Project Management Test 2 (CH6-9)

In a backward pass algorithm, you subtract activity times to find the ___(LS) and ___(LF) times for each activity.

Late start, Late finish

What key pieces of activity related information are obtained after completing both the forward and backward passes?

Slack durations

Early and Late Start dates

What is one way to prevent looping if an activity has to be repeated in a project network?

Do not reuse the same identification number.

What is a horizontal bar chart showing activities/tasks with duration and timing?

A Gantt Chart.

What are the benefits of prohibiting dangler paths in a multiple project network?

Total planning period of projects can be identified.

Different start dates for each project can be achieved.

Which statement best explains a "finish to start" precedent relationship?

The predecessor must complete before the successor may start.

Transportation, legal, and mail lags are examples of finish-to-start __ relationships.

lag

This is a sequence of connected, dependent activities.

Path

Which statements are true about using a finish-to-finish precedence relationship?

The successor activity may start at any time.

The finish of one activity is dependent on the finish of another activity.

___ can be used to constrain the start and finish of an activity.

Lags

Which of the following statements is true of the level of detail for activities?

In some cases, it is possible to end up with too much information to manage.

The project ___ is a tool used planning, scheduling, and monitoring project progress.

network

What are the reasons that most project networks "fail" or are never completed in practice?

Different people define the work packages and network activities.

The work breakdown structure is poorly constructed.

___ is not allowed in project networks.

Looping

Related the number of ___ workdays to the number of workdays on your project network.

calendar

Some computer programs require a common start and finish event in the form of a ___ for a project network.

node

The yellow sticky approach of contracting project networks includes start nodes and ___ arrows.

dependency

The dependencies among activities are depicted by ___ between the rectangles (boxes) on the AON network.

arrows

This activity has more than one activity immediately following it (more than one dependency arrow flowing from it).

Burst activity

Which two precedence relationships are typically combined when more than one precedence relationship is used on a predecessor - successor pair of activities?

Start to Start.

Finish to Finish.

A project network with activity time estimates has no links to planning, scheduling and controlling of projects. (T or F)

False

The ___ pass traces each activity from the first to the last, adding the activity times.

forward

In a forward pass, you carry the EF to the next activity. Assuming that activity is a merge activity, you select the ___ early finish number (EF) of all its immediate predecessor activities.

largest

In a backward pass, ___ minus ___ = LS.

LF - DUR

What is the definition of the term "slack" or "float" in a project network?

The difference between the early and late start of an activity.

The difference between the early and late finish of an activity.

The time an activity can be delayed before it becomes critical.

Use of ___ ___ must be coordinated with all participants in the activities that follow in the chain.

total slack

___ slack occurs in practice when the critical path is delayed.

Negative

These usually represent one or more tasks from a work package.

Activity

Which of the following statements are true of network sensitivity?

Sensitivity serves as a guide to where a project manager concentrates control efforts.

In a sensitive network, the original critical path is much more likely to change once work gets under way on the project.

Free slack occurs at the ___ of a chain of activities.

end

Which of the following is true of activity numbering?

Each activity needs a unique identification code—a letter or a number.

The example of beginning to lay pipe when only one-third of the trench has been dug is an illustration of a ___ approach.

laddering

Concurrent engineering is also called ___ ___ in project management.

fast tracking

A ___ activity derives its name because it spans over a segment of a project.

hammock

In the forward pass, activity times are added as one proceeds along the network. In the backward pass, activity times are ___.

subtracted

A ___ is the minimum amount of time a dependent activity must be delayed to begin or end.

lag

___ is a function of the number of critical or near-critical paths.

Sensitivity

Knowing the four activity times of ES, LS, EF, and LF is invaluable for the ___, ___, and ___ phases of a project.

planning, scheduling, and controlling

Conditional statements are allowed in project networks. (T or F)

False

With respect to using software to build a project network, the authors contention is that.

Understanding the calculations used is vital to proper use.

___-to-start lags are frequently used when ordering materials.

Finish

___ paths give the impression that the project does not have a clear beginning or ending.

Dangler

Which statements are true about using a start to finish precedence relationship?

Lags should be used with this type of relationship.

The successor activity starts after completion of previous activity.

Which of the following statements are true about project network sensitivity?

The higher the sensitivity, the more likely the critical path will change.

High sensitivity is a result of many "near critical" (low slack) activities.

When projects have many dependency relationships, a Gantt chart ___.

gets overwhelming

___ slack is the amount of time an activity can exceed its early finish date without affecting the project end date or an imposed completion date.

Total

When should a project utilize the "project network" tool?

When planning, scheduling, and monitoring are important.

The activities within a project network are taken from a work breakdown structure. Which statement about network activities is correct?

Networks consist of all activities that contain one or more work packages.

An activity identification number must be ___ than that of any activities that precede it.

larger

Historically, two methods have been used to develop project networks. Which of the following are they?

