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File: ch08, Chapter 8: Scheduling
Updated: Dwayne Whitten, Texas A&M University
Multiple Choice
1. With the exception of Gantt charts, the most common approach to project scheduling
is the use of network techniques such as ___________.
a) PERT and CPM
b) Dummy activities
c) crashing and slacking
d) Loopbacks and backgrounds
Ans: a
Response: Refer to section 8.2, Network Techniques: Pert and CPM.
Level: easy
2. In the AOA network, dotted-line arrows depict
a) Activities
b) Events
c) Logical dependencies
d) Dummy activities
Ans: d
Response: Refer to Figure 8-8.
Level: easy
3. The project’s master schedule contains only major tasks and is oriented toward
_________.
a) Monitoring detailed progress of work
b) Overall project management rather than precise control of detailed work
c) Overall project management, including precise control of detailed work
d) Detailed resource management
Ans: b
Response: Refer to section 8.2, Gantt charts and Microsoft Project 2002.
Level: easy
4. Task F has duration of 12 days and an early start date of 30 days. Based on the given
data, determine the early finish date for task F.
a) 12 days
b) 18 days
c) 30 days
d) 42 days
Ans: d
Response: Refer to section 8.2, critical path and time.
Level: easy
5. The critical time of the network is the ________ time in which the entire network can
be completed
a) shortest
b) most likely
c) median
d) longest
Ans: a
Response: Refer to section 8.2, critical path and time
Level: advanced
6. A schedule is the conversion of a __________ into an operating timetable.
a) rough draft
b) GANTT chart
c) PERT diagram
d) project action plan
Ans: d
Response: Refer to section 8.1
Level: easy
7. It is good practice to create a schedule for every _________ in the WBS that will cover
the work packages.
a) minor task level
b) PERT diagram
c) major task level
d) task
Ans: c
Response: Refer to section 8.1
Level: easy
8. A(n) _________ is the result of completing one or more activities.
a) event
b) task
c) path
d) network
Ans: a
Response: Refer to section 8.2 terminology
Level:
Short Answer
9. The authors recommend preparing a schedule for each ________ in the WBS.
Ans: major task level.
Response: Refer to section 8.1.
Level: easy
10. The calculation of the standard deviation for the ________ distribution is based on
the assumption that the distribution’s range is approximately equal to six standard
deviations.
Ans: beta.
Response: Refer to section 8.2, calculating activity times.
Level: intermediate
11. While performing a forward pass calculation to determine the critical path of a
network when multiple paths converge into a successor activity, the value carried forward
is the _________________.
Ans: largest early finish.
Response: Refer to section 8.2, critical path and time.
Level: easy
12. While performing a backward pass calculation for a network when multiple paths
converge into a predecessor activity, the value carried backward is the __________.
Ans: smallest late start.
Response: Refer to section 8.2, critical path and time, slack.
Level: easy
13. When determining the chance of meeting a schedule deadline, project managers can
use a formula to calculate ______, which is the probability of completing the project on
time.
a) Z
b) N
c) X
d) R
Ans: a
Response: Refer to section 8.2, uncertainty of project completion time.
Level: intermediate
True/False
14. The critical activities in real-world projects typically constitute no less than 25% of
the total activities in the project.
Ans: False
Response: Refer to section 8.2. The critical activities in real-world projects typically
constitute less than 10% of the total activities of the project.
Level: easy
15. In a network, an activity that does not have a duration and does not use resources is
referred to as a dummy activity.
Ans: True
Response: Refer to section 8.2, Constructing the Network, AOA Version
Level: easy
16. Most commercially available project management software applications use the
AOA type of network.
Ans: False
Response: Refer to section 8.2, constructing the network AOA version.
Level: easy
17. One of the benefits of a Gantt chart is that they are easy to understand and maintain.
Ans: True
Response: Refer to section 8.2, Gantt Charts and MS Project
Level: easy
18. Milestones typically have a long duration.
Ans: False
Response: Refer to section 8.2. Milestones do not have a duration.
Level: easy
19. Total slack is defined as the time an activity can be delayed without affecting the start
time of any successor activities.
Ans: False
Response: Refer to section 8.2, slack; It is “free slack” which is defined as the time an
activity can be delayed without affecting the start time of any successor activity.
Level: easy
20. Parkinson’s Law indicates that work expands to fill the allotted time.
Ans: True
Response: Refer to section 8.2, calculating activity times
Level: easy