PMI-SP Schedule Development & Management 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A scheduler needs to shorten the schedule without adding resources. Which approach should be considered first?
- Crashing critical path activities
- Fast tracking activities currently done in sequence (Correct answer)
- Removing low-priority activities from scope
- Reducing quality requirements on deliverables
Correct answer: Fast tracking activities currently done in sequence
Fast tracking overlaps activities that were planned in sequence, shortening the schedule without adding cost.
Question 2: In the context of schedule management, what is the purpose of a schedule baseline?
- To track actual start and finish dates
- To serve as the approved version against which performance is measured (Correct answer)
- To document all approved schedule changes
- To communicate the schedule to stakeholders
Correct 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.
Question 3: 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?
- 12 days (Correct answer)
- 8 days
- 20 days
- 10 days
Correct 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.
Question 4: Which schedule development input captures how the schedule will be managed, including update frequency and control thresholds?
- Project charter
- Schedule management plan (Correct answer)
- Risk register
- Scope baseline
Correct answer: Schedule management plan
The schedule management plan defines rules for developing, monitoring, and controlling the project schedule.
Question 5: A PMI-SP practitioner applies resource smoothing to a project. Which constraint is maintained?
- Resource availability limits
- Activity durations
- The project end date (Correct answer)
- Predecessor-successor relationships
Correct answer: The project end date
Resource smoothing adjusts activities within their float without extending the project end date, unlike resource leveling.
Question 6: What does Schedule Performance Index (SPI) less than 1.0 indicate?
- The project is ahead of schedule
- The project is under budget
- The project is behind schedule (Correct answer)
- Resources are being used efficiently
Correct 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.
Question 7: A scheduler uses the three-point estimating technique. Activity durations are Optimistic=4, Most Likely=7, Pessimistic=16. What is the PERT expected duration?
- 9 days
- 7.5 days
- 8 days (Correct answer)
- 6 days
Correct answer: 8 days
PERT formula: (O + 4M + P) / 6 = (4 + 28 + 16) / 6 = 48 / 6 = 8 days.
PMI-SP Schedule Development & Management 3
A scheduler needs to shorten the schedule without adding resources.
Which approach should be considered first?