CRC Project Planning & Scheduling 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which scheduling technique uses arrows to represent activities and nodes to represent events?
- Critical Path Method (CPM)
- Arrow Diagramming Method (ADM) (Correct answer)
- Precedence Diagramming Method (PDM)
- Program Evaluation Review Technique (PERT)
Correct answer: Arrow Diagramming Method (ADM)
Arrow Diagramming Method (ADM) uses arrows for activities and nodes for events, also called Activity-on-Arrow (AOA).
Question 2: A residential contractor discovers soil conditions require deeper footings than planned. Which document should be issued first?
- Change order (Correct answer)
- RFI (Request for Information)
- Punch list
- Submittal
Correct answer: Change order
A change order formally documents and authorizes scope, cost, and schedule changes when unforeseen conditions alter the original plan.
Question 3: What is the primary purpose of a baseline schedule in residential construction?
- To list all subcontractors on the project
- To serve as the original approved plan against which progress is measured (Correct answer)
- To document material delivery dates only
- To satisfy local permit office requirements
Correct answer: To serve as the original approved plan against which progress is measured
The baseline schedule is the approved original plan used to measure project performance and identify variances.
Question 4: A homeowner requests an addition that was not in the original contract. How should a contractor handle this?
- Proceed immediately to maintain client goodwill
- Issue a written change order before starting work (Correct answer)
- Note it in the job log and address later
- Deny the request to avoid scope creep
Correct answer: Issue a written change order before starting work
A written change order must be executed before additional work begins to protect both the contractor and owner legally and financially.
Question 5: In a Gantt chart, what do overlapping bars typically indicate?
- Activities that cannot start until a prior one finishes
- Tasks that are behind schedule
- Activities occurring simultaneously (parallel work) (Correct answer)
- Budget overruns on those tasks
Correct answer: Activities occurring simultaneously (parallel work)
Overlapping bars on a Gantt chart show that two or more tasks are scheduled to occur at the same time.
Question 6: Which resource leveling strategy extends the project duration to avoid resource conflicts?
- Crashing
- Fast-tracking
- Resource smoothing
- Resource leveling (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Resource leveling
Resource leveling adjusts the schedule, often extending the end date, to resolve over-allocation of resources.
Question 7: A framing crew finishes 3 days early. Which scheduling concept describes the time saved that can benefit successor tasks?
- Total float
- Free float (Correct answer)
- Negative lag
- Lead time
Correct answer: Free float
Free float is the amount of time an activity can be delayed without delaying its immediate successor activities.
CRC Project Planning & Scheduling 2
Which scheduling technique uses arrows to represent activities and nodes to represent events?