MIS573-Chapter6

Question 1

A dependency pertains to the sequencing of project activities or tasks.

Answer 1

True (A dependency or relationship pertains to the sequencing of project activities or tasks. Determining these relationships or dependencies among activities has a significant impact on developing and managing a project schedule.)

Question 2

A disadvantage of using Gantt charts is that they do not provide a standard format for displaying planned project schedule information.

Answer 2

False (The main advantage of using Gantt charts is that they provide a standard format for displaying planned and actual project schedule information.)

Question 3

A drawback of the precedence diagramming method is that it cannot be used unless dummy activities are employed.

Answer 3

False (The precedence diagramming method offers a number of advantages over the AOA technique. One advantage is that using this method avoids the need to use dummy activities.)

Question 4

A drawback of the project management software is that it does not have the capacity to calculate the critical path(s) for a project.

Answer 4

False (A project management software can be used to draw network diagrams, determine the critical path for a project, create Gantt charts, and report, view, and filter specific project time management information.)

Question 5

A merge occurs when one node precedes multiple nodes.

Answer 5

False (A merge occurs when two or more nodes precede a single node. On the other hand, bursts occur when two or more activities follow a single node.)

Question 6

A schedule management plan includes information which describes the format and frequency of schedule reports required for the project.

Answer 6

True (A schedule management plan includes information on reporting formats. This information describes the format and frequency of schedule reports required for the project. In addition, it also includes information on process descriptions and describes how all of the schedule management processes will be performed.)

Question 7

A Tracking Gantt chart is based on the percentage of work completed for project tasks or the actual start and finish dates.

Answer 7

True (A Tracking Gantt chart is based on the percentage of work completed for project tasks or the actual start and finish dates. It allows the project manager to monitor schedule progress on individual tasks and the whole project.)

Question 8

After working with key stakeholders to define activities and calculate their resources, what is the next process in project schedule management?

Answer 8

estimate the duration of activities. (After working with key stakeholders to define activities, determine their dependencies, and estimate their resources, the next process in project schedule management is to estimate the duration of activities.)

Question 9

An activity is an element of work that has an expected duration, cost, and resource requirements.

Answer 9

True (An activity or task is an element of work normally found on the work breakdown structure (WBS) that has expected duration, cost, and resource requirements.)

Question 10

Critical chain scheduling assumes that resources multitask and maximizes multitasking.

Answer 10

False (Critical chain scheduling is a method that considers limited resources when creating a project schedule and includes buffers to protect the project completion date. It assumes that resources do not multitask or at least minimize multitasking.)

Question 11

During which relationship is the “from” activity unable to start until the “to” activity is started?

Answer 11

start-to-start (A start-to-start dependency is a relationship in which the “from” activity cannot start until the “to” activity or successor is started.)

Question 12

How does critical chain scheduling protect tasks on the critical chain from being delayed?

Answer 12

feeding buffers (Critical chain scheduling protects tasks on the critical chain from being delayed by using feeding buffers, which consist of time added before tasks on the critical chain if they are preceded by other tasks that are not on the critical path.)

Question 13

In a critical path analysis, the shortest path is what drives the completion date for the project.

Answer 13

False (In a critical path analysis, several tasks are done in parallel on projects, and most projects have multiple paths through a network diagram. The longest path or the path that contains the critical tasks is what drives the completion date for the project.)

Question 14

In a Gantt chart, thick black bars represent milestones achieved in a project.

Answer 14

False (Gantt charts provide a standard format for displaying project schedule information by listing project activities and their corresponding start and finish dates in calendar form. In a Gantt chart, a black diamond symbol represents a milestone.)

Question 15

In a network diagram, it is mandatory for every item on the WBS to be shown instead of only those activities with dependencies.

Answer 15

False (The network diagram represents activities that must be done to complete the project. Not every item on the WBS needs to be shown on the network diagram; only activities with dependencies need to be shown.)

Question 16

In an AOA network diagram, what occurs when two or more activities follow a single node?

Answer 16

bursts (When creating an AOA network diagram, bursts occur when two or more activities follow a single node.)

Question 17

In project schedule management, the main goal of which process is to ensure that the project team has complete understanding of all the work they must do as part of the project scope so they can start scheduling the work?

