PERT And CPM Quiz Questions With Answers

1. What is PERT analysis based on?

Most likely time

Pessimistic time

Optimistic time

All of the above

PERT analysis is based on all of the above factors, which include the most likely time, pessimistic time, and optimistic time. PERT (Program Evaluation and Review Technique) is a project management tool used to analyze and estimate the time required to complete a project. By considering these different time estimates, PERT analysis allows for a more comprehensive and realistic assessment of the project timeline, taking into account both best-case and worst-case scenarios, as well as the most likely outcome.

Explanation

PERT analysis is based on all of the above factors, which include the most likely time, pessimistic time, and optimistic time. PERT (Program Evaluation and Review Technique) is a project management tool used to analyze and estimate the time required to complete a project. By considering these different time estimates, PERT analysis allows for a more comprehensive and realistic assessment of the project timeline, taking into account both best-case and worst-case scenarios, as well as the most likely outcome.

2. Which of the following statements is not correct regarding CPM and PERT?

PERT is probabilistic in nature.

CPM is probabilistic in nature.

CPM and PERT use similar terminology but were developed independently.

All of these statements are correct.

The correct answer is "CPM is probabilistic in nature." This statement is not correct because CPM (Critical Path Method) is a deterministic project management technique that focuses on identifying the critical path and determining the minimum time required to complete a project. Unlike PERT (Program Evaluation and Review Technique), which incorporates probabilistic time estimates, CPM assumes fixed durations for activities. Therefore, CPM is not probabilistic in nature.

Explanation

The correct answer is "CPM is probabilistic in nature." This statement is not correct because CPM (Critical Path Method) is a deterministic project management technique that focuses on identifying the critical path and determining the minimum time required to complete a project. Unlike PERT (Program Evaluation and Review Technique), which incorporates probabilistic time estimates, CPM assumes fixed durations for activities. Therefore, CPM is not probabilistic in nature.

3. Mark the wrong statement:

A project is a set of activities that can be performed in a certain logical sequence.

A network is a graphic portrayal of the independency relationship among the activities of a project.

An arrow representing an activity can have any length and shape.

An activity cannot be represented by more than one arrow, but an arrow can represent one or more activities.

The correct answer is "An activity cannot be represented by more than one arrow, but an arrow can represent one or more activities." This statement is incorrect because an activity can be represented by more than one arrow in a project network diagram. This can occur when an activity has multiple predecessors or multiple successors. However, an arrow can indeed represent one or more activities, as it can depict the logical flow between different activities in a project.

Explanation

The correct answer is "An activity cannot be represented by more than one arrow, but an arrow can represent one or more activities." This statement is incorrect because an activity can be represented by more than one arrow in a project network diagram. This can occur when an activity has multiple predecessors or multiple successors. However, an arrow can indeed represent one or more activities, as it can depict the logical flow between different activities in a project.

4. Mark the wrong statement:

All activities on a critical path are critical activities.

A project network may have none, one, or more critical paths.

A delay in critical activity surely delays the completion of the project.

Each critical activity has identical earliest and the latest start times.

The statement "A project network may have none, one, or more critical paths" is incorrect. A project network can have only one critical path, which is the longest path in the network and determines the minimum time required to complete the project. All activities on the critical path are critical activities, and a delay in any of these activities will delay the completion of the project. Each critical activity has identical earliest and latest start times, as they cannot be delayed without delaying the project.

Explanation

The statement "A project network may have none, one, or more critical paths" is incorrect. A project network can have only one critical path, which is the longest path in the network and determines the minimum time required to complete the project. All activities on the critical path are critical activities, and a delay in any of these activities will delay the completion of the project. Each critical activity has identical earliest and latest start times, as they cannot be delayed without delaying the project.

5. Given, expected duration of the project = 47 days, variance = 9 days. Expected Time for Project Completion: 50 days Z: 0.33 1.0 Area: 0.1293 0.3413 What is the probability of completing the project within three days, more or less than the expected time?

0.5000

0.6826

0.2586

0.3174

The answer is 0.6826 because the given information provides the expected duration of the project and the variance. With this information, we can calculate the standard deviation by taking the square root of the variance, which is 3 days. We can then use the Z-score formula to find the probability of completing the project within three days of the expected time. The Z-score is calculated by taking the difference between the desired time (3 days) and the expected time (50 days) and dividing it by the standard deviation (3 days). The Z-score of -15 gives us a probability of 0.6826, which means there is a 68.26% chance of completing the project within three days of the expected time.

Explanation

The answer is 0.6826 because the given information provides the expected duration of the project and the variance. With this information, we can calculate the standard deviation by taking the square root of the variance, which is 3 days. We can then use the Z-score formula to find the probability of completing the project within three days of the expected time. The Z-score is calculated by taking the difference between the desired time (3 days) and the expected time (50 days) and dividing it by the standard deviation (3 days). The Z-score of -15 gives us a probability of 0.6826, which means there is a 68.26% chance of completing the project within three days of the expected time.

