CST Resource Loading & Leveling 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which scheduling software feature automatically shifts activity start dates to eliminate resource over-allocations?
- Baseline locking
- Automated resource leveling (Correct answer)
- Critical path recalculation
- Earned value analysis
Correct answer: Automated resource leveling
Automated resource leveling in scheduling tools shifts activities within available float to resolve over-allocations.
Question 2: A project manager notices that leveling has converted a near-critical path into the critical path. What should be the immediate next step?
- Accept the change since leveling is complete
- Re-evaluate float values and update risk exposure for the new critical path (Correct answer)
- Reverse the leveling and accept the over-allocation
- Reduce the resource pool to simplify the schedule
Correct answer: Re-evaluate float values and update risk exposure for the new critical path
When leveling creates a new critical path, float values and associated risks must be reassessed to maintain schedule control.
Question 3: What term describes the process of assigning specific named individuals (rather than generic roles) to project activities?
- Resource identification
- Staff acquisition
- Resource assignment (Correct answer)
- Workforce planning
Correct answer: Resource assignment
Resource assignment maps specific individuals or named resources to scheduled activities in the project plan.
Question 4: On a resource-loaded schedule, what does a 'unit' typically represent when a resource is shown at 50%?
- The resource works at half speed
- The resource dedicates half of their available time to that activity (Correct answer)
- The activity requires half the normal budget
- The resource has 50% float remaining
Correct answer: The resource dedicates half of their available time to that activity
A resource unit of 50% means the individual allocates half their working hours to that specific activity.
Question 5: Which approach to resolving resource conflicts gives priority to activities with the least total float?
- Longest job first
- Shortest job first
- Minimum float priority rule (Correct answer)
- Maximum resource demand rule
Correct answer: Minimum float priority rule
The minimum float priority rule allocates scarce resources first to activities with the least float, protecting schedule risk.
Question 6: What is the effect on a resource histogram when activity durations are extended through resource leveling?
- Peak bars increase in height
- Peaks flatten and spread over a longer period (Correct answer)
- Total resource hours decrease
- The histogram shape remains unchanged
Correct answer: Peaks flatten and spread over a longer period
Extending durations spreads the same total work over more time periods, flattening peaks in the histogram.
Question 7: A project scheduler is told to keep the project end date fixed but reduce peak resource usage by 20%. Which technique is most appropriate?
- Resource-limited leveling
- Resource smoothing within float (Correct answer)
- Activity crashing
- Fast-tracking parallel activities
Correct answer: Resource smoothing within float
Resource smoothing shifts non-critical activities within their available float to reduce peaks without moving the end date.
CST Resource Loading & Leveling 3
Which scheduling software feature automatically shifts activity start dates to eliminate resource over-allocations?