Resource Management & Optimization Flashcards

What is the primary purpose of resource leveling in project controls?

Answer: To eliminate resource over-allocations by adjusting activity start and finish dates

Resource leveling resolves over-allocations by shifting activity dates within available float so that resource demand does not exceed supply.

A resource histogram is most commonly used to:

Answer: Visually display resource demand over time compared to available capacity

A resource histogram graphically represents resource demand (bars) versus the availability limit line across the project timeline, making over-allocations immediately visible.

What is the key difference between resource smoothing and resource leveling?

Answer: Resource smoothing uses float to optimize resource usage without extending the project end date, while leveling may extend the project

Resource smoothing optimizes resource usage within the schedule's float constraints and cannot extend the project end date, whereas resource leveling may extend the project end date to resolve conflicts.

In a Resource Breakdown Structure (RBS), resources are typically organized by:

Answer: Category and type, such as labor, equipment, and materials

The RBS hierarchically decomposes resources by category and type, enabling systematic planning, tracking, and reporting of resource usage.

Which scheduling outcome is most likely when resource constraints are applied to a project network?

Answer: A resource-constrained critical path emerges that may differ from the logic-only critical path

Applying resource constraints can shift activities beyond their float, creating a resource-constrained critical path (critical chain) that differs from the unconstrained CPM critical path.

A project controls analyst finds that a key engineer is allocated at 150% capacity for three consecutive weeks. The BEST first step is to:

Answer: Review available float on non-critical activities assigned to that engineer and redistribute work

Reviewing float on non-critical activities allows schedule adjustments that resolve the over-allocation without incurring additional cost or scope changes.

Resource loading is best defined as:

Answer: The assignment and distribution of specific resource quantities to scheduled activities over time

Resource loading assigns specific quantities of resources to activities and distributes that demand across the schedule timeline, forming the basis for histograms and cost forecasts.