6. Mark the wrong statement:

Forward pass calculations yield the earliest and the latest start and finish times of various activities.

The difference between the latest and the earliest finish times is the total slack.

Backward pass determines the latest start and the latest finish.

The backward pass in project management calculates the latest start and finish times for activities, identifying the latest possible point they can begin and end without delaying the project. This information is crucial for scheduling and resource allocation, ensuring efficient project execution. By determining these timings, project managers can effectively manage dependencies and optimize the project's timeline to meet deadlines.

Explanation

The backward pass in project management calculates the latest start and finish times for activities, identifying the latest possible point they can begin and end without delaying the project. This information is crucial for scheduling and resource allocation, ensuring efficient project execution. By determining these timings, project managers can effectively manage dependencies and optimize the project's timeline to meet deadlines.

7. Which of the following is not a rule of network construction?

Each defined activity is represented by one and only one arrow.

A network should have only an initial and one terminal node.

Identical initial and final nodes can identify two activities.

Only as few dummy activities should be included as is warranted.

The rule of network construction states that each defined activity should be represented by one and only one arrow. This means that each activity in the network should have a unique representation and should not be duplicated. The given answer states that identical initial and final nodes can identify two activities, which contradicts this rule. Therefore, the answer is not a rule of network construction.

Explanation

The rule of network construction states that each defined activity should be represented by one and only one arrow. This means that each activity in the network should have a unique representation and should not be duplicated. The given answer states that identical initial and final nodes can identify two activities, which contradicts this rule. Therefore, the answer is not a rule of network construction.

8. Which of the following is not correct in respect of PERT calculations?

The target time minus the expected time divided by standard deviation is the z value.

The completion of the project using the PERT method follows a normal distribution.

The sum total of variances of critical activity times gives the variance of the overall project completion time.

The completion of the project using the PERT method does not follow a normal distribution. PERT calculations use a weighted average of three time estimates to determine the expected time of an activity, and the target time minus the expected time divided by the standard deviation gives the z value. The sum total of variances of critical activity times gives the variance of the overall project completion time. However, the completion of the project itself does not follow a normal distribution.

Explanation

The completion of the project using the PERT method does not follow a normal distribution. PERT calculations use a weighted average of three time estimates to determine the expected time of an activity, and the target time minus the expected time divided by the standard deviation gives the z value. The sum total of variances of critical activity times gives the variance of the overall project completion time. However, the completion of the project itself does not follow a normal distribution.

9. Given, expected duration of the project = 47 days, variance = 9 days. What is the probability of not completing the project in 50 days? Z: 0.33 1.0 Area : 0.1293 0.3413

0.6293

0.8413

0.1587

0.3707

The answer is 0.1587 because the question is asking for the probability of not completing the project in 50 days. To calculate this probability, we need to use the concept of standard deviation and Z-scores. The Z-score of 0.33 corresponds to a probability of 0.3707, which represents the area to the left of the Z-score on a standard normal distribution table. Since we want to find the probability of not completing the project in 50 days, we subtract the probability (0.3707) from 1. This gives us 0.6293, which represents the probability of completing the project in 50 days. However, the question is asking for the probability of not completing the project, so we subtract this probability from 1 again. This gives us the final answer of 0.1587, which represents the probability of not completing the project in 50 days.

Explanation

The answer is 0.1587 because the question is asking for the probability of not completing the project in 50 days. To calculate this probability, we need to use the concept of standard deviation and Z-scores. The Z-score of 0.33 corresponds to a probability of 0.3707, which represents the area to the left of the Z-score on a standard normal distribution table. Since we want to find the probability of not completing the project in 50 days, we subtract the probability (0.3707) from 1. This gives us 0.6293, which represents the probability of completing the project in 50 days. However, the question is asking for the probability of not completing the project, so we subtract this probability from 1 again. This gives us the final answer of 0.1587, which represents the probability of not completing the project in 50 days.

10. Mark the wrong statement:

An event that represents the initiation of more than one activity is called the burst event.

The longest path of a given project gives the maximum duration, while its shortest path indicates the shortest duration.

The resource allocation programs aim to allocate the given resources in a manner that the project completes in minimum time.

A non-critical activity may or may not have any free float.

The correct answer is "The longest path of a given project gives the maximum duration, while its shortest path indicates the shortest duration." This statement is incorrect because the longest path in a project network diagram represents the critical path, which is the path that determines the minimum duration of the project. The shortest path, on the other hand, represents the path with the least duration.

Explanation

The correct answer is "The longest path of a given project gives the maximum duration, while its shortest path indicates the shortest duration." This statement is incorrect because the longest path in a project network diagram represents the critical path, which is the path that determines the minimum duration of the project. The shortest path, on the other hand, represents the path with the least duration.