CPE Project Planning & Scheduling Techniques 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which probabilistic scheduling technique uses repeated simulations to model the range of possible project completion dates?
- Critical Path Method (CPM)
- PERT Analysis
- Monte Carlo Simulation (Correct answer)
- Line of Balance (LOB)
Correct answer: Monte Carlo Simulation
Monte Carlo Simulation runs thousands of iterations with varied activity durations to produce a probability distribution of project completion dates.
Question 2: In a Linear Scheduling Method (LSM) or Time-Chainage diagram, the slope of an activity line represents:
- The total cost of the activity
- The production rate or velocity of the activity (Correct answer)
- The critical float of the activity
- The resource loading profile of the activity
Correct answer: The production rate or velocity of the activity
The slope of a line in a time-chainage diagram represents the rate of production (e.g., meters per day), enabling planners to visualize crew movement along a linear project.
Question 3: In the context of schedule baseline management, what must occur before a schedule change is formally incorporated into the baseline?
- Approval through the Integrated Change Control process (Correct answer)
- Notification of all team members via status meeting
- Recalculation of all activity durations
- Reissue of the project charter
Correct answer: Approval through the Integrated Change Control process
All changes to the schedule baseline must go through Integrated Change Control (ICC) to ensure changes are reviewed, approved, and documented.
Question 4: Which type of schedule reserve is held by the project manager to address identified risks?
- Management Reserve
- Contingency Reserve (Correct answer)
- Buffer Float
- Slack Allowance
Correct answer: Contingency Reserve
Contingency Reserve is allocated by the project manager for known-unknown risks identified during risk analysis, while Management Reserve is for unknown-unknowns.
Question 5: What is the primary benefit of using the Critical Chain Method (CCM) over CPM?
- It eliminates the need for resource calendars
- It addresses resource dependencies and student syndrome by using project and feeding buffers (Correct answer)
- It provides more accurate cost estimates for critical activities
- It reduces the number of activities required in the schedule
Correct answer: It addresses resource dependencies and student syndrome by using project and feeding buffers
CCM accounts for resource constraints and human behavior (Parkinson's Law, student syndrome) by removing individual task buffers and replacing them with project and feeding buffers.
Question 6: A Finish-to-Finish (FF) relationship with a lag of 5 days means:
- The successor must finish 5 days before the predecessor finishes
- The successor cannot finish until 5 days after the predecessor finishes (Correct answer)
- The successor must start 5 days after the predecessor finishes
- The predecessor must wait 5 days after the successor finishes
Correct answer: The successor cannot finish until 5 days after the predecessor finishes
An FF+5 relationship requires the successor activity to finish no earlier than 5 days after the predecessor's finish date.
Question 7: During schedule development, 'Analogous Estimating' is most appropriate when:
- Detailed scope definition is available for all activities
- Limited information is available and a quick, rough estimate is needed (Correct answer)
- The project team has extensive experience with the specific activity type
- Parametric models have been validated for this project type
Correct answer: Limited information is available and a quick, rough estimate is needed
Analogous estimating uses historical data from similar past projects as a reference when detailed information is scarce, making it fast but less accurate.
CPE Project Planning & Scheduling Techniques 4
Which probabilistic scheduling technique uses repeated simulations to model the range of possible project completion dates?