Project Planning & Scheduling Flashcards

In a project network diagram, which path determines the minimum project duration?

Answer: The longest path through all activities

The critical path is the longest sequence of dependent activities and sets the earliest possible project completion date.

What does 'total float' represent in network scheduling?

Answer: The amount of time an activity can be delayed without delaying the project end date

Total float is the maximum time an activity can be delayed without pushing the overall project finish date.

A Finish-to-Start (FS) dependency with a lag of 3 days means:

Answer: Activity B cannot start until 3 days after Activity A finishes

A positive lag on an FS relationship adds a mandatory waiting period between the predecessor finishing and the successor starting.

During DP project planning, a vessel mobilization activity has Early Start day 5 and Late Start day 9. What is its total float?

Answer: 4 days

Total float equals Late Start minus Early Start (or Late Finish minus Early Finish), so 9 − 5 = 4 days.

Which dependency type allows a successor activity to begin before its predecessor is complete?

Answer: Finish-to-Start (FS) with negative lag (lead)

A negative lag (lead) on an FS relationship allows the successor to start before the predecessor finishes, effectively overlapping activities.

In Precedence Diagramming Method (PDM), activities are represented by:

Answer: Boxes (nodes) with arrows showing dependencies

PDM (Activity-on-Node) places each activity in a node/box, with arrows between nodes indicating dependency relationships.

Free float differs from total float in that free float measures how long an activity can be delayed without affecting:

Answer: The early start of any immediate successor

Free float is the delay an activity can absorb without pushing back the earliest start of any of its direct successors.