PMI-SP Schedule Development & Management 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: When a project schedule shows negative float on the critical path, the scheduler should:
- Immediately notify the project sponsor and close the project
- Analyze options to compress the schedule or revise constraints (Correct answer)
- Remove all lags from the network
- Convert all dependencies to Finish-to-Start relationships
Correct answer: Analyze options to compress the schedule or revise constraints
Negative float signals schedule overrun and requires compression techniques or constraint revision to recover.
Question 2: Which type of dependency represents a legal, regulatory, or contractual requirement that cannot be changed by the project team?
- Discretionary dependency
- External dependency
- Mandatory dependency (Correct answer)
- Preferential dependency
Correct answer: Mandatory dependency
Mandatory dependencies are inherent to the work or required by contract and cannot be modified by the team.
Question 3: A project scheduler uses a Monte Carlo simulation during schedule risk analysis. The primary output used for decision-making is:
- A single deterministic project end date
- A probability distribution of possible project completion dates (Correct answer)
- The critical path with resource constraints applied
- A list of high-risk activities
Correct answer: A probability distribution of possible project completion dates
Monte Carlo simulation produces a probability distribution showing the likelihood of completing the project by various dates.
Question 4: Free float is best defined as:
- The total time an activity can be delayed without delaying the project
- The time an activity can be delayed without delaying the early start of any successor (Correct answer)
- The buffer added between activities on the critical chain
- The difference between planned and actual durations
Correct answer: The time an activity can be delayed without delaying the early start of any successor
Free float is the amount of time an activity can be delayed without affecting the early start of its immediate successors.
Question 5: In a precedence diagramming method (PDM) network, a Start-to-Start relationship with a lag of 2 days means:
- The predecessor must finish 2 days before the successor starts
- The successor can start 2 days after the predecessor starts (Correct answer)
- Both activities start simultaneously with a 2-day review period
- The successor must finish 2 days after the predecessor starts
Correct answer: The successor can start 2 days after the predecessor starts
A Start-to-Start with lag 2 means the successor may begin 2 days after the predecessor has started.
Question 6: Which scheduling technique is most appropriate when the project requires a fixed end date and work must be scheduled backward from that date?
- Forward pass calculation
- Backward pass calculation (Correct answer)
- Critical chain method
- Resource leveling
Correct answer: Backward pass calculation
The backward pass calculates late start and late finish dates by working backward from the project end date.
Question 7: A schedule variance (SV) of -$15,000 on a project indicates:
- The project has spent $15,000 less than planned
- The project is $15,000 behind the planned work (Correct answer)
- The project will finish $15,000 over budget
- Resources have cost $15,000 more than estimated
Correct answer: The project is $15,000 behind the planned work
SV = EV - PV; a negative SV means earned value is less than planned value, indicating the project is behind schedule.
PMI-SP Schedule Development & Management 4
When a project schedule shows negative float on the critical path, the scheduler should: