File: ch08, Chapter 8: Scheduling
Multiple Choice
1. The authors recommend preparing a schedule for each __________.
a) work package in the WBS
b) task in the WBS
c) major task level in the WBS
d) project that has a WBS
Ans: c
Section Reference: 8.1 Background
Level: easy
Bloom’s: Knowledge
2. In application, PERT has primarily been used for __________.
a) construction projects
b) manufacturing projects
c) industrial projects
d) research and development projects
Ans: d
Section Reference: 8.2 Network Techniques: PERT and CPM
Level: easy
Bloom’s: Knowledge
3. The critical activities in real-world projects typically constitute less than __________%
of the total activities in the project.
a) 5
b) 10
c) 30
d) 50
Ans: b
Section Reference: 8.2 Network Techniques: PERT and CPM
Level: easy
Bloom’s: Comprehension
4. Which of the following is NOT a software tool commonly used to manage projects,
especially in relation to time and cost budgets?
a) Microsoft Project
b) Microsoft Excel
c) Crystal Ball
d) Microsoft Word
Ans: d
Section Reference: 8.4 Using These Tools
Level: intermediate
Bloom’s: Comprehension
5. In the AOA network, circles depict ________.
a) networks
b) events
c) logical dependencies
d) dummy activities
Ans: b
Section Reference: 8.2 Network Techniques: PERT and CPM
Level: easy
Bloom’s: Knowledge
6. Most commercially available project management software applications use the
__________.
a) GERT chart
b) Bar chart
c) AOA network
d) AON network
Ans: d
Section Reference: 8.2 Network Techniques: PERT and CPM
Level: easy
Bloom’s: Knowledge
7. The calculation of the standard deviation for the beta distribution is based on the
assumption that __________.
a) the range is divided by a count of the values used to compute the mean
b) the range is approximately equal to six times the standard deviation
c) the standard deviation is 50 percent of the mean
d) the standard deviation is the square of the statistical variance
Ans: b
Section Reference: 8.2 Network Techniques: PERT and CPM
Level: intermediate
Bloom’s: Comprehension
8. Task F has duration of 10 days and an earliest start date of 20 days. Based on the
given data, determine the early finish duration for task F.
a) 10 days
b) 20 days
c) 30 days
d) 5 days
Ans: c
Section Reference: 8.2 Network Techniques: PERT and CPM
Level: easy
Bloom’s: Analysis
9. The shortest time in which the entire network can be completed is referred to as the
__________.
a) critical time of the network
b) real duration of the network
c) elapsed time of the network
d) slack time of the network
Ans: a
Section Reference: 8.2 Network Techniques: PERT and CPM
Level: intermediate
Bloom’s: Comprehension
10. When using the beta distribution, the denominator of the formula for standard
deviation should ________.
a) be approximately one-sixth of its range.
b) be adjusted by converting the range into the correct statistical variance
c) be adjusted by converting the range into the correct z-score value
d) be adjusted by converting the range into 50 percent of the mean
Ans: c
Section Reference: 8.2 Network Techniques: PERT and CPM
Level: advanced
Bloom’s: Comprehension
11. A precedence relationship where the completion of a successor activity depends on
the completion of a predecessor activity is called a __________.
a) start to finish dependency
b) finish to start dependency
c) finish to finish dependency
d) start to start dependency
Ans: c
Section Reference: 8.2 Network Techniques: PERT and CPM
Level: intermediate
Bloom’s: Knowledge
12. Slack is also known as __________.
a) critical path
b) scope
c) float
d) precedence
Ans: c
Section Reference: 8.2 Network Techniques: PERT and CPM
Level: easy
Bloom’s: Knowledge
13. The use of PERT has declined sharply in recent years because a large majority of
project management software __________.
a) have become obsolete
b) use probabilistic techniques
c) generate CPM networks
d) are characterized by high prices
Ans: c
Section Reference: 8.2 Network Techniques: PERT and CPM
Level: easy
Bloom’s: Comprehension
14. A precedent relationship where the completion of a predecessor activity depends on
the initiation of a successor activity is called a __________.
