Time Management Flashcards

Which scheduling technique uses probabilistic time estimates to account for uncertainty in activity durations?

Answer: Program Evaluation and Review Technique (PERT)

PERT uses three-point estimates (optimistic, most likely, pessimistic) to calculate expected durations and account for schedule uncertainty.

A construction project has a Schedule Performance Index (SPI) of 0.85. What does this indicate?

Answer: The project is 15% behind schedule

An SPI less than 1.0 means the project is behind schedule, with 0.85 indicating work is progressing at only 85% of the planned rate.

What is the primary purpose of a Look-Ahead Schedule in construction management?

Answer: To plan work 2-6 weeks in advance and ensure resource readiness

A Look-Ahead Schedule (typically 3-6 weeks) bridges the master schedule and daily work plans by identifying upcoming constraints and confirming resource availability.

When predecessor activity B cannot start until successor activity A is 50% complete, this relationship is called:

Answer: Start-to-Start with lag

A Start-to-Start with 50% lag means B can start only after A has progressed 50%, representing an overlapping dependency.

Which of the following best describes 'float' in a construction schedule?

Answer: The time an activity can be delayed without delaying the project completion

Float (or slack) is the amount of time an activity can slip without extending the overall project completion date.

A construction manager applies schedule compression by adding more workers to critical path activities. This technique is known as:

Answer: Crashing

Crashing reduces activity durations by adding resources (workers, equipment), typically at an increased cost.

In the Last Planner System, 'Percent Plan Complete' (PPC) is used to measure:

Answer: The reliability of weekly work planning commitments

PPC measures how many planned tasks were actually completed as promised, reflecting planning reliability and workflow predictability.