10.3 Project planning and scheduling
10.3 Project planning and scheduling:
PROJECT CLASSIFIACATION
Which of the following is NOT a common project classification criterion?
a) Project size
b) Project complexity
c) Project profitability
d) Project duration
Answer: c) Project profitability
Project classification based on size is typically categorized into:
a) Small, medium, and large
b) Simple, moderate, and complex
c) Strategic, tactical, and operational
d) Agile, waterfall, and hybrid
Answer: a) Small, medium, and large
Which project classification criterion focuses on the degree of uncertainty and ambiguity?
a) Project scope
b) Project risk
c) Project complexity
d) Project stakeholders
Answer: c) Project complexity
Projects that involve a high level of technology or require specialized expertise are classified as:
a) Research projects
b) Development projects
c) Process improvement projects
d) Strategic projects
Answer: b) Development projects
Which project classification criterion emphasizes the extent of change and impact on the organization?
a) Project size
b) Project complexity
c) Project scope
d) Project strategic value
Answer: d) Project strategic value
Projects that are repetitive in nature and follow a predefined set of steps are classified as:
a) Routine projects
b) Strategic projects
c) Innovative projects
d) Complex projects
Answer: a) Routine projects
Which project classification criterion is based on the number and type of stakeholders involved?
a) Project size
b) Project complexity
c) Project scope
d) Project stakeholders
Answer: d) Project stakeholders
Projects that have a clear and well-defined scope, objectives, and deliverables are classified as:
a) Simple projects
b) Agile projects
c) Routine projects
d) Complex projects
Answer: a) Simple projects
Project classification based on duration is commonly categorized into:
a) Short-term, medium-term, and long-term
b) Strategic, tactical, and operational
c) Incremental, iterative, and adaptive
d) Simple, moderate, and complex
Answer: a) Short-term, medium-term, and long-term
Projects that involve exploration, invention, or discovery of new concepts are classified as:
a) Routine projects
b) Research projects
c) Strategic projects
d) Process improvement projects
Answer: b) Research projects
PROJECT LIFE CYCLE PHASES
Which of the following is NOT a typical phase in the project life cycle?
a) Initiation
b) Execution
c) Planning
d) Analysis
Answer: d) Analysis
During which phase of the project life cycle are project objectives defined and the project scope established?
a) Initiation
b) Planning
c) Execution
d) Closure
Answer: b) Planning
Which project life cycle phase involves identifying and documenting the project requirements?
a) Execution
b) Closure
c) Initiation
d) Analysis
Answer: c) Initiation
During which phase of the project life cycle is the project team assembled and resources allocated?
a) Planning
b) Closure
c) Execution
d) Initiation
Answer: d) Initiation
The phase in which project deliverables are developed, executed, and monitored is known as:
a) Closure
b) Execution
c) Initiation
d) Planning
Answer: b) Execution
Which project life cycle phase involves verifying and validating the project deliverables?
a) Execution
b) Closure
c) Initiation
d) Planning
Answer: b) Closure
During which phase of the project life cycle are risks identified, analyzed, and mitigated?
a) Planning
b) Closure
c) Execution
d) Initiation
Answer: a) Planning
The phase in which the project is formally accepted, documented, and concluded is called:
a) Execution
b) Closure
c) Initiation
d) Planning
Answer: b) Closure
Which project life cycle phase typically involves creating a project schedule, estimating resources, and developing a budget?
a) Closure
b) Execution
c) Initiation
d) Planning
Answer: d) Planning
During which phase of the project life cycle are project progress and performance measured, and necessary adjustments made?
a) Execution
b) Closure
c) Initiation
d) Planning
Answer: a) Execution
PROJECT PLANNING PROCESS
What is the first step in the project planning process?
a) Defining project objectives
b) Creating a project schedule
c) Identifying project risks
d) Allocating project resources
Answer: a) Defining project objectives
Which of the following is NOT typically included in a project scope statement?