a) start to finish dependency
b) finish to start dependency
c) finish to finish dependency
d) start to start dependency
Ans: a
Section Reference: 8.2 Network Techniques: PERT and CPM
Level: intermediate
Bloom’s: Knowledge
15. The variance of a population is a measure of the population’s __________.
a) dispersion
b) proportion
c) uniqueness
d) skewness
Ans: a
Section Reference: 8.2 Network Techniques: PERT and CPM
Level: easy
Bloom’s: Knowledge
16. Which of the following is NOT an advantage of a Gantt chart?
a) It can be easily understood.
b) Gantt charts are more effective for very large projects than ordinary projects.
c) It provides a good picture of the state of the project.
d) It is relatively easy to maintain.
Ans: b
Section Reference: 8.2 Network Techniques: PERT and CPM
Level: easy
Bloom’s: Comprehension
17. __________ was developed by the U.S. Navy while the __________ was developed
by __________.
a) PERT, CPM, DuPont
b) PERT, Gantt, DuPont
c) Gantt, PERT, U.S. Army
d) DuPont, CPM, U.S. Army
Ans: a
Section Reference: 8.2 Network Techniques: PERT and CPM
Level: intermediate
Bloom’s: Comprehension
18. __________ have a weakness of being difficult to follow when multiple paths exist,
but __________ are more helpful in the hands-on task of managing the project.
a) Networks, Gantt charts
b) Activity sets, networks
c) Gantt charts, networks
d) Gantt charts, activity sets
Ans: c
Section Reference: 8.2 Network Techniques: PERT and CPM
Level: Intermediate
Bloom’s: Comprehension
19. It is important to good project management to be __________ in estimating the time
required to complete each of the various tasks included in the project.
a) accurate
b) honest
c) well-timed
d) clear
Ans: b
Section Reference: 8.2 Network Techniques: PERT and CPM
Level: Easy
Bloom’s: Comprehension
20. The difference between the late start and early start for an activity is called its
__________.
a) critical path
b) task
c) progress
d) float
Ans: d
Section Reference: 8.2 Network Techniques: PERT and CPM
Level: easy
Bloom’s: Knowledge
21. The authors define __________ as the time an activity can be delayed without
affecting the start time of any successor activity
a) free slack
b) total slack
c) project slack
d) overhead slack
Ans: a
Section Reference: 8.2 Network Techniques: PERT and CPM
Level: easy
Bloom’s: Knowledge
22. __________ is one possible way to check the nature and impacts of interactions
between probabilistic paths in a network.
a) Simulation
b) Extrapolation
c) Guessing
d) Probabilistic time estimates
Ans: a
Section Reference: 8.2 Network Techniques: PERT and CPM
Level: intermediate
Bloom’s: Knowledge
23. A(n) __________ is the conversion of the project work breakdown structure into an
operating timetable.
a) chart
b) application
c) crash
d) schedule
Ans: d
Section Reference: 8.1 Background
Level: easy
Bloom’s: Knowledge
24. A(n) __________ is a specific task or set of tasks that are required by the project,
use up resources, and take time to complete.
a) milestone
b) activity
c) node
d) path
Ans: b
Section Reference: 8.2 Network Techniques: PERT and CPM
Level: easy
Bloom’s: Knowledge
25. The authors, when discussing networks, describe a(n) __________ as the result of
completing one or more activities. It is an identifiable end state, which does not use any
resources, occurring at a particular time.
a) crash
b) network
c) event
d) node
Ans: c
Section Reference: 8.2 Network Techniques: PERT and CPM
Level: easy
Bloom’s: Knowledge
26. The arrangement of all activities (and, in some cases, events) in a project arrayed in
their logical sequence and represented by arcs and nodes is called a __________.
a) network
b) critical path
c) path
d) crashed path
Ans: a
Section Reference: 8.2 Network Techniques: PERT and CPM
Level: easy
Bloom’s: Knowledge
27. The series of connected activities (or intermediate events) between any two events
in a network is called __________.
