Question 1

For an activity with more than one immediate successor activity, its latest-finish time is equal to the
A) largest latest-finish time among its immediate successors.
B) smallest latest-finish time among its immediate successors.
C) largest latest-start time among its immediate successors.
D) smallest latest-start time among its immediate successors.

Accepted Answer

D

Question 2

The critical path
A) is any path that goes from the starting node to the completion node.
B) is a combination of all paths.
C) is the shortest path.
D) is the longest path.

Accepted Answer

The critical path is the longest path in a project network diagram. It represents the sequence of tasks that must be completed on time in order to complete the project within its allotted time frame. Any delay in completing a task on the critical path will delay the entire project.

Question 3

PERT and CPM are applicable only when there is no dependence among activities.

Accepted Answer

PERT and CPM are designed to handle activities that have dependencies and interactions. They are specifically used to model and manage complex projects with interdependent tasks.

Question 4

The earliest start time rule
A) compares the starting times of all activities for successors of an activity.
B) compares the finish times for all immediate predecessors of an activity.
C) determines when the project can begin.
D) determines when the project must begin.

Accepted Answer

The earliest start time rule involves comparing the finish times of all immediate predecessors of an activity to determine the earliest point at which an activity can begin. This ensures that all necessary preceding tasks are completed before a new one starts.

Question 5

Arcs in a project network indicate
A) completion times.
B) precedence relationships.
C) activities.
D) the critical path.

Accepted Answer

Arcs in a project network indicate precedence relationships, which means they show which tasks must be completed before another can begin. They do not indicate completion times (which would be shown by nodes), individual activities (which would also be shown by nodes), or the critical path (which is determined by the sequence of tasks and the estimated duration of each task).

Question 6

Slack equals
A) LF - EF.
B) EF-LF.
C) EF - LS.
D) LF - ES.

Accepted Answer

Slack is a messaging platform primarily used for team communication. The abbreviation LF typically stands for "line feed" and EF for "end of file." Therefore, option B is the most logical answer as it consists of the abbreviations EF, F1F1F1S1-F1F1F10, and LF, which could represent the beginning and end of a digital message on the platform.

Question 7

Which is not a significant challenge of project scheduling?
A) deadlines exist.
B) activities are independent.
C) many employees could be required.
D) delays are costly.

Accepted Answer

Activities being independent is not a significant challenge of project scheduling as it simplifies the scheduling process. Dependencies among activities can cause complications in the scheduling process. The other options (A, C, D) are all significant challenges of project scheduling.

Question 8

To determine how to crash activity times
A) normal activity costs and costs under maximum crashing must be known.
B) shortest times with crashing must be known.
C) realize that new paths may become critical.
D) All of the alternatives are true.

Accepted Answer

To determine how to crash activity times, all of the alternatives (A, B, and C) are true. Normal activity costs and costs under maximum crashing must be known to determine the cost-effectiveness of crashing. Shortest times with crashing must be known to determine the minimum possible project duration. And new paths may become critical when crashing, which could affect the overall critical path and project duration. Therefore, all of the alternatives are necessary to determine the best approach for crashing activity times.

Question 9

Which of the following is always true about a critical activity?
A) LS = EF.
B) LF = LS.
C) ES = LS.
D) EF = ES.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which of the following is always true...

Question 10

PERT and CPM
A) are most valuable when a small number of activities must be scheduled.
B) have different features and are not applied to the same situation.
C) do not require a chronological relationship among activities.
D) have been combined to develop a procedure that uses the best of each.

Accepted Answer

PERT (Program Evaluation and Review Technique) and CPM (Critical Path Method) have been combined to form a more comprehensive project management approach. PERT deals with uncertain activity times and helps in identifying the critical path. CPM deals with predictable activity times and helps in identifying project duration and the critical path. The combination of both techniques results in a more accurate estimation of project duration and identification of critical path activities.

Question 11

Critical activities are those that can be delayed without delaying the entire project.

Accepted Answer

Critical activities are those that must be completed within a specific timeframe and cannot be delayed without delaying the entire project. Therefore, option B is the correct answer.

Question 12

Activities following a node
A) can begin as soon as any activity preceding the node has been completed.
B) have an earliest start time equal to the largest of the earliest finish times for all activities entering the node.
C) have a latest start time equal to the largest of the earliest finish times for all activities entering the node.
D) None of the alternatives is correct.

Accepted Answer

Activities following a node cannot start until all preceding activities have been completed, so option A is incorrect. The earliest start time for an activity following a node is determined by the largest of the earliest finish times for all activities entering the node, as these activities must be finished before the next activity can begin. Therefore, option B is correct. Option C is incorrect because the latest start time is based on the earliest start time and the duration of the activity, not the earliest finish times of preceding activities. Option D is incorrect because option B is correct.

