Project Planning & Scheduling Flashcards

In PERT (Program Evaluation and Review Technique), the expected time formula uses optimistic (O), pessimistic (P), and most likely (M) estimates. The formula is:

Answer: (O + 4M + P) / 6

The PERT weighted average formula is (O + 4M + P) / 6, giving the most likely estimate four times the weight.

A drafting project has a baseline schedule. After the client requests additional drawing revisions, the project manager issues a revised schedule. What document authorizes the scope change?

Answer: A change order or change request

A change order formally documents, authorizes, and tracks scope changes that affect the schedule, cost, or deliverables.

Which scheduling format best shows the relationship between tasks and calendar dates while also indicating task duration as a bar?

Answer: Gantt chart

Gantt charts display tasks as horizontal bars along a timeline, clearly showing start dates, durations, and end dates.

A project schedule baseline serves primarily as:

Answer: The approved schedule used to measure and report performance

The schedule baseline is the approved version of the project schedule used as the reference for tracking variance.

When planning a drafting project, 'predecessor' tasks are those that:

Answer: Must be completed before the current task can begin

A predecessor task must be completed (or reach a defined state) before the successor task can start.

Schedule compression by adding more resources (such as drafters) to critical path tasks to shorten their duration is called:

Answer: Crashing

Crashing adds resources to critical path tasks to reduce duration, typically increasing cost but shortening the schedule.

In a project schedule, a task on the critical path has total float of:

Answer: Exactly zero

Tasks on the critical path have zero total float, meaning any delay to them directly delays the project end date.