PM Test Center

__________ is an activity sequencing technique that uses arrows to represent activities.

A. Critical chain method
B. Activity-on-Arrow (AOA)
C. Activity-on-Node (AON)
D. Precedence Diagramming Method (PDM)

Answer: B. Activity-on-Arrow (AOA)
In an AOA, activities are arrows and nodes are used to connect them.

__________ is an activity sequencing technique that uses nodes to represent activities.

A. Project management software
B. Activity-on-Arrow (AOA)
C. Precedence Diagramming Method (PDM)
D. Critical chain method

Answer: C. Precedence Diagramming Method (PDM)
In a PDM, also known as AON, activities are nodes and arrows are used to show relationships.

For your new software project, you decide you need to use a Graphical Evaluation and Review Technique (GERT) network diagram. When asked by an intern why you chose to use GERT, you explain that one of the main advantages is that you can:

A. Be more accurate than using a PERT
B. Use hammock activities
C. Assign multiple resources
D. Create loops between tasks

Answer: D. Create loops between tasks
GERT allows for conditions or loops between tasks. For projects with iterative tasks, GERT will often tell a better story.

Resource leveling typically results in a:

A. Project cost overrun
B. Project cost savings
C. Project duration longer than the baseline
D. Project duration shorter than the baseline

Answer: C. Project duration longer than the baseline
When resource leveling, work scheduled for resources that are over-allocated will be spread over a longer period of time. As a result, this smoothing out process will usually cause the project to take longer.

While reviewing your weekly report, you notice that two of your resources are over-allocated. One way to solve this is to:

A. Level resources
B. Use PERT
C. Add lag
D. Crash the schedule

Answer: A. Level resources
Of the choices, only leveling resources is the only method that will relieve over-allocated resources. Leveling will take the extra work and move it to a different date so the resources will not exceed their maximum per day.

You plan on using a project management information system (PMIS) to develop a Gantt chart. One drawback of using a Gantt chart is:

A. Finish dates for each project cannot be manually set
B. WBS outline cannot be represented
C. Relationships between tasks are not displayed
D. Only one resource can be assigned to a task

Answer: C. Relationships between tasks are not displayed
Although some PMIS tools do show relationships between tasks (e.g. Microsoft Project), traditionally, Gantt charts do not display them.

Dwight’s project is behind schedule. As a result, he is looking to reduce the duration of his project to bring it back on track. If cost is not a factor, what tactic should he use?

A. Fast-track
B. Critical path
C. PERT
D. Crash

Answer: D. Crash
Crashing is one method to reduce the project duration. This is done by adding resources which leads to an increase in costs.

Dwight’s project is behind schedule. As a result, he is looking to reduce the duration of his project to bring it back on track. Dwight is also tasked with keeping costs as low as possible to reduce the risk of an overrun. What tactic should he use?

A. Fast-track
B. Critical path
C. PERT
D. Crash

Answer: A. Fast-track
Fast-tracking is one method to reduce the project duration. This is done by overlapping tasks (i.e. adding lead time). Although this does not typically increase cost, it does increase risk.

What is the typical duration of a milestone?

A. 0
B. 1
C. Milestone durations depend on the total duration of the project
D. Milestone durations depend on each predecessor

Answer: A. 0
Milestones typically have a duration of 0 since they do not require effort to complete. Effort is usually spent on work leading up to them. They are usually used to track time and cost targets. Milestones may also have durations other than zero but it is not the norm.

You just inherited a project from Laura, who is on maternity leave. The project schedule includes a task that was estimated for 10 days but after speaking to the person assigned to it, you learn that the task will likely increase to a total of 15 days. You decide that you only need to notify the sponsor if this change will delay the project end date. Which of the following indicators should you use to determine whether or not you need to notify the sponsor?

A. Free float
B. Lag
C. Total float
D. Lead

Answer: C. Total float
Total float, aka total slack, is the amount of time a task can be delayed without delaying the project end date. Each task has its own total float. Tasks with a total float of zero are critical tasks, which means they cannot be delayed at all. The string of critical tasks make the the critical path on the project. In this example, as long as the total float is 5 or more (5 more days than the original 10 days), then you do not need to notify the sponsor. Free float, aka free slack, on the other hand, is the amount of time a task can be delayed without delaying and of its successors. Lag and lead are manually entered to adjust relationships.