Answer 17

defining activities (The goal of defining activities is to ensure that the project team completely understands all the work it must do as part of the project scope so the team can start scheduling the work. Activity information is a required input to the other time management processes.)

Question 18

In project schedule management, the ultimate goal of which process is to provide a basis for monitoring project progress for the time dimension of the project?

Answer 18

developing a schedule (The ultimate goal of developing a realistic project schedule is to provide a basis for monitoring project progress for the time dimension of the project. Project schedule management processes often go through several iterations before a project schedule is finalized.)

Question 19

In project schedule management, what is the next step after defining project activities?

Answer 19

determining their dependencies (After defining project activities, the next step in project schedule management is sequencing them or determining their dependencies. The sequencing process involves evaluating the reasons for dependencies and the different types of dependencies.)

Question 20

In project schedule management, which process generates the main outputs of an activity list, activity attributes, and a milestone list?

Answer 20

defining activities (In project schedule management, the main outputs of the sequencing activities process are an activity list, activity attributes, a milestone list, and project management plan updates.)

Question 21

In project schedule management, which process involves analyzing activity sequences, activity resource estimates, and activity duration estimates to create the project schedule?

Answer 21

developing the schedule (Developing the schedule involves analyzing activity sequences, activity resource estimates, and activity duration estimates to create the project schedule. Outputs include a schedule baseline, project schedule, schedule data, project calendars, project management plan updates, and project documents updates.)

Question 22

In project schedule management, which process involves estimating the number of work periods that are needed to complete individual activities?

Answer 22

estimating activity durations (Estimating activity durations involves estimating the number of work periods that are needed to complete individual activities. Outputs include activity duration estimates and project documents updates.)

Question 23

In project schedule management, which process primarily involve identifying and documenting the relationships between project activities?

Answer 23

sequencing activities (Sequencing activities involves identifying and documenting the relationships between project activities. The main outputs of this process include project schedule network diagrams and project documents updates.)

Question 24

In project schedule management, which process primarily involves checking and managing changes to the project schedule?

Answer 24

controlling the schedule (In project schedule management, the process of controlling the schedule involves controlling and managing changes to the project schedule. Outputs include work performance information, schedule forecasts, and change requests among others.)

Question 25

It is important for the activity list and activity attributes to be in agreement with the work breakdown structure.

Answer 25

True (The activity list and activity attributes should be in agreement with the work breakdown structure. Information is added to the activity attributes as it becomes available; this information includes logical relationships and resource requirements that are determined in later processes.)

Question 26

Knowing the amount of float allows project managers to know whether a project schedule is flexible.

Answer 26

True (Knowing the amount of float or slack allows project managers to know whether the schedule is flexible and how flexible it might be. A fast and easy way to determine early and late start and finish dates and free and total slack amounts for activities is by using project management software.)

Question 27

Milestones are easy to achieve and are always achieved through one main activity.

Answer 27

False (A milestone on a project is a significant event that normally has no duration. It often takes several activities and a lot of work to complete a milestone, but the milestone itself is like a marker to help in identifying necessary activities.)

Question 28

Network diagrams are the preferred technique for showing activity sequencing.

Answer 28

True (Network diagrams are the preferred technique for showing activity sequencing. A network diagram is a schematic display of the logical relationships among project activities and their sequencing.)

Question 29

One of PERT’s main disadvantages is that it does not address the risk associated with duration estimates.

Answer 29

False (PERT’s main disadvantages are that it involves more work than CPM because it requires several duration estimates, and there are better probabilistic methods for assessing schedule risk.)

Question 30

Project schedules grow out of basic documents such as the project charter.

Answer 30

True (Project schedules grow out of the basic documents that initiate a project. The project charter often mentions planned project start and end dates, which serve as the starting points for a more detailed schedule.)

Question 31

Start-to-finish relationships are the most frequently used dependencies between activities.

Answer 31

False (One of the four types of dependencies or relationships between activities is the start-to-finish dependency. This is a relationship in which the “from” activity must start before the “to” activity can be finished. This type of relationship is rarely used, but it is appropriate in some cases.)

Question 32

The arrows in a network diagram represent missed milestones in a project.

Answer 32

False (A network diagram is a schematic display of the logical relationships among project activities and their sequencing. The arrows in a network diagram represent the activity sequencing or relationships between tasks.)

