Section 4: Time Management
QUESTION 191
You created the logic diagram for your project based on the chart when all of a sudden the person completing activity C says that you must plan for a lag of two weeks after the completion of the activity before starting the next activity. Which of the following would be the FIRST thing to do?
A. See if the duration of activity H can be shortened.
B. Nothing, because the two weeks could be assigned to activity E.
C. Make Start, A, D, G, End the critical path in order to save time.
D. Calculate project float after the insertion of the lag.
Answer: D
Explanation:
One cannot simply choose to take a different path through a network or logic diagram (choice C) as the critical path is found by calculating the longest path. Adding a lag will extend a path in the diagram (choice B).
Though choice A could be done, why jump to such action if there is project float available that is larger than the added lag? Therefore, the first thing to do is choice D.
Source: PMP® Exam Prep Page: 197
QUESTION 192
Which of the following BEST describes what a network diagram is used for when the work is being completed?
A. To track the flow of information in a system, looking at all the interfaces
B. To determine if the evaluation criteria should be created before the contract statement of work is written
C. To see if the cost of a change exceeds the project cost baseline
D. To evaluate the reward system’s effectiveness
Answer: B
Explanation:
Many people forget to make use of the tools of project management planning while the project work is ongoing. Do not make that mistake. A network diagram does help you track flow, but it should be the flow of the work, not information (choice A). The network diagram has nothing to do with cost (choice C) or reward systems (choice D). The network diagram helps you know when work on the project should be done and in what order.
Source: PMP® Exam Prep Page: 182
QUESTION 193
Using the chart, in order to handle some resource changes on your project, activity H is going to be done concurrently with activity G instead of after it. What impact will this have on the project?
A. It will cause the project to be completed four time periods sooner.
B. It will cause a decrease in project risk.
C. It will have no effect on the critical path.
D. It will affect activity F.
Answer: C
Explanation:
Concurrent relates to fast tracking. Since activity G is the only one of these two activities on the critical path, completing the two in parallel will have no effect on the critical path.
Source: PMP® Exam Prep Page: 196 – 204
QUESTION 194
What is a GERT chart?
A. A bar chart showing project activities and their schedule
B. A chart showing the upper and lower control limits
C. A chart showing causes of issues
D. A chart showing loops between activities
Answer: D
Explanation:
Note the use of the term “chart” here. Normally people think of GERT as a diagram. The exam sometimes uses strange words almost as if it were intending to throw you off. Choice A is also called a Gantt chart. Choice B is a control chart, choice C is a cause and effect diagram.
Source: PMP® Exam Prep Page: 184
QUESTION 195
A project manager gathered data to perform earned value calculations on his project. He used the results to report to management that the project is under budget and on schedule. After reporting this information, he discovered that the base figures he used in the calculations were incorrect, as they came from an old copy of the project file which had not been updated. What should he do now?
A. He should contact management to make them aware of the error, give the correct information, and explain how he made the mistake.
B. He should contact management and tell them to expect some changes in the next reporting period, and that things are starting to look gloomy.
C. He should use the correct figures to calculate the information when it is time for the next report and ignore the fact the he reported incorrect information.
D. He should tell management that the data he received from team members was incorrect and thus the report was not accurate.
Answer: A
Explanation:
Choice B is not the truth of the matter. Although things may be gloomy, this is not a new development, since the report was based on old data. Choice C is not right since he is not admitting his mistake, the ethical thing to do, and choice D is blaming someone else for his own error. Choice A is correct since the ethical thing to do is to acknowledge and take responsibility for the error.
Source: PMP® Exam Prep Page: 491
QUESTION 196
What does the critical chain method focus on?
A. Determining early and late start and finish dates
B. Calculating multiple project durations with different sets of assumptions
C. Managing remaining buffer durations against the remaining durations of task chains
D. Scheduling resources that are overallocated or are only available at certain times
Answer: C
Explanation:
Choice A refers to the critical path method. Choice B describes what-if analysis, and choice D deals with resource leveling. Choice C is the correct response.
Source: PMP® Exam Prep Page: 212