PMI-SP Activity Sequencing 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A project scheduler is modeling a situation where Activity B cannot start until 5 days after Activity A starts. Which type of dependency relationship best represents this?
- Finish-to-Start with 5-day lag
- Start-to-Start with 5-day lag (Correct answer)
- Finish-to-Finish with 5-day lead
- Start-to-Finish with 5-day lag
Correct answer: Start-to-Start with 5-day lag
A Start-to-Start (SS) relationship with a 5-day lag means B cannot start until 5 days after A starts.
Question 2: Which sequencing method uses arrow diagrams where arrows represent activities and nodes represent events?
- Precedence Diagramming Method (PDM)
- Arrow Diagramming Method (ADM) (Correct answer)
- Critical Path Method (CPM)
- Program Evaluation and Review Technique (PERT)
Correct answer: Arrow Diagramming Method (ADM)
The Arrow Diagramming Method (ADM) uses arrows for activities and nodes for events, unlike PDM which uses nodes for activities.
Question 3: A scheduler discovers that two activities were linked with a mandatory dependency due to a contractual requirement, not a physical one. How should this be classified?
- Discretionary external dependency
- Mandatory external dependency (Correct answer)
- Discretionary internal dependency
- Mandatory internal dependency
Correct answer: Mandatory external dependency
A contractual requirement imposed by an external party creates a mandatory external dependency.
Question 4: In a network diagram, Activity X has three predecessors: A (FS), B (FS+3 days lag), and C (FS-2 days lead). If A finishes on Day 10, B finishes on Day 8, and C finishes on Day 12, when is the earliest X can start?
- Day 10
- Day 11 (Correct answer)
- Day 13
- Day 14
Correct answer: Day 11
X's early start = max(10+0, 8+3, 12-2) = max(10, 11, 10) = Day 11.
Question 5: Which term describes a dependency that originates within the performing organization's own control or project scope?
- External dependency
- Mandatory dependency
- Internal dependency (Correct answer)
- Discretionary dependency
Correct answer: Internal dependency
Internal dependencies are relationships between project activities that are within the control of the project team.
Question 6: A project manager wants to use fast tracking to compress the schedule. Which sequencing technique supports this approach?
- Adding mandatory Finish-to-Start dependencies
- Replacing FS relationships with SS or FF relationships with leads (Correct answer)
- Removing all discretionary dependencies
- Converting internal dependencies to external dependencies
Correct answer: Replacing FS relationships with SS or FF relationships with leads
Fast tracking overlaps activities by replacing FS links with SS/FF relationships or applying leads, allowing parallel work.
Question 7: In the Precedence Diagramming Method, which relationship type is LEAST commonly used in practice?
- Finish-to-Start (FS)
- Start-to-Start (SS)
- Finish-to-Finish (FF)
- Start-to-Finish (SF) (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Start-to-Finish (SF)
Start-to-Finish (SF) is rarely used in practice; it means the successor cannot finish until the predecessor starts.
PMI-SP Activity Sequencing 2
A project scheduler is modeling a situation where Activity B cannot start until 5 days after Activity A starts.
Which type of dependency relationship best represents this?