Project Management Techniques Quiz
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Questions and Answers

What is the primary purpose of resource allocation in project management?

  • To increase the number of activities in a project
  • To systematically allocate resources when they are limited (correct)
  • To manage budgets exclusively
  • To avoid conflict between team members

    • The critical path is the sequence of activities that does not control the project.

    False (B)

    What are the two techniques commonly associated with project management for scheduling?

    PERT and CPM

    The longest time path through the network is called the ______.

    <p>critical path</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Match the steps in the PERT and CPM processes with their descriptions:

    <p>Define the Project = Identifying significant tasks and activities Develop relationships = Determining activity sequences Draw the Network = Creating a visual representation of tasks Assign time/cost estimates = Estimating resources for completion</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following actions is NOT part of controlling in project management?

    <p>Drawing random conclusions (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Non-critical activities must be completed in order to control the outcome of the project.

    <p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What tool is commonly used to keep track of project progress in CPM/PERT?

    <p>Network diagram</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which method was developed for the POLARIS missile program?

    <p>PERT (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    CPM uses probabilistic activity times.

    <p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What significant achievement was made in the application of CPM at the Du Pont works?

    <p>Reduction of unproductive time from 125 to 93 hours.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    CPM is primarily used in __________ management.

    <p>Production</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Match the following terms with their descriptions:

    <p>CPM = Deterministic activity times PERT = Probabilistic activity times Network Analysis = Technique for project scheduling Activity-on-Node = CPM network construction method</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary focus of the PERT method?

    <p>Handling uncertain time estimates for non-repetitive jobs (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    CPM and PERT use the same principle of network-oriented techniques.

    <p>True (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In what year was CPM first applied to a construction project?

    <p>1958</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary directional flow of activities in a network diagram?

    <p>From lower-numbered nodes to higher-numbered nodes (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Numbering in a network diagram should start from an arbitrary node.

    <p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What should each activity in a network diagram do concerning start and end nodes?

    <p>Each activity should start at one node and end at another.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The numbering in a network diagram should align with the logical order of activities and __________.

    <p>dependencies</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Match the elements of a network diagram with their correct description:

    <p>Nodes = Points where activities begin or end Arrows = Indicates the direction of activity flow Numbering = Organizes the sequence of events Activities = Tasks represented in the diagram</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is one of the key benefits of PERT/CPM?

    <p>It provides critical path and slack time. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    PERT/CPM is only applicable in the construction industry.

    <p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the first step in the PERT/CPM project scheduling process?

    <p>Planning</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Allocation of resources is performed to achieve the desired ______.

    <p>objective</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Match the following applications with their respective descriptions:

    <p>Construction of a dam = Large infrastructure projects Cost control of a project = Financial management during projects Designing a prototype = Development of new products Space flight = Projects involving aerospace technology</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is a limitation of PERT/CPM?

    <p>Focuses only on critical paths. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Critical path activities require special attention to ensure timely project completion.

    <p>True (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What must be shown in the scheduling phase regarding non-critical activities?

    <p>Slack or float times</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which activity must be completed before activities C and D can start?

    <p>A (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Activity G can begin as soon as activities D and E are complete.

    <p>True (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the significance of using AOA and AON network diagrams in project management?

    <p>They visually represent the relationships and dependencies between project activities.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Activity F is dependent on the completion of activity __.

    <p>C</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Match the following activities with their prerequisite activities:

    <p>C = A D = A E = B F = C G = D and E</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which type of activity must be completed immediately prior to the start of another activity?

    <p>Predecessor Activity (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    A dummy activity consumes resources during a project.

    <p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a network diagram used for in project management?

    <p>It is used to visualize the sequence of tasks and identify critical paths and dependencies.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    An activity that cannot be started until one or more other activities are completed is called a ______.

    <p>successor activity</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Match the type of activity with its description:

    <p>Predecessor Activity = Must be completed before another activity starts Successor Activity = Cannot start until preceding activities are completed Concurrent Activity = Can be accomplished at the same time as others Dummy Activity = Does not consume resources but indicates dependence</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is NOT a key question to ask when preparing an activity network?

    <p>What is the cost of this activity? (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Concurrent activities can be performed at the same time.

    <p>True (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary purpose of a network diagram?

