File:%20ch01,%20Chapter%201:%20Projects%20in%20Contemporary%20Organizations/

File: ch08, Chapter 8: Scheduling

Updated: Dwayne Whitten, Texas A&M University

Multiple Choice

1. With the exception of Gantt charts, the most common approach to project scheduling is the use of network techniques such as ___________.a) PERT and CPMb) Dummy activitiesc) crashing and slackingd) Loopbacks and backgrounds

Ans: aResponse: Refer to section 8.2, Network Techniques: Pert and CPM. Level: easy

2. In the AOA network, dotted-line arrows depicta) Activitiesb) Eventsc) Logical dependenciesd) Dummy activities

Ans: dResponse: Refer to Figure 8-8.Level: easy

3. The projects master schedule contains only major tasks and is oriented toward _________.a) Monitoring detailed progress of workb) Overall project management rather than precise control of detailed workc) Overall project management, including precise control of detailed workd) Detailed resource management

Ans: bResponse: Refer to section 8.2, Gantt charts and Microsoft Project 2002.Level: easy

4. Task F has duration of 12 days and an early start date of 30 days. Based on the given data, determine the early finish date for task F.a) 12 daysb) 18 daysc) 30 daysd) 42 days

Ans: dResponse: Refer to section 8.2, critical path and time.Level: easy

5. The critical time of the network is the ________ time in which the entire network can be completed a) shortestb) most likelyc) mediand) longest

Ans: aResponse: Refer to section 8.2, critical path and timeLevel: advanced

6. A schedule is the conversion of a __________ into an operating timetable. a) rough draftb) GANTT chartc) PERT diagramd) project action plan

Ans: dResponse: Refer to section 8.1Level: easy

7. It is good practice to create a schedule for every _________ in the WBS that will cover the work packages. a) minor task levelb) PERT diagramc) major task leveld) task

Ans: cResponse: Refer to section 8.1Level: easy

8. A(n) _________ is the result of completing one or more activities. a) event b) taskc) pathd) network

Ans: aResponse: Refer to section 8.2 terminologyLevel:

Short Answer

9. The authors recommend preparing a schedule for each ________ in the WBS.

Ans: major task level.Response: Refer to section 8.1.Level: easy

10. The calculation of the standard deviation for the ________ distribution is based on the assumption that the distributions range is approximately equal to six standard deviations.

Ans: beta.Response: Refer to section 8.2, calculating activity times.Level: intermediate

11. While performing a forward pass calculation to determine the critical path of a network when multiple paths converge into a successor activity, the value carried forward is the _________________.

Ans: largest early finish.Response: Refer to section 8.2, critical path and time.Level: easy

12. While performing a backward pass calculation for a network when multiple paths converge into a predecessor activity, the value carried backward is the __________.

Ans: smallest late start.Response: Refer to section 8.2, critical path and time, slack.Level: easy

13. When determining the chance of meeting a schedule deadline, project managers can use a formula to calculate ______, which is the probability of completing the project on time. a) Zb) Nc) Xd) R

Ans: aResponse: Refer to section 8.2, uncertainty of project completion time.Level: intermediate

True/False

14. The critical activities in real-world projects typically constitute no less than 25% of the total activities in the project.

Ans: FalseResponse: Refer to section 8.2. The critical activities in real-world projects typically constitute less than 10% of the total activities of the project.Level: easy

15. In a network, an activity that does not have a duration and does not use resources is referred to as a dummy activity.

Ans: TrueResponse: Refer to section 8.2, Constructing the Network, AOA Version Level: easy

16. Most commercially available project management software applications use the AOA type of network.

Ans: FalseResponse: Refer to section 8.2, constructing the network AOA version.Level: easy

17. One of the benefits of a Gantt chart is that they are easy to understand and maintain.

Ans: TrueResponse: Refer to section 8.2, Gantt Charts and MS ProjectLevel: easy

18. Milestones typically have a long duration.

Ans: FalseResponse: Refer to section 8.2. Milestones do not have a duration.Level: easy

19. Total slack is defined as the time an activity can be delayed without affecting the start time of any successor activities.

Ans: FalseResponse: Refer to section 8.2, slack; It is free slack which is defined as the time an activity can be delayed without affecting the start time of any successor activity. Level: easy

20. Parkinsons Law indicates that work expands to fill the allotted time.

Ans: TrueResponse: Refer to section 8.2, calculating activity times Level: easy