Project Management Critical Path Method 5

Question 1

What is the primary purpose of performing a 'forward pass' and 'backward pass' in CPM network analysis?

Accepted Answer

To determine the early and late start/finish dates and calculate float for each activity

Answer

The forward pass calculates early start and early finish dates; the backward pass calculates late start and late finish dates, together revealing float for each activity.

Question 2

A project network diagram contains a loop (circular dependency). What is the standard resolution approach?

Accepted Answer

Identify and eliminate the incorrect dependency that creates the loop before proceeding with CPM calculations

Answer

Loops (circular logic) make CPM calculations impossible; the incorrect dependency relationship must be identified and corrected in the network diagram.

Question 3

In a Precedence Diagramming Method (PDM) network, what does a 'Start-to-Start (SS) with lag of 5' relationship mean?

Accepted Answer

The successor activity cannot start until 5 days after the predecessor activity starts

Answer

SS+5 means the successor cannot begin until at least 5 days have elapsed since the predecessor started, allowing some overlap while enforcing a minimum lead time.

Question 4

Which of the following scenarios would most likely cause the critical path to CHANGE during project execution?

Accepted Answer

A non-critical activity experiences a delay greater than its total float

Answer

When a non-critical activity's delay exceeds its total float, it exhausts all schedule flexibility and its path becomes the new (or parallel) critical path.

Question 5

What distinguishes 'interfering float' from 'independent float' in CPM?

Accepted Answer

Independent float can be used without affecting any predecessor or successor's schedule; interfering float affects either predecessors or successors if used

Answer

Independent float is the safest type — using it affects neither predecessors' late dates nor successors' early dates; interfering float, if used, may impact adjacent activities.

Project Management Practice Test

Project Management Practice Test

Project Management Critical Path Method 5