    <p>To illustrate the sequence and dependencies between project activities.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Study Notes

    CPM/PERT Techniques

    • CPM (Critical Path Method) and PERT (Project Evaluation and Review Technique) are network analysis techniques, developed independently in industrial and military settings.
    • CPM was developed by M.R. Walker (E.I. Du Pont de Nemours & Co.) and J.E. Kelly (Remington Rand) around 1957. It was initially designed for the UNIVAC-I computer.
    • The first use of CPM was for testing a new chemical plant construction in 1958. The method was then applied to maintenance shutdowns at Du Pont works in Louisville, Kentucky in March 1959, reducing unproductive maintenance time from 125 to 93 hours.
    • PERT was developed in 1958 by the U.S. Navy's Program Evaluation Branch for the Polaris missile program, with assistance from Lockheed Missile Systems and Booz-Allen & Hamilton. Calculations were carried out on the IBM Naval Ordinance Research Computer (NORC) at Dahlgren, Virginia.

    Network-Oriented Techniques

    • Both CPM and PERT are time-oriented network techniques.
    • CPM uses deterministic time estimates for activities.
    • PERT uses probabilistic time estimates for activities.
    • CPM activities are visualized as a network of precedence relationships using an activity-on-node network structure.
    • PERT activities are shown as a network of precedence relationships using an activity-on-arrow network structure.

    Applications of CPM/PERT

    • These methods are applicable to diverse projects across industries and government organizations.
    • Examples include: dam or canal construction, building or highway construction, airplane maintenance or overhaul, oil refinery maintenance, space flights, cost control of projects, designing prototypes of machines, and designing supersonic planes

    Basic Steps in PERT/CPM

    • Planning: Dividing the project into smaller tasks, defining relationships between tasks, and establishing responsibilities for task completion.
    • Scheduling: Creating a time chart outlining start and finish times for each activity and its relationship to other activities in the project, identifying critical activities requiring close attention.
    • Resource Allocation: Ensuring sufficient resources (labor, finance, equipment, space) are available to support the project.
    • Controlling: Monitoring progress, tracking costs, and making necessary adjustments to ensure the project is completed within budget and timeline.

    Network Diagram Representation

    • Network diagrams visually represent project tasks, activities, and events, illustrating their sequence and dependencies.
    • They include nodes (representing tasks or events) and arrows (depicting dependencies and the flow).
    • Activities are shown graphically as arrows, emphasizing the dependencies between different activities.
    • Different types of activities include:
      • Predecessor activities: Occur before other activities
      • Successor activities: Follow other activities
      • Concurrent activities: Can happen simultaneously
      • Dummy activities: Used to illustrate dependencies without resources

    Key Elements of a Network Diagram

    • Nodes: events (circles) or activities (rectangles)
    • Arrows: show dependencies and order of operations
    • Start and End Points
    • Critical path: identifies the longest path through the network.
    • Float/slack: the extra time available for a task without delaying the project

    Common Errors in Drawing Networks

    • Dangling: an activity ending before all project activities are completed.
    • Looping: creating cyclical dependencies, preventing project completion.
    • Redundancy: unnecessary dummy activities that don't reflect actual project dependencies.
    • Ignoring Parallel Activities: Failing to recognize potential simultaneous tasks.
    • Overlapping or Crossed Lines: Complicating the network diagram, making it difficult to read.
    • Missing Dependencies: Failing to account for dependencies between tasks.

    Key Concepts in CPM/PERT

    • Critical path: the longest sequence of activities in a project, and it determines the minimum completion time for the project.
    • Float: The time an activity can be delayed without delaying the project's overall completion time.
    • Event: A specific point in time marking the completion of tasks.
    • Activity: An individual operation in a project using resources that start and finish at specific points in time.
    • Slack: Additional time activity can be delayed without affecting the project completion time.

    Advantages of PERT/CPM

    • Explicitly define dependencies
    • Highlight critical paths
    • Identifies earliest and latest start and finish times for each activity
    • Identify float/slack in activities

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    Network Diagram Full PDF

    Description

    Test your knowledge of resource allocation, scheduling techniques, and project control in project management. This quiz covers essential concepts like CPM and PERT, including their applications and significant milestones. Perfect for students and professionals looking to enhance their understanding.

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