Question 33

The critical path is the _____ path through a network diagram, and it represents the _____ amount of slack or float.

Answer 33

longest; shortest (A critical path for a project is the series of activities that determine the earliest time by which the project can be completed. It is the longest path through the network diagram and has the least amount of slack or float.)

Question 34

The critical path on a project can change as the project progresses.

Answer 34

True (The critical path represents the shortest time required to complete a project. The critical path on a project can change as the project progresses.)

Question 35

The final process in project schedule management is developing the schedule.

Answer 35

False (The final process in project time management is controlling the schedule, Like scope control, schedule control is a portion of the integrated change control process under project integration management.)

Question 36

The main disadvantage of crashing is that it lengthens the time needed to finish a project.

Answer 36

False (The main advantage of crashing is that it shortens the time needed to finish a project. The main disadvantage is that it often increases total project costs.)

Question 37

The technique of fast tracking can result in lengthening the project schedule.

Answer 37

True (The main disadvantage of fast tracking is that it can lengthen the project schedule because starting some tasks too soon often increases project risk and results in rework.)

Question 38

In project schedule management, the ultimate goal of which process is to provide a basis for monitoring progress for the time dimension of the project?

Answer 38

developing a schedule (The ultimate goal of developing a realistic project schedule is to provide a basis for monitoring project progress for the time dimension of the project. Project schedule management processes often go through several iterations before a project schedule is finalized.)

Question 39

To define activities, the project team should start with reviewing the schedule management plan, scope baseline, enterprise environmental factors, and organizational processes.

Answer 39

True (Defining activities involves identifying the specific actions that will produce the project deliverables in enough detail to determine resource and schedule estimates. The project team reviews the schedule management plan, scope baseline, enterprise environmental factors, and organizational process assets to begin defining activities.)

Question 40

What is an accurate difference between the Program Evaluation and Review Technique (PERT) and critical path method (CPM)?

Answer 40

PERT uses different duration estimates whereas CPM uses one specific duration estimate. (PERT uses probabilistic time estimates —duration estimates based on using optimistic, most likely, and pessimistic estimates of activity durations —instead of one specific or discrete duration estimate, as CPM does.)

Question 41

What is the first process involved in project schedule management?

Answer 41

Planning schedule management (Planning schedule management is the first process in project schedule management and involves determining the policies, procedures, and documentation that will be used for planning, executing, and controlling the project schedule.)

Question 42

What is the latest possible time an activity might begin without delaying the project finish date?

Answer 42

late start date (The late start date is the latest possible time an activity might begin without delaying the project finish date.)

Question 43

What term is used for the amount of time an activity can be delayed from its early start without delaying the planned project finish date?

Answer 43

total slack (Total slack or total float is the amount of time an activity can be delayed from its early start without delaying the planned project finish date.)

Question 44

What term is used for the amount of time an activity can be delayed without delaying the early start date of any immediately following activities?

Answer 44

free slack (A technique that can help project managers make schedule trade-offs is determining the free slack and total slack for each project activity. Free slack or free float is the amount of time an activity can be delayed without delaying the early start date of any immediately following activities.)

Question 45

Which dependencies are sometimes referred to as soft logic and should be used with care because they may limit later scheduling options?

Answer 45

discretionary (Discretionary dependencies are defined by the project team. They are sometimes referred to as soft logic and should be used with care because they may limit later scheduling options.)

Question 46

Which dependencies do AOA network diagrams use?

Answer 46

finish-to-start (A finish-to-start dependency is the most common type of relationship or dependency and AOA network diagrams use only finish-to-start dependencies. It is a relationship in which the “from” activity or predecessor must finish before the “to” activity or successor can start.)

Question 47

Which dependencies involve relationships between project and non-project activities?

Answer 47

external (External dependencies involve relationships between project and non-project activities.)

Question 48

Which document is most likely to include planned project start and end dates which serve as the starting points for a detailed schedule?

Answer 48

project charter (The project charter often mentions planned project start and end dates, which serve as the starting points for a more detailed schedule.)

Question 49

Which is a similarity between scope control and schedule control?

Answer 49

Both are portions of the integrated change control process under project integration management. (Like scope control, schedule control is a portion of the integrated change control process under project integration management. Controlling the schedule is the final process in project time management.)

Question 50

Which is a similarity between the crashing and fast tracking?