a) path
b) node
c) chart
d) arc
Ans: a
Section Reference: 8.2 Network Techniques: PERT and CPM
Level: easy
Bloom’s: Knowledge
28. In a network, if the delay of an activity will delay completion of the project, the activity
is called a(n) __________.
a) valuable
b) efficient
c) critical
d) noteworthy
Ans: c
Section Reference: 8.2 Network Techniques: PERT and CPM
Level: easy
Bloom’s: Knowledge
29. In AOA networks, an activity of zero duration is called a(n) ________.
a) dummy activity
b) critical
c) important
d) critical activity
Ans: a
Section Reference: 8.2 Network Techniques: PERT and CPM
Level: easy
Bloom’s: Knowledge
30. The __________ chart shows planned and actual progress for a number of tasks
displayed against a horizontal timescale.
a) PERT
b) timeline
c) critical
d) Gantt
Ans: d
Section Reference: 8.2 Network Techniques: PERT and CPM
Level: easy
Bloom’s: Knowledge
31. Project task E has the following estimates: (1) optimistic time – 10 days, (2)
Pessimistic time - 20 days, and (3) Most likely time - 12 Days. The expected time using
the beta statistical distribution is __________ days.
a) 13
b) 14
c) 9
d) 22
Ans: a
Section Reference: 8.2 Network Techniques: PERT and CPM
Level: intermediate
Bloom’s: Analysis
32. __________ law suggests that work expands to fill the allotted time.
a) Parkinson’s
b) Murphy’s
c) Brooks’
d) Federal
Ans: a
Section Reference: 8.2 Network Techniques: PERT and CPM
Level: easy
Bloom’s: Knowledge
33. Project task E has the following estimates: (1) optimistic time – 10 days, (2)
Pessimistic time - 20 days, and (3) Most likely time – 12 Days. The standard deviation
for time using the beta statistical distribution is ________ days.
a) 2
b) 1.5
c) 2.33
d) 1.67
Ans: d
Section Reference: 8.2 Network Techniques: PERT and CPM
Level: easy
Bloom’s: Analysis
34. Task H has duration of 5 days, an early start of 25 days, an early finish of 30 days, a
late start of 25 days, and a late finish of 30 days. There are __________ days of slack
for task H.
a) 0
b) 5
c) 10
d) 20
Ans: a
Section Reference: 8.2 Network Techniques: PERT and CPM
Level: intermediate
Bloom’s: Analysis
35. Any time two or more paths of a network come together, the probability of both paths
being on time is the product of the probabilities for the individual paths. This scenario is
referred to as __________.
a) merge bias
b) node bias
c) critical bias
d) critical merge
Ans: a
Section Reference: 8.2 Network Techniques: PERT and CPM
Level: intermediate
Bloom’s: Knowledge
36. Assume that task J has a most likely duration of 20 days, an optimistic duration of 13
days, and a pessimistic duration of 30 days. If the optimistic and pessimistic durations
are 95 percent estimates, the standard deviation for task J is ________ days.
a) 5.167
b) 5
c) 4.67
d) 3.2
Ans: a
Section Reference: 8.2 Network Techniques: PERT and CPM
Level: advanced
Bloom’s: Analysis
37. In CPM(PDM), an activity can be conducted at a normal pace or an expedited pace,
known as ________, at a greater cost.
a) floating
b) crashing
c) arcing
d) condensing
Ans: b
Section Reference: Glossary
Level: easy
Bloom’s: Comprehension
38. The line connecting two nodes is referred to as a(n)
a) arc
b) bridge
c) critical node
d) milestone
Ans: c
Section Reference: Glossary
Level: easy
Bloom’s: Knowledge
39. A clearly identifiable point in a project or set of activities that commonly denotes a
reporting requirement or completion of a large or important set of activities is called a(n)
__________.
a) milestone
b) anniversary
c) node
d) dummy activity
Ans: a
Section Reference: Glossary
Level: easy
Bloom’s: Knowledge
40. A __________ is a combination of interrelated activities and events depicted with
arcs and nodes.
