Critical Path Method Flashcards

In a Finish-to-Start relationship with a lag of 3 days, if the predecessor finishes on day 10, when is the earliest the successor can start?

Answer: Day 13

With a 3-day lag on a Finish-to-Start relationship, the successor starts 3 days after the predecessor finishes: day 10 + 3 = day 13.

A project manager wants to overlap two sequential activities to compress the schedule. Which technique does this represent?

Answer: Fast tracking

Fast tracking overlaps activities that were originally planned sequentially, introducing potential rework risk.

Which float value measures the amount of time an activity can be delayed without delaying the project finish date?

Answer: Total float

Total float (also called slack) measures the delay allowed before impacting the project's overall completion date.

An activity on the critical path shows negative float of -3 days. What does this indicate?

Answer: The project cannot finish on time without corrective action

Negative float means the current schedule will not meet the imposed deadline without compression or scope changes.

In CPM network analysis, what is the purpose of the backward pass calculation?

Answer: To calculate Late Start and Late Finish dates

The backward pass starts from the project end date and works backward to determine the Late Start and Late Finish for each activity.

A Start-to-Start dependency with a 2-day lead means the successor activity:

Answer: Can start 2 days before the predecessor starts

Lead on a Start-to-Start relationship allows the successor to begin before the predecessor, in this case 2 days before the predecessor starts.

On a CPM network diagram, what does an arrow connecting two nodes represent in Activity-on-Arrow (AOA) notation?

Answer: An activity or task

In AOA notation, arrows represent activities while nodes (circles) represent events or milestones.