Project Management Critical Path Method

Question 1

In CPM, what does 'free float' (free slack) represent?

Accepted Answer

The amount of time an activity can be delayed without delaying any successor activity's early start

Answer

Free float is the amount of time an activity can be delayed without affecting the early start of any immediate successor.

Question 2

A project network has Activity A (3 days) → Activity C (4 days) and Activity B (5 days) → Activity C. What is the earliest Activity C can start if both A and B start on Day 1?

Accepted Answer

Day 6

Answer

Activity C can start only after both predecessors finish: A ends Day 4, B ends Day 6, so C starts Day 6 (using 0-based indexing where Day 1 = start).

Question 3

Which scheduling technique uses a single time estimate per activity, unlike PERT which uses three?

Accepted Answer

Critical Path Method (CPM)

Answer

CPM uses a single deterministic time estimate per activity, while PERT uses optimistic, most likely, and pessimistic estimates.

Question 4

If the project completion date is moved earlier by management, what is the effect on the critical path?

Accepted Answer

Some previously non-critical activities may become critical

Answer

Compressing the required end date reduces total float across the network, potentially making previously non-critical paths critical.

Question 5

What is 'negative float' in a project schedule?

Accepted Answer

An indicator that the project cannot be completed by the required date without intervention

Answer

Negative float means an activity's late finish is earlier than its early finish, indicating the schedule is infeasible without corrective action.

Project Management Practice Test

Project Management Practice Test

Project Management Critical Path Method