answer 14

The main objective of resource optimisation is to make sure that all resources are used optimally

Question 15

what is a resource histogram?

Answer 15

a block graph showing the quantity of resource that has been allocated over the time schedule

Question 16

what is one question answered by resource levelling?

Answer 16

With the resources available, when will the work be finished?

Question 17

list 5 ways resource levelling can be achieved by a project manager?

Answer 17

• Redefining the scope of the activities to be undertaken by the particular resource concerned.
• Redefining the specification
• Increasing task duration to reduce the overall resource requirements.
• Increasing resources on earlier tasks to bring workload forward, such that peaks in the future are reduced.
• Moving activities that are not on the critical path to reduce demand at peak times

Question 18

what is resource smoothing and its objective?

Answer 18

Resource smoothing is used when time is more important than cost. The objective is to deliver the work within the fixed timescale.

Question 19

what is a procurement strategy?

Answer 19

The procurement strategy is the high-level approach for securing the goods and services required from external suppliers to satisfy project, programme and portfolio needs

Question 20

what are the key two questions asked by sponsor and when using a procurement strategy?

Answer 20

• How much risk to retain in the project and how much to share with suppliers in the supply chain?
• On a continuum from transactional to collaborative, what type of relationship is desired with different suppliers, and why?

Question 21

what is considered when deciding the best route for the procurement strategy?

Answer 21

• make or buy decision
• supplier selection
• contractual relationship
• reimbursement methods
• contract administration