CST Time Management & Resource Allocation 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: In a precedence diagramming method (PDM) schedule, a finish-to-start relationship with a lag of 5 days means:
- The successor starts 5 days before the predecessor finishes
- The successor cannot start until 5 days after the predecessor finishes (Correct answer)
- The predecessor and successor must overlap by 5 days
- The successor finishes 5 days before the predecessor
Correct answer: The successor cannot start until 5 days after the predecessor finishes
An FS lag introduces a waiting period; the successor activity must wait the specified lag duration after its predecessor completes.
Question 2: Which scheduling concept refers to the maximum amount of time a project can be delayed beyond its planned end date before it impacts a contractual or external deadline?
- Total float
- Free float
- Project float (Correct answer)
- Secondary float
Correct answer: Project float
Project float (or schedule float) measures slack between the calculated project end and an imposed finish constraint or contract deadline.
Question 3: A CST is building a resource-loaded schedule and notices that a key engineer is allocated to three simultaneous critical-path tasks. The BEST immediate action is to:
- Remove all three tasks from the critical path
- Analyze which tasks can use alternate resources or be re-sequenced (Correct answer)
- Extend the project deadline to accommodate the overallocation
- Increase the engineer's daily working hours to 16 hours
Correct answer: Analyze which tasks can use alternate resources or be re-sequenced
The best practice is to evaluate resource substitution or re-sequencing before accepting schedule extension or unrealistic overtime.
Question 4: What does a Gantt chart's baseline bar compared to the current schedule bar indicate when the current bar extends beyond the baseline?
- The activity is ahead of schedule
- The activity is behind schedule (Correct answer)
- The activity has negative float
- The activity has been removed from scope
Correct answer: The activity is behind schedule
When the current schedule bar extends past the baseline bar, the activity is taking longer than originally planned, indicating a delay.
Question 5: The Parkinson's Law principle, relevant to time management in scheduling, states that:
- Work expands to fill the time available for its completion (Correct answer)
- Resources are always insufficient for the work assigned
- Tasks take exactly as long as originally estimated
- Critical path activities always experience the most delays
Correct answer: Work expands to fill the time available for its completion
Parkinson's Law warns schedulers that overly generous time allowances tend to be fully consumed regardless of actual work content.
Question 6: When using the Program Evaluation and Review Technique (PERT), which formula calculates the expected duration of an activity?
- (O + M + P) / 3
- (O + 4M + P) / 6 (Correct answer)
- (O + 2M + P) / 4
- (O + 3M + P) / 5
Correct answer: (O + 4M + P) / 6
The PERT formula (Optimistic + 4×Most Likely + Pessimistic) / 6 weights the most likely estimate four times to give a weighted average.
Question 7: Which type of schedule reserve is allocated within individual activity durations and controlled by the project team?
- Management reserve
- Contingency reserve (Correct answer)
- Schedule buffer
- Risk reserve
Correct answer: Contingency reserve
Contingency reserve is included in the project baseline and managed by the project team to address identified schedule risks.
CST Time Management & Resource Allocation 3
In a precedence diagramming method (PDM) schedule, a finish-to-start relationship with a lag of 5 days means: