CAM Schedule Management & Control Flashcards

What does 'Estimate to Complete (ETC)' represent in schedule forecasting?

Answer: The expected cost to finish all remaining project work from the current status date

ETC is the expected cost needed to complete all remaining authorized work from the current status date forward.

In EVMS schedule management, what is a 'significant variance threshold'?

Answer: A percentage or dollar value above which schedule deviations require a formal variance analysis report

Significant variance thresholds define the level of schedule deviation that triggers a formal variance analysis and corrective action plan from the CAM.

Which scheduling method uses probability-weighted durations (optimistic, most likely, pessimistic) to estimate activity duration?

Answer: Program Evaluation and Review Technique (PERT)

PERT uses three-point estimates — optimistic, most likely, and pessimistic — to calculate a weighted average duration for project activities.

What is the primary risk of 'schedule gaming' in a control account?

Answer: It distorts the PMB, making earned value metrics unreliable for management decisions

Schedule gaming — such as claiming unearned value — corrupts the PMB and makes EVM metrics misleading, undermining management's ability to detect real problems.

What is 'near-critical path' management important for in a CAM's control account?

Answer: It helps identify activities that could become critical if their float is consumed

Near-critical paths have low float and can easily become critical, so monitoring them helps CAMs proactively manage schedule risk.

In EVMS, what is a 'Baseline Change Request (BCR)' used for?

Answer: To formally document and authorize changes to the Performance Measurement Baseline

A BCR is the formal mechanism for proposing, reviewing, and approving changes to the PMB to ensure baseline integrity is maintained.