a) Project deliverables
b) Project schedule
c) Project constraints
d) Project boundaries
Answer: b) Project schedule
Which tool or technique is commonly used for identifying project risks during the planning process?
a) Work breakdown structure (WBS)
b) Critical path analysis
c) Risk register
d) Gantt chart
Answer: c) Risk register
During project planning, the process of breaking down the project scope into smaller, manageable components is known as:
a) Work breakdown structure (WBS)
b) Scope verification
c) Quality control
d) Resource allocation
Answer: a) Work breakdown structure (WBS)
Which of the following is NOT typically considered when estimating project costs during the planning process?
a) Labor costs
b) Material costs
c) Project risks
d) Overhead costs
Answer: c) Project risks
What is the purpose of a project network diagram in project planning?
a) To visualize project milestones
b) To identify project stakeholders
c) To estimate project costs
d) To depict project dependencies and sequencing
Answer: d) To depict project dependencies and sequencing
Which document outlines how project activities will be executed, monitored, and controlled?
a) Project charter
b) Project plan
c) Project scope statement
d) Project risk register
Answer: b) Project plan
Which tool or technique is used to determine the most efficient sequence of project activities?
a) Gantt chart
b) Network diagram
c) Critical path analysis
d) Resource histogram
Answer: c) Critical path analysis
During the project planning process, which activity involves assigning specific tasks to project team members?
a) Risk identification
b) Quality assurance
c) Resource allocation
d) Scope verification
Answer: c) Resource allocation
Which of the following is NOT a typical output of the project planning process?
a) Project schedule
b) Project budget
c) Stakeholder analysis
d) Change control plan
Answer: c) Stakeholder analysis
PROJECT SCHEDULING( BAR CHART, CPM, PERT)
Which scheduling technique is best suited for visualizing the project timeline and the duration of each task?
a) Bar chart (Gantt chart)
b) CPM
c) PERT
Answer: a) Bar chart (Gantt chart)
What is the primary purpose of using the Critical Path Method (CPM) in project scheduling?
a) To determine the most efficient sequence of project activities
b) To identify the critical activities that impact the project duration
c) To estimate the project costs and resource requirements
Answer: b) To identify the critical activities that impact the project duration
Which scheduling technique allows for uncertainty in estimating task durations and incorporates a range of estimates?
a) Bar chart (Gantt chart)
b) CPM
c) PERT
Answer: c) PERT
What does the critical path represent in a project schedule?
a) The longest path of dependent tasks that determine the project duration
b) The tasks that require the most resources
c) The tasks that can be delayed without impacting the project deadline
Answer: a) The longest path of dependent tasks that determine the project duration
Which scheduling technique utilizes the concept of early start, early finish, late start, and late finish for each task?
a) Bar chart (Gantt chart)
b) CPM
c) PERT
Answer: b) CPM
Which scheduling technique provides a visual representation of task dependencies and the critical path?
a) Bar chart (Gantt chart)
b) CPM
c) PERT
Answer: a) Bar chart (Gantt chart)
Which scheduling technique is useful when there are multiple paths with different durations and levels of uncertainty?
a) Bar chart (Gantt chart)
b) CPM
c) PERT
Answer: c) PERT
In a PERT chart, what does the term "slack" refer to?
a) The time that can be saved by compressing the project schedule
b) The time that can be delayed without impacting the project deadline
c) The difference between the optimistic and pessimistic estimates for a task
Answer: b) The time that can be delayed without impacting the project deadline
Which scheduling technique is most effective for projects with a high level of complexity and interdependencies?
a) Bar chart (Gantt chart)
b) CPM
c) PERT
Answer: c) PERT
Which scheduling technique is commonly used for construction projects and other projects with well-defined tasks and dependencies?
a) Bar chart (Gantt chart)
b) CPM
c) PERT
Answer: b) CPM
RESOURCE LEVELING AND SMOOTHING
What is the primary goal of resource leveling in project management?
