PMI-SP Duration Estimating 4

Question 1

A project has an activity with a most optimistic duration of 6 days, most likely of 10 days, and most pessimistic of 14 days. What is the standard deviation of this activity's duration?

Accepted Answer

1.33 days

Answer

Standard deviation = (P - O) / 6 = (14 - 6) / 6 = 8 / 6 ≈ 1.33 days.

Question 2

Which tool in the Estimate Activity Durations process helps account for the effect of risks on overall project schedule duration?

Accepted Answer

Reserve analysis

Answer

Reserve analysis adds contingency reserves to account for schedule risks and buffer the project against identified uncertainties.

Question 3

A scheduling professional notes that resource productivity varies significantly across a global team due to varying skill levels. Which technique BEST handles this variability in duration estimates?

Accepted Answer

Three-point estimating using optimistic, likely, and pessimistic values

Answer

Three-point estimating captures variability through optimistic, most likely, and pessimistic estimates, making it ideal for handling skill-level differences.

Question 4

A project manager is updating duration estimates after scope changes in the middle of the project. Which estimating approach is MOST appropriate at this stage when detailed information is now available?

Accepted Answer

Bottom-up estimating

Answer

Bottom-up estimating is most appropriate when detailed scope information is available, as it builds estimates from individual work packages upward.

Question 5

Which of the following BEST describes the relationship between resource units and activity duration?

Accepted Answer

Adding resources can reduce duration, but not always linearly due to coordination overhead

Answer

Adding more resources can reduce duration, but coordination overhead and diminishing returns mean the reduction is rarely proportional.

(PMI-SP) PMI Scheduling Professional Practice Test

(PMI-SP) PMI Scheduling Professional Practice Test

PMI-SP Duration Estimating 4