Question 13

In deciding which activities to crash, one must
A) crash all critical activities.
B) crash largest-duration activities.
C) crash lowest-cost activities.
D) crash activities on the critical path(s) only.

Accepted Answer

Crashing activities on the critical path(s) only will have the greatest impact on shortening the overall project duration. Activities that are not on the critical path do not directly impact the project's duration, so crashing them may not be as effective in speeding up the project. Additionally, crashing all critical activities or largest-duration activities may not be feasible due to resource or cost constraints. Crashing lowest-cost activities may not have a significant impact on shortening the project duration if they are not on the critical path.

Question 14

Activities with zero slack
A) can be delayed.
B) must be completed first.
C) lie on a critical path.
D) have no predecessors.

Accepted Answer

Activities with zero slack lie on the critical path, which means they are essential to the project timeline and cannot be delayed or completed out of order.

Question 15

For an activity with more than one immediate predecessor activity, which of the following is used to compute its earliest finish (EF) time?
A) the largest EF among the immediate predecessors.
B) the average EF among the immediate predecessors.
C) the largest LF among the immediate predecessors.
D) the difference in EF among the immediate predecessors.

Accepted Answer

The earliest finish (EF) time of an activity with more than one immediate predecessor is determined by taking the largest EF among the immediate predecessors. This is because the activity cannot finish until all of its predecessors have finished, and the largest EF represents the earliest possible time at which all of the predecessors have finished.

Question 16

Which of the following is a general rule for crashing activities?
A) Crash only non-critical activities.
B) Crash activities with zero slack.
C) Crash activities with the greatest number of predecessors.
D) Crash the path with the fewest activities.

Accepted Answer

Crashing activities with zero slack means that we can reduce the duration of the activity without affecting the overall project duration. This can help to save time and cost without risking delays. Crashing non-critical activities or activities with the greatest number of predecessors may not necessarily lead to a reduction in project duration. Crashing the path with the fewest activities may not be the optimal approach as it may not have the greatest impact on overall project duration.

Question 17

Activities G, P, and R are the immediate predecessors for activity W. If the earliest finish times for the three are 12, 15, and 10, then the earliest start time for W
A) is 10.
B) is 12.
C) is 15.
D) cannot be determined.

Accepted Answer

For activity W to start, all of its immediate predecessors need to be completed. The earliest finish time for the immediate predecessors of W are 12, 15, and 10. Since activity G has the earliest finish time at 10, it must be completed before W can start. Therefore, the earliest start time for W is the same as the earliest finish time for G, which is 10. Therefore, the answer is choice A.

Question 18

Activities K, M and S immediately follow activity H, and their latest start times are 14, 18, and 11. The latest finish time for activity H
A) is 11.
B) is 14.
C) is 18.
D) cannot be determined.

Accepted Answer

The latest finish time for activity H is the earliest of the latest start times of activities K, M, and S, which is 11.

Question 19

To calculate an activity's latest finish time, you should consider its
A) predecessors' latest finish times
B) predecessors' latest start times
C) successors' earliest start times
D) successors' latest start times

Accepted Answer

The answer of To calculate an activity's latest finish time,...

Question 20

When activity times are uncertain,
A) assume they are normally distributed.
B) calculate the expected time, using (a + 4m + b)/6.
C) use the most likely time.
D) calculate the expected time, using (a + m + b)/3.

Accepted Answer

The answer of When activity times are uncertain,
A) assume they...

Quiz 9: Project Scheduling: Pertcpm

For an activity with more than one immediate successor activity, its latest-finish time is equal to the

The critical path

PERT and CPM are applicable only when there is no dependence among activities.

The earliest start time rule

Arcs in a project network indicate

Slack equals

Which is not a significant challenge of project scheduling?

To determine how to crash activity times

Which of the following is always true about a critical activity?

PERT and CPM

Critical activities are those that can be delayed without delaying the entire project.

Activities following a node

In deciding which activities to crash, one must

Activities with zero slack

For an activity with more than one immediate predecessor activity, which of the following is used to compute its earliest finish (EF) time?

Which of the following is a general rule for crashing activities?

Activities G, P, and R are the immediate predecessors for activity W. If the earliest finish times for the three are 12, 15, and 10, then the earliest start time for W

Activities K, M and S immediately follow activity H, and their latest start times are 14, 18, and 11. The latest finish time for activity H

To calculate an activity's latest finish time, you should consider its

When activity times are uncertain,