a) To optimize resource utilization
b) To reduce project duration
c) To minimize project risks
d) To maximize project quality
Answer: a) To optimize resource utilization
Which of the following is NOT a typical resource leveling technique?
a) Resource allocation
b) Task reassignment
c) Schedule compression
d) Resource levelling chart
Answer: c) Schedule compression
Resource smoothing is primarily concerned with:
a) Adjusting task durations to optimize resource usage
b) Balancing resource demand to avoid peaks and valleys
c) Expediting critical activities to meet project deadlines
d) Identifying resource constraints and limitations
Answer: b) Balancing resource demand to avoid peaks and valleys
Which resource leveling technique involves delaying non-critical tasks to resolve resource conflicts?
a) Resource allocation
b) Schedule crashing
c) Fast tracking
d) Task dependency adjustment
Answer: a) Resource allocation
Resource smoothing is often used when:
a) The project has a fixed deadline
b) The project has flexible task durations
c) The project has limited resources
d) The project has a high level of uncertainty
Answer: c) The project has limited resources
Which of the following statements is true about resource leveling?
a) It only affects non-critical activities in the project.
b) It may increase the project duration.
c) It reduces the need for resource allocation.
d) It does not consider resource constraints.
Answer: b) It may increase the project duration.
Which resource leveling technique involves adjusting the project schedule to better align with resource availability?
a) Resource allocation
b) Schedule crashing
c) Fast tracking
d) Schedule adjustment
Answer: d) Schedule adjustment
The critical path of a project is NOT impacted by:
a) Resource leveling
b) Resource smoothing
c) Schedule compression
d) Task dependencies
Answer: b) Resource smoothing
Resource leveling is typically done by:
a) Allocating additional resources to critical tasks
b) Adjusting task dependencies
c) Reassigning tasks to different team members
d) Extending task durations
Answer: d) Extending task durations
Resource smoothing aims to achieve a more even distribution of resources by:
a) Expediting critical activities
b) Delaying non-critical activities
c) Allocating more resources to critical activities
d) Shortening task durations
Answer: b) Delaying non-critical activities
MONITORING/ EVALUATION / CONTROLLING
What is the primary purpose of project monitoring and evaluation?
a) To ensure project objectives are met
b) To assign tasks to project team members
c) To develop the project schedule
d) To identify project risks
Answer: a) To ensure project objectives are met
Which of the following is NOT a typical component of project monitoring?
a) Tracking project progress
b) Analyzing project risks
c) Assessing project performance
d) Reporting project status
Answer: b) Analyzing project risks
The process of comparing actual project performance against the planned baseline is known as:
a) Project evaluation
b) Project monitoring
c) Project control
d) Project reporting
Answer: c) Project control
Which tool or technique is commonly used for monitoring and controlling project progress?
a) Work breakdown structure (WBS)
b) Critical path analysis
c) Earned value analysis
d) Gantt chart
Answer: c) Earned value analysis
What is the purpose of conducting a project evaluation?
a) To assess the overall success of the project
b) To identify project risks
c) To develop the project budget
d) To create the project schedule
Answer: a) To assess the overall success of the project
During project monitoring, what does the term "variance" refer to?
a) Deviation from the project budget
b) Deviation from the project schedule
c) Deviation from the project scope
d) Deviation from the project objectives
Answer: b) Deviation from the project schedule
Which of the following is NOT a common technique for project control?
a) Change management
b) Risk analysis
c) Performance measurement
d) Stakeholder engagement
Answer: b) Risk analysis
The process of collecting and analyzing project data to determine the current status and forecast future performance is called:
a) Project assessment
b) Project monitoring
c) Project evaluation
d) Project analysis
Answer: b) Project monitoring
Which document outlines the project monitoring and control approach?
a) Project charter
b) Project plan
c) Project scope statement
d) Project risk register
Answer: b) Project plan
The process of taking corrective actions to bring the project back on track is known as:
a) Project assessment
b) Project monitoring
c) Project evaluation
d) Project control
Answer: d) Project control