a) linked plan
b) chain of events
c) critical chain
d) network
Ans: d
Section Reference: Glossary
Level: easy
Bloom’s: Knowledge
41. In AON diagrams, a(n) __________ is a point where one or more lines (arrows)
begin or terminate, commonly used for depicting an event or activity.
a) activity
b) path
c) node
d) arc
Ans: c
Section Reference: Glossary
Level: easy
Bloom’s: Knowledge
42. __________ is the amount of one factor that must be sacrificed in order to achieve
more or less of another factor.
a) Trade-off
b) Synergy
c) Barter limit
d) Limiting quantity
Ans: a
Section Reference: Glossary
Level: easy
Bloom’s: Knowledge
43. The _________ was developed by Henry Gantt in 1917.
a) Gantt Chart
b) PERT Diagram
c) Delphi Method
d) Gantt Diagram
Ans: a
Section Reference: Glossary
Level: easy
Bloom’s: Knowledge
Essay
44. Describe the benefits of forming a network of activity and event relationships that
graphically portrays sequential relations between tasks in a project.
Ans: The benefits of such a network are the following: (1) The interdependence of all
tasks, work package, and network elements is documented. (2) It can be used to
determine the expected project completion date. (3) It identifies the critical activities that
if delayed will delay the project completion time. (4) It identifies activities with slack that
can be used should schedule compression become necessary on the critical path. (5) It
can be used to schedule resources.
Section Reference: 8.1 Background
Level: easy
Bloom’s: Comprehension
45. Explain why it is important to evaluate non-critical paths that possess large variances
and/or path times that are close to critical in duration.
Ans: Assuming that the project is stable and under control, random uncertainty present
in the network will exhibit cumulative interactions reflecting the inherent randomness of
independent activities within the network. Therefore, an activity having only a relatively
small amount of slack could potentially exceed the critical time calculated from the
expected critical path. Moreover, as statistical variances rise in relation to expected
duration, the range of uncertainty in near critical paths will exhibit wider dispersion.
The probabilities computed using just the critical path are always optimistic, sometimes
just a little but occasionally by a great deal! If the paths are not independent, the
calculations become more complicated. Therefore, it is a good idea to always check
noncritical paths that have activities with large variances and/or path times that are close
to critical in duration.
Section Reference: 8.2 Network Techniques: PERT and CPM
Level: advanced
Bloom’s: Comprehension
46. Explain the meaning of slack in a network.
Ans: Slack is synonymous with float. Slack is the amount of time that an activity can be
delayed without delaying completion of the project. In order to have slack, the activity will
not be located on the critical path of the network. An activity with low slack can be
classified as a near critical activity because the amount of slack is small in relation to the
time required to complete the path it is in. Should it become necessary to crash a
project, it may be possible to borrow resources from activities that have slack.
Section Reference: 8.2 Network Techniques: PERT and CPM
Level: intermediate
Bloom’s: Comprehension
47. Describe the process for determining the critical path in a network.
Ans: (1) Draw the network and determine the logical relationships between the activities
in it. (2) Determine the duration for each activity. (3) Perform the forward pass calculation
to determine the critical time for the network. (4) Perform the backward pass calculation
to establish the slack for each activity in the network. (5) If an activity has 0 slack, then it
is a critical activity. (6) The critical path is composed of the critical activities identified in
this manner. (7) It is possible to have more than one critical path in a network.
Section Reference: 8.2 Network Techniques: PERT and CPM
Level: easy
Bloom’s: Comprehension
48. Explain the difference between Total Slack and Free Slack in a network.
Ans: The total slack is the amount of time a scheduled activity may be delayed from its
early start date without delaying the project finish date. The free slack is the amount of
time that a scheduled activity can be delayed without delaying the early start date of any
node immediately following scheduled activity.
Section Reference: 8.2 Network Techniques: PERT and CPM
Level: easy
Bloom’s: Comprehension