Answer 50

both can shorten the time needed to finish a project (The main advantage of fast tracking, like crashing, is that it can shorten the time needed to finish a project.)

Question 51

Which is an output of schedule control?

Answer 51

change requests (The main outputs of schedule control include work performance measurements, organizational process assets updates such as lessons-learned reports related to schedule control, change requests, project management plan updates, and project documents updates.)

Question 52

Which is one of the main outputs of estimating activity resources process?

Answer 52

project documents update (Project documents update is one of the main outputs of the Estimating Activity Resources process.)

Question 53

Which is true of dummy activities?

Answer 53

They show logical relationships between activities. (Dummy activities have no duration and no resources, but are occasionally needed on AOA network diagrams to show logical relationships between activities.)

Question 54

Which law states that work expands to fill the time allowed?

Answer 54

Parkinson's Law (Parkinson’s Law states that work expands to fill the time allowed.)

Question 55

Which process in project schedule management involves identifying the specific tasks that the project team members and stakeholders must perform to produce the project deliverables?

Answer 55

defining activities (In project schedule management, the process of defining activities involves identifying the specific activities that the project team members and stakeholders must perform to produce the project deliverables.)

Question 56

Which provide a standard format for displaying project schedule information by listing project activities and their corresponding start and finish dates in a calendar format?

Answer 56

Gantt charts (Gantt charts provide a standard format for displaying project schedule information by listing project activities and their corresponding start and finish dates in calendar form. They are sometimes referred to as bar charts because the activities’ start and end dates are shown as horizontal bars.)

Question 57

Which statement best describes the difference between an activity list and an activity attribute?

Answer 57

An activity attribute provides more schedule-related information about each activity than an activity list. (The activity list is a tabulation of activities to be included on a project schedule. The list should include the activity name, an activity identifier or number, and a brief description of the activity. The activity attributes provide more schedule-related information about each activity, such as predecessors, successors, logical relationships, leads and lags, and so forth.)

Question 58

Which technique involves doing activities in parallel that one would normally do in sequence?

Answer 58

Fast tracking (Fast tracking involves doing activities in parallel that one would normally do in sequence. The main advantage of fast tracking is that it can shorten the time needed to finish a project.)

Question 59

Which technique is used for making cost and schedule trade-offs to obtain the greatest amount of schedule compression for the least incremental cost?

Answer 59

crashing (Crashing is a technique for making cost and schedule trade-offs to obtain the greatest amount of schedule compression for the least incremental cost. The main advantage of crashing is shortening the time needed to finish a project.)

Question 60

Which term is used for a significant event on a project that normally has no duration?

Answer 60

milestone (A milestone on a project is a significant event that normally has no duration. It often takes several activities and a lot of work to complete a milestone, but the milestone itself is like a marker to help in identifying necessary activities.)

Question 61

Which type of dependencies are inherent in the nature of work being performed on a project?

Answer 61

mandatory (Mandatory dependencies are inherent in the nature of work being performed on a project. They are sometimes referred to as hard logic.)

Question 62

Which is true of a finish-to-finish dependency?

Answer 62

It is a dependency in which the “from” activity must be finished before the “to” activity can be finished. (A finish-to-finish dependency is a relationship in which the “from” activity must be finished before the “to” activity can be finished. One task cannot finish before another finishes.)

Question 63

Which network diagramming technique uses boxes to represent activities?

Answer 63

PDM (The precedence diagramming method (PDM) is a network diagramming technique in which boxes represent activities. It is particularly useful for visualizing certain types of time relationships.)

Question 64

Which technique involves network diagramming and is used primarily to predict total project duration?

Answer 64

critical path analysis (Critical path method (CPM) —also called critical path analysis —is a network diagramming technique used to predict total project duration. This important tool helps combat project schedule overruns.)

Question 65

Which statement is true of bottom-up estimates?

Answer 65

They are time-intensive and expensive to develop. (Bottom-up estimates involve estimating the costs of individual work items or activities and summing them to get a project total. The drawback with bottom-up estimates is that they are usually time-intensive and therefore expensive to develop.)

Question 66

A backward pass through the network diagram determines the early start and early finish dates for each activity.

Answer 66

False (A backward pass through the network diagram determines the late start and late finish dates for each activity. In contrast, a forward pass determines the early start and early finish dates for each activity.)