CFB Project Planning & Scheduling 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A field builder discovers that a subcontractor's task has a total float of zero days. What does this indicate?
- The task is ahead of schedule
- The task is on the critical path (Correct answer)
- The task has extra resources assigned
- The task can be delayed without impact
Correct answer: The task is on the critical path
Zero total float means any delay to that task will directly delay the project completion date, placing it on the critical path.
Question 2: When preparing a resource-loaded schedule, what is the PRIMARY purpose of resource leveling?
- To add more workers to speed up tasks
- To eliminate overtime costs entirely
- To smooth resource demand and avoid over-allocation peaks (Correct answer)
- To identify the critical path more clearly
Correct answer: To smooth resource demand and avoid over-allocation peaks
Resource leveling redistributes work to eliminate over-allocation by shifting non-critical tasks within their float, smoothing the demand curve.
Question 3: A project schedule baseline is BEST described as:
- The earliest possible finish date for the project
- The approved version of the schedule used to measure performance (Correct answer)
- A rough estimate created before detailed planning
- The schedule updated weekly with actual progress
Correct answer: The approved version of the schedule used to measure performance
The schedule baseline is the formally approved plan against which actual performance is measured throughout project execution.
Question 4: Which scheduling technique uses three time estimates—optimistic, pessimistic, and most likely—to account for uncertainty?
- Critical Path Method (CPM)
- Program Evaluation and Review Technique (PERT) (Correct answer)
- Gantt Chart method
- Precedence Diagramming Method (PDM)
Correct answer: Program Evaluation and Review Technique (PERT)
PERT uses three-point estimates and weighted averages to calculate expected activity durations under uncertainty.
Question 5: In a field construction project, a 'look-ahead schedule' typically covers what time horizon?
- The entire project duration
- The next 3 to 6 weeks of planned work (Correct answer)
- Only the current day's activities
- The next fiscal quarter
Correct answer: The next 3 to 6 weeks of planned work
Look-ahead schedules (typically 3–6 weeks) focus near-term crews, materials, and equipment needs to keep field work on track.
Question 6: What does the term 'lag' represent in a project schedule network diagram?
- A negative float value on a critical activity
- A mandatory waiting period between the start of a predecessor and successor (Correct answer)
- The total unused time available on a non-critical path
- A buffer added at the end of the project
Correct answer: A mandatory waiting period between the start of a predecessor and successor
Lag is a directed delay applied to a dependency, requiring a specific amount of time to pass before the successor activity can begin.
Question 7: A field builder is asked to 'fast-track' a project. Which action best describes this strategy?
- Adding more crews to finish each individual task faster
- Overlapping phases that were originally planned in sequence (Correct answer)
- Reducing the project scope to meet the deadline
- Replacing subcontractors with self-perform crews
Correct answer: Overlapping phases that were originally planned in sequence
Fast-tracking overlaps sequential project phases or activities in parallel, compressing the schedule at the cost of increased risk.
CFB Project Planning & Scheduling 2
A field builder discovers that a subcontractor's task has a total float of zero days.
What does this indicate?