3 - Programming and Planning

Question 1

What is the difference between Total and Free Float?

Answer 1

• Total float is the amount of time an activity can be delayed before affecting the end date
• Free float is the amount of time an activity can be delayed before affected a subsequent activity

Question 2

What is the Critical Path?

Answer 2

• The longest duration through the activity network, which in turn defines the shortest time the project can be completed in.
• There is no float on the CP

Question 3

Explain Earned Value

Answer 3

Earned Value looks at the value earned by the project by a point in time. Two key metrics are the Schedule Performance Index and the Cost Performance Index (SPI and CPI)

Question 4

Explain the SPI calculation

Answer 4

• Earned Value divided by Planned Value e.g.

100m wall, £1,000 per metre, 100 days duration. At day 10 there is 20m of wall complete.

20 divided by 10 = 2.

Greater than 1.0 is good, less is bad.

Can then apply this factor to the end date to get a forecast completion date.

Question 5

Explain the CPI calculation

Answer 5

• Earned Value divided by Actual Cost e.g.

100m wall, £1,000 per metre, 100 days duration. At day 10 there is 5m of wall complete, but it’s cost £10,000:

5000 divided by 10,000 = 0.5

Greater than 1.0 is good, less is bad

Divided the total cost by 0.5 to get EAC.

Question 6

What kinds of Delay analysis are you aware of?

Answer 6

Split in to two key camps: proactive and retrospective.

• Time impact analysis - do it as you go. Drop in the change.
• Time Slice Window - Retrospectively split your programme in to time windows and drop in the impact sequentially. Effectively a retrospective NEC approach.
• Collapsed As Built - Take the as-built and subtract the delay out of it

All require good records and programme data..

Question 7

How do you create a programme?

Answer 7

• Scope of programme
• WBS
• Plug in constraints
• Fill in what I know
• Consult wider team
• Add risk and opportunity
• Run analysis of scenarios
• Identify the CP
• Identify assumptions

Question 8

How can you show progress on a programme?

Answer 8

• Drop line
• % Complete metrics
• Jagged drop line

Question 9

What is time at large?

Answer 9

When the EOT mechanism is broken and unenforceable meaning Completion is effectively whatever it ends up being. Removes obligation to pay LADs.

Question 10

What are some alternatives to a Gantt Chart?

Answer 10

• Network Diagrams
• WBS
• Kanban board/task list
• Sprint cycles

Question 11

What is the difference between resource levelling and resource smoothing?

Answer 11

Both are used to avoid peaks and troughs, but:

Levelling = when resources are constrained, what is the programme going to be?

Smoothing = when time is constrained, can resources be smoothed out to achieve the end date? I.e. delay some tasks to get the CP done.

Question 12

Can you explain a time where the programme was impacted?

Answer 12

• North Pole train standing
• Temple Mills change of access arrangements
• Planning delay to Basingstoke