PMI-SP Activity Sequencing 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A software development team agrees that testing should always begin before coding is fully complete to save time. Which dependency type and relationship best describes this approach?
- Mandatory FS with lag
- Discretionary SS or FF with lead (Correct answer)
- External FS with no lag
- Mandatory SF dependency
Correct answer: Discretionary SS or FF with lead
Overlapping activities based on team preference uses a discretionary SS or FF relationship with a lead to allow parallel work.
Question 2: In network diagram analysis, a 'burst' node is defined as a node where:
- Multiple predecessor paths merge into one activity
- One activity branches out to multiple successor activities (Correct answer)
- A dummy activity splits into real activities
- The critical path changes direction
Correct answer: One activity branches out to multiple successor activities
A burst node is one where a single activity fans out into multiple successor activities.
Question 3: Which PMI-SP scheduling tool technique involves analyzing the order of activities before assigning durations or resources?
- Resource leveling
- Schedule compression
- Precedence Diagramming Method (Correct answer)
- Monte Carlo simulation
Correct answer: Precedence Diagramming Method
The Precedence Diagramming Method sequences activities using logical relationships before durations are applied.
Question 4: A regulatory requirement mandates that a government approval must be received before site work begins. This is best classified as:
- Discretionary internal dependency
- Mandatory internal dependency
- Discretionary external dependency
- Mandatory external dependency (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Mandatory external dependency
A government regulatory requirement is outside the team's control (external) and cannot be bypassed (mandatory).
Question 5: A project network has a path with activities: A(5d) → B(3d) → C(8d) → D(2d). Another path is A(5d) → E(10d) → D(2d). Which path is critical?
- A→B→C→D with 18 days total (Correct answer)
- A→E→D with 17 days total
- Both paths are critical
- Neither path is critical until float is calculated
Correct answer: A→B→C→D with 18 days total
Path A→B→C→D = 5+3+8+2 = 18 days; path A→E→D = 5+10+2 = 17 days; the 18-day path is the critical path.
Question 6: Which sequencing concept allows Activity B to start before Activity A is complete, effectively reducing total project duration?
- Lag
- Lead (Correct answer)
- Float
- Buffer
Correct answer: Lead
A lead (negative lag) allows a successor activity to begin before its predecessor finishes, overlapping work.
Question 7: An organization uses a Dependency Structure Matrix (DSM) during activity sequencing. What is the primary advantage of DSM over a traditional network diagram?
- It automatically calculates the critical path
- It visualizes complex interdependencies in a compact matrix format (Correct answer)
- It assigns resources to each activity
- It generates Gantt charts automatically
Correct answer: It visualizes complex interdependencies in a compact matrix format
DSM displays complex dependencies between many activities in a compact square matrix, making circular dependencies visible.
PMI-SP Activity Sequencing 4
A software development team agrees that testing should always begin before coding is fully complete to save time.
Which dependency type and relationship best describes this approach?