Time Estimation and Scheduling Techniques: Master Project Planning

Question 1

Which technique is specifically designed to identify the shortest possible project duration by determining the critical path?

Accepted Answer

CPM

Answer

Gantt chart

Answer

PERT

Answer

Monte Carlo simulation

Question 2

What is the primary purpose of critical path analysis (CPA)?

Accepted Answer

To identify the sequence of activities that determines the earliest possible project completion date

Answer

To assign resources to activities

Answer

To estimate the duration of each activity

Answer

To track the progress of the project

Question 3

Which advantage does the Program Evaluation and Review Technique (PERT) offer for time estimation?

Accepted Answer

It accounts for uncertainty in activity durations

Answer

It is a fast and straightforward method to use

Answer

It guarantees highly accurate results

Answer

It requires minimal data input

Question 4

What is the purpose of including a contingency reserve in a project schedule?

Accepted Answer

To accommodate unexpected events or delays

Answer

To reduce the overall project duration

Answer

To increase the precision of time estimates

Answer

To make the project appear more feasible

Question 5

Which is **not** a benefit of using scheduling software?

Accepted Answer

Makes it more difficult to track project progress

Answer

Automates the scheduling process

Answer

Facilitates collaboration among team members

Answer

Enhances the accuracy of time estimates

Question 6

What is the definition of a critical activity in project management?

Accepted Answer

An activity that has no float or slack time

Answer

An activity that has ample float or slack time

Answer

An activity that is not on the critical path

Answer

An activity that is on the critical path but has some float

Question 7

What is the primary distinction between a critical path and a non-critical path in project scheduling?

Accepted Answer

Critical paths determine the overall project duration, while non-critical paths do not.

Answer

Critical paths have more slack time than non-critical paths.

Answer

Non-critical paths have more slack time than critical paths.

Answer

Non-critical paths determine the overall project duration, while critical paths do not.

Question 8

What is the primary purpose of a resource histogram in project scheduling?

Accepted Answer

To identify potential resource conflicts

Answer

To determine the total cost of the project

Answer

To create a work breakdown structure

Answer

To estimate activity durations

Question 9

What is the key difference between a time-scaled network diagram and a Gantt chart in project scheduling?

Accepted Answer

A time-scaled network diagram displays the dependencies between activities, while a Gantt chart focuses on the duration of each activity.

Answer

A Gantt chart displays the dependencies between activities, while a time-scaled network diagram focuses on the duration of each activity.

Answer

A time-scaled network diagram shows the critical path, while a Gantt chart does not.

Answer

A Gantt chart shows the critical path, while a time-scaled network diagram does not.

Question 10

How does stakeholder involvement enhance project outcomes in time estimation and scheduling?

Accepted Answer

Fosters buy-in and reduces conflicts

Answer

Guarantees accurate time estimates

Answer

Simplifies project scheduling

Answer

Makes critical path analysis unnecessary

Question 11

In project scheduling, what does a positive float value represent?

Accepted Answer

The activity can be delayed by the amount of positive float without impacting the project timeline.

Answer

The activity is on the critical path and has no slack time.

Answer

The activity is ahead of schedule.

Answer

The activity has a negative float value.

Question 12

Which scheduling technique accounts for the logical relationships between project activities?

Accepted Answer

Critical path analysis (CPA)

Answer

Gantt chart

Answer

Program evaluation and review technique (PERT)

Answer

Work breakdown structure (WBS)

Question 13

In project management, what ethical considerations should guide project managers when estimating time and creating schedules?

Accepted Answer

Setting realistic deadlines to avoid excessive team pressure

Answer

Prioritizing tasks based on urgency and importance

Answer

Relying solely on project management software for scheduling

Answer

Ignoring stakeholder expectations and communication

Question 14

Critical path analysis (CPA) is primarily employed to:

Accepted Answer

Identify the sequence of tasks that must be completed on time for project completion within the scheduled timeframe.

Answer

Establish project budget

Answer

Estimate activity durations

Question 15

Which drawback is associated with Program Evaluation and Review Technique (PERT)?

Accepted Answer

Subjective and uncertain activity duration estimates

Answer

Ease of use and comprehension

Answer

Ability to model dependencies

Question 16

Which of the following is NOT an advantage of time estimation and scheduling techniques?

Accepted Answer

Eliminating uncertainty

Answer

Realistic project plans

Answer

Improved project control

Answer

Enhanced decision-making

Question 17

What core assumption underpins deterministic scheduling?

Accepted Answer

Activity durations are definitively known

Answer

Project scope is immutable

Answer

Resources are unlimited

Answer

Risks are insignificant

Question 18

Work breakdown structure (WBS) in project management primarily serves to:

Accepted Answer

Decompose a project into smaller, manageable tasks

Answer

Estimate project costs

Answer

Develop a project schedule

Question 19

Which of the following is NOT a key element of time estimation in project management?

Accepted Answer

Risk management

Answer

Expert judgment

Answer

Historical data analysis

Answer

Analogous estimation

Question 20

The critical path in project scheduling refers to the:

Accepted Answer

Longest sequence of interdependent activities determining project duration

Answer

Path with the most resources allocated

Answer

Shortest sequence of independent activities

Question 21

Which scheduling technique involves breaking down a project into smaller, manageable tasks?

Accepted Answer

Work breakdown structure

Answer

PERT diagram

Answer

Monte Carlo simulation

Answer

Gantt chart

Question 22

The primary purpose of a Gantt chart is to:

Accepted Answer

Visually represent project tasks, durations, and dependencies

Answer

Analyze project risks

Answer

Estimate project costs

Question 23

Which of the following is an advantage of using PERT (Program Evaluation and Review Technique)?

Accepted Answer

Incorporates uncertainty into project scheduling

Answer

Accurate estimation of project completion time

Answer

Simplicity and ease of use

Answer

No need for expert input

Question 24

The float of an activity in a project schedule refers to:

Accepted Answer

Amount of time an activity can be delayed without affecting the project's completion date

Answer

Predecessor activity

Answer

Duration of the activity

Question 25

The purpose of a project schedule is to:

Accepted Answer

Plan, coordinate, track, and control project activities

Answer

Identify project risks

Answer

Evaluate project performance only

Answer

Estimate project costs

Question 26

Which of the following is a limitation of using analogies for time estimation?

Accepted Answer

Assumptions about historical projects may not hold true for current projects

Answer

Ease of use

Answer

Accuracy in estimating activity durations

Question 27

The three-point estimation technique involves:

Accepted Answer

Using optimistic, most likely, and pessimistic time estimates to calculate activity duration

Answer

Consulting with multiple experts

Answer

Averaging historical data only