AOA (Activity-on-Arrow)

AON (Activity-on-Node)

In a backward pass, assume the preceding activity is not a burst activity. You carry the LS to the preceding activity to establish its ___.

LF

If the total slack of one activity in a path is used, the slack for all activities that follow will be ___.

reduced

The critical path is the network paths that have the ___ slack in common.

least

As a general rule, project numbering systems should ___.

be in ascending order

Activities can be broken into segments and the network drawn using a ___ approach so the following activity can begin sooner and not delay the work.

laddering

Which of the following are key benefits of using lags with start to start relationships?

Reduction of network detail

Reduction of project delay

Which two activity times tell the project manager the time interval in which the activity should be completed?

LF

ES

___ is an attempt by the planner to return to an earlier activity.

Looping

Most computer programs will assign calendar dates automatically after you identify ___.

start dates

time units

non-working days

___ ___ basically breaks activities into smaller segments so that work can be done in parallel and the project expedited.

concurrent engineering

How does total slack relate to a project network's critical path?

Activities with the minimum amount of slack make up the critical path.

Which condition is indicative that total slack has/will not be completely consumed (i.e. "used")?

When an activity begins before the late start date.

What is a project network?

A graphical representation of the project in flow chart form.

An ___ is an element in the project that consumes time—for example, work or waiting.

activity

What does scenario analysis analyze?

risks

In a generic project life cycle, which phase would incur the highest cost if a negative risk event occurs?

Delivering

Why should groups be used in the risk identification stage, rather than individuals?

To make more accurate judgments about risks.

Which of the following pertain to "risk" in the context of project management?

A risk is an uncertain event or condition.

A risk may have a negative impact on project objectives.

A risk may have a positive impact on project objectives.

A risk analysis scale defines ___.

the levels of risk probability and impact

Why is the second step of risk management to assess the risks identified in the first step?

To establish priorities for attention

Identify the responses to a risk event when the risk has been identified and assessed.

Transfer

Mitigate

Retain

Avoid

Which statement is true about the impacts of project funding cuts?

Severe budget cuts are best met by scaling back the scope of the project to what is possible.

A risk breakdown structure should focus on task-level risks during the initial risk identification stage. (T or F)

False

Which of the following types of activities might need time buffers?

Activities that require scarce resources

Merge activities

Noncritical activities to reduce the likelihood that they will create another critical path

Activities with severe risks

___ scales can be a bit more problematic, since adverse risks affect project objectives differently.

Impact

Risk response approaches are

Specific to each risk event.

An effective tool for identifying specific risks is the ___ ___ ___.

risk breakdown structure

In the face of overall schedule uncertainty, buffers are sometimes added to the ___ of the project.

end

Risk profiles are updated and refined during the post-project ___.

audit

Basically PERT simulation assumes a statistical distribution, range between ___ and ___, for each activity duration.

optimistic and pessimistic

Which mitigation strategy is normally first pursued to minimize the cost impact of a risk event occurring?

Reduce likelihood.

Which best describes what is meant by "risk avoidance" in a risk management plan?

Changing the project plan to eliminate a risk condition.

What is key to developing a risk transfer approach to risk management?

Identify and document responsibility for absorbing the impact of the risk occurrence.

When the project encounters a threat that is outside the scope of the project or the authority of the project manager, what should they do?

Notify the appropriate people within the organization

The risk breakdown structure is used in conjunction with the ___ to help identify risks.

work breakdown structure

Which statements are correct with respect to time buffers?

Buffers should be added to projects with high uncertainties.

___ risk occurs when a conscious decision is made to accept the risk of an event occurring.

Retaining

Identify the two statements that are correct and explain the distinction between a risk response plan and a contingency plan.

Contingency plans go into effect after a risk occurrence happens.

Risk response plans are initiated before the risk occurs.

Which are appropriate methods for handling technical (project technology related issues) risk?

Contingency plans go into effect after a risk occurrence happens.

Risk response plans are initiated before the risk occurs.

What type of contingency is typically required to manage a "schedule risk," i.e., finishing a project late?

Contingency funds, i.e. cash

Which statement(s) best describe managing cost risks?

Price risks should be evaluated item by item on cost-sensitive projects.

Factors that will change should be identified and the magnitude of change should be estimated.

Which statement is correct with respect to transferring risk?

Transfer of risk does not change the likelihood or impact.

An ___ is an event that can have a positive impact on project objectives.

opportunity

___ funds are established to cover project risks.

Contingency

Contingency reserves ___ as the project progresses.

decrease

Contingency and management reserves should be kept ___.

separate

Which are potential impacts given a project with risk responses but no contingency plan?

Incorrect actions taken.

Delayed corrective action.

Panic.

___, or reducing project duration, is accomplished by shortening one or more activities on the critical path.

Crashing

How are fixed-price contracts an example of transferring risk?

The contractor knows her firm will be responsible for any risks, so the risk factor is added to the contract bid price.

What functions are included in a risk response strategy?

Initiating contingency plans

Monitoring "triggering" events

Watching for new risks