Schedule Development & Management Flashcards

A scheduler needs to shorten the schedule without adding resources. Which approach should be considered first?

Answer: Fast tracking activities currently done in sequence

Fast tracking overlaps activities that were planned in sequence, shortening the schedule without adding cost.

In the context of schedule management, what is the purpose of a schedule baseline?

Answer: To serve as the approved version against which performance is measured

The schedule baseline is the approved version of the schedule used as a reference point for measuring performance.

A project has three activities: A (5 days), B (3 days), C (4 days), all in sequence. A parallel path D takes 8 days. What is the project duration?

Answer: 12 days

The sequential path A+B+C = 12 days, which is longer than path D at 8 days, making the project duration 12 days.

Which schedule development input captures how the schedule will be managed, including update frequency and control thresholds?

Answer: Schedule management plan

The schedule management plan defines rules for developing, monitoring, and controlling the project schedule.

A PMI-SP practitioner applies resource smoothing to a project. Which constraint is maintained?

Answer: The project end date

Resource smoothing adjusts activities within their float without extending the project end date, unlike resource leveling.

What does Schedule Performance Index (SPI) less than 1.0 indicate?

Answer: The project is behind schedule

An SPI below 1.0 means earned value is less than planned value, indicating the project is behind schedule.

A scheduler uses the three-point estimating technique. Activity durations are Optimistic=4, Most Likely=7, Pessimistic=16. What is the PERT expected duration?

Answer: 8 days

PERT formula: (O + 4M + P) / 6 = (4 + 28 + 16) / 6 = 48 / 6 = 8 days.