PM STUDY question

Submitted by AP on Wed, 03/13/2013 - 14:32

Can someone please answer the below question with explanation?


 


A project has a critical path of twenty-three weeks. What is the impact on the duration of the critical path if the management wants you to complete the project in twenty weeks?


A. Increases by three weeks. 
B. Decreases by three weeks. 
C. Remains the same. 
D. Cannot be determined.

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crushPMP

Wed, 03/13/2013 - 14:58

D?


Let's say if there is a near-critical path with only 2 weeks short than the critical path, then in that case, adding 3 weeks to activities on that path, might make that path as the new critical path. So the impact really can't be determined.

bpatel

Wed, 03/13/2013 - 17:38

At first even i thought D looks most appropriate


But after practicing few tests and finding myself victim of the confusing two right answers and carefully looking at language i get obsessed with 2 correct choices


 


It says, management wants you to, it does not say it is a final plan, should we consider this part? In that event, critical path is still the same. I know a lot of material but i am not doing well in practice exams because of these type of questions

sspawar

Thu, 03/14/2013 - 00:18

My answer is simply B

for - D - if I ask why it cant be determined? then what for a planner is there.

why should C, we know resource optimization and crashing and fast tracking

 

AP

Thu, 03/14/2013 - 09:13

The correct answer as per PMSTUDY is C. The explanation given which doesn't make much sense is,


Duration of critical path = 23 weeks
If the management wants to complete the project in twenty weeks, then the project float will be: 20 - 23 = -3 weeks The project float compares the critical path with an externally imposed date and may be negative. You may be forced to fast track or perform crashing to ensure that the project is completed on time as required by the management.


There will be no change to the critical path.


Any take on this???

sspawar

Thu, 03/14/2013 - 12:22

 Explanation itself is funny.

Though I do not want to criticise PMSTUDY.

It is my individual opinion.

Question is asking:

What will be the impact on the duration.

Explanation is like that:

-----------. You may be forced to fast track or perform crashing to ensure that the project is completed on time as required by the management.There will be no change to the critical path.

Here see

Explanation is saying - No change in critical path, but DURATION will be according to management.

Then how you find it is true explanation for option C. Only because it is test/PMSTUDY provided answer.

-----------------------------------------------------------

Next the Term - PROJECT FLOAT

Float is a term related to activity/activities.

Float means possibilities of floating of activity accomplishment period of activities or an activity within a project network diagram, without affecting the end date.

Project float - is not CPM/ network diagraming term (PMBOK also does not specify any such term)

It can be a question that  project will float against what. project is itself a complete entety. A part project may have possibility to float against a complete project end date. But a complete project will not have any possibility of floating. You cant put 2 end dates.

May be my explanation, could not suit to majority.

 

AP

Thu, 03/14/2013 - 12:26

Dear Pawar,


Even my answer was B. But could not relate the explanation given by PMSTUDY and hence posted this question here.

sspawar

Thu, 03/14/2013 - 14:12

 yes I can understand, thats why , you asked it in forum. I found many such question ( about 2 % of 1000 qs), which are debatable and almost wrong.

few days back  one guy from Saudi - Raaza , also have posted 3-4 qs of PMSTUDY, were not correct in my opinion.

It is also with pmp4sure.

It is general, that 1-2 % debatable or contradictory questins may be in any package.

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