CITB Project Management and Planning 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: In construction project scheduling, what does the term 'float' (or slack) refer to?
- The amount of time an activity can be delayed without delaying the project completion (Correct answer)
- The extra budget allocated for unforeseen costs
- The number of workers available beyond the minimum required
- The tolerance allowed in material measurements
Correct answer: The amount of time an activity can be delayed without delaying the project completion
Float is the amount of time a non-critical activity can be delayed without affecting the overall project end date.
Question 2: A construction project manager receives a change order request from the client. What should be the FIRST step?
- Begin the additional work immediately to avoid delays
- Assess the impact on cost, schedule, and scope before approving (Correct answer)
- Reject the change to protect the original contract
- Hire additional subcontractors to absorb the extra work
Correct answer: Assess the impact on cost, schedule, and scope before approving
Before approving any change order, the project manager must evaluate its impact on cost, timeline, and scope to maintain project control.
Question 3: Which scheduling technique links tasks so that a successor cannot start until its predecessor is complete?
- Resource leveling
- Finish-to-Start dependency (Correct answer)
- Fast tracking
- Crashing
Correct answer: Finish-to-Start dependency
A Finish-to-Start dependency means the successor activity cannot begin until the predecessor activity has finished.
Question 4: What is the primary purpose of a construction project brief?
- To outline the contractor's payment schedule
- To define the client's requirements, objectives, and constraints for the project (Correct answer)
- To list all health and safety regulations applicable to the site
- To specify the procurement method for materials
Correct answer: To define the client's requirements, objectives, and constraints for the project
The project brief captures what the client wants to achieve, serving as the foundation for all subsequent design and planning decisions.
Question 5: When using the Earned Value Management (EVM) method, what does a Cost Performance Index (CPI) of less than 1.0 indicate?
- The project is ahead of schedule
- The project is under budget
- The project is over budget for the work completed (Correct answer)
- The project scope has increased
Correct answer: The project is over budget for the work completed
A CPI below 1.0 means more money has been spent than the budgeted value of work actually accomplished, indicating cost overrun.
Question 6: Which document formally authorizes a construction project and grants the project manager authority to apply resources?
- Project execution plan
- Project charter (Correct answer)
- Work breakdown structure
- Scope statement
Correct answer: Project charter
The project charter is the formal document that authorizes the project and grants the project manager the authority to use organizational resources.
Question 7: What does 'resource leveling' aim to achieve in a construction project schedule?
- Eliminating all float from the schedule
- Balancing resource demand to avoid over-allocation or underutilization (Correct answer)
- Reducing the total project cost by using fewer materials
- Ensuring all tasks are completed on the critical path
Correct answer: Balancing resource demand to avoid over-allocation or underutilization
Resource leveling adjusts task timing to smooth out peaks and valleys in resource demand, preventing over-allocation of workers or equipment.
CITB Project Management and Planning 2
In construction project scheduling, what does the term 'float' (or slack) refer to?