PM Test Center

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.