Deck 12: Resource Management

Question 1

The resource usage table tells us the project team members,their assigned tasks,and the time each task is expected to take.

Answer 1

True

Question 2

There is,for almost all projects,usually a dominant constraint that serves as the final arbiter of project decisions.

Answer 2

True

Question 3

In-process inventory represents the amount of work waiting to be completed but delayed due to unavailable resources.

Answer 3

True

Question 4

The concept of ________ refers to the amounts of individual resources that a schedule requires during specific time periods.

Question 5

Once Pussy Galore's Flying Circus had put the baby to sleep,the demolition experts had only one hour to access the vault at Fort Knox in order for Operation Grand Slam to be a success.Mr.Goldfinger's ambitious project was ________-constrained.

Question 6

The first step in the resource leveling process is to create the resource loading table.

Question 7

The work breakdown structure and activity networks are needed to create a resource ________ or ________.

Question 8

The best method for establishing the existence of resource conflicts across project activities uses resource-loading charts.

Question 9

Resource loading charts are used to display the amount of resources required as a function of time on a graph.

Question 10

If an activity can be split,only the functional portion of the original activity needs to be accomplished for the project to be fully completed.

Question 11

A resource loading table is created through identifying the project activities and the resources required for completion and applying this information to the project schedule baseline.

Question 12

In a resource constrained project,the work must be finished by a certain time,or date,as efficiently as possible.

Question 13

Because resource management is typically a multivariate,combinatorial problem (i.e. ,one that is characterized by multiple solutions involving literally dozens,hundreds,or even thousands of activity variables)truly correct answers are not possible.

Question 14

If resources have been over-allocated,the loading table must be reconfigured to eliminate resource contention points.The project manager can focus solely on the original point of contention since the activities in a project are separate entities.

Question 15

The ________ is primarily limited by availability of a type of labor or productive asset but may also contain some activities of work package elements that must be finished by a certain date.

Question 16

The idea behind resource leveling is to avoid huge swings in utilization of labor and equipment.

Question 17

Operation Main Strike required several tons of dynamite and a significant amount of manual labor.Max Zorin knew he had a(n)________-constrained project and also had James Bond to contend with.

Question 18

The problem of resource underutilization that a project manager faces when managing a single project disappears in the multi-project environment.

Question 19

The best method for establishing the existence of resource conflicts across project activities uses ________ to analyze project resources against scheduled activities over the project's baseline schedule.

Question 20

All that is needed to create a resource loading calendar is the work breakdown structure and the activity network.

Question 21

Which of these statements about resource management is best?

A)A mathematically optimal solution is almost always attainable and should be pursued.
B)The project manager should level resources as to maximize fluctuations from time period to time period.
C)A common approach to analyzing resource-leveling problems is to apply heuristics.
D)Resource management is usually a univariate,combinatorial problem.

Question 22

Which of the following would NOT typically be displayed in a resource loading table?

A)the project team members
B)the tasks the project team members have been assigned
C)the time the activities are expected to take
D)the expenses allocated to the activities

Question 23

A project that must be finished by December 31st is:

A)time-constrained.
B)resource-constrained.
C)mix-constrained.
D)capacity-constrained.

Question 24

It had been a busy week at the restaurant and as the weekend approached,the assistant manager needed to schedule seven sandwich artists during each afternoon.The only problem that he saw was that there were only five sandwich artists available,a very serious case of resource ________.

Question 25

One heuristic for prioritizing resource allocation is to apply resources to activities with the smallest ________,which proponents say results in the smallest schedule slippage in the overall project.

Question 26

Use the resource loading table to determine which of the Yaki sisters is over-allocated.

A)Suki
B)Terri
C)both
D)Can't be determined from the information provided.

Question 27

The bulldozer was unavailable which meant a few critical tasks could not be completed.This resulted in an increase in ________.

Question 28

________ are used to display the amount of resources required as a function of time on a graph.

Question 29

The best method for establishing the existence of resource conflicts across project activities uses:

A)Gantt charts.
B)network diagrams.
C)Pareto diagrams.
D)resource loading charts.

Question 30

A resource loading form is also known as a(n):

A)load schedule.
B)resource usage calendar.
C)activity resource schedule.
D)network resource profile.

Question 31

________ an activity means interrupting the continuous stream of work on an activity at some midpoint in its development process and applying that resource to another activity for some time period before returning the resource to complete the original task.

Question 32

The amounts of individual resources that a schedule requires during specific time periods is referred to as the resource's:

A)loading.
B)capacity.
C)constraint.
D)drag.

Question 33

As resource leveling proceeds,a(n)________ commonly occurs when the resource schedule is reworked to eliminate sources of resource conflict.

Question 34

The project described in the table uses the same resource for activities A,B,C,and D.Which activity gets first use of this resource if we assign the resource based on the activity with the shortest duration?

A)Activity A
B)Activity B
C)Activity C
D)Activity D

Question 35

The One Shovel Construction Company is hired by the City of Edmond to lay sewer pipe from the east end of town to the west end of town.While the crew would like to begin at both ends simultaneously and have a dramatic ceremony when both ends meet,they find themselves with a bit of a:

A)time constraint.
B)resource constraint.
C)mixed constraint.
D)partial network.

Question 36

________ is the process that addresses the complex challenges of project constraints as to minimize the effects of resource demands across the project's life cycle.

Question 37

The assistant professor frantically prepared his tenure and promotion dossier for the personnel committee.The deadline loomed and he had several other things to accomplish - deadlines for papers and key correspondence that demanded replies.By his reckoning,he probably didn't have enough toner,paper,or computing time available to accomplish all that he had left to do.His project is unfortunately a:

A)time constrained one.
B)resource constrained one.
C)mix-constrained one.
D)personally constrained one.

Question 38

The process that addresses the complex challenges of project constraints is known as:

A)TOC.
B)resource leveling.
C)constraint scheduling.
D)resource scheduling.

Question 39

A resource loading form can be generated once you have developed:

A)the activity network and productivity profile.
B)the work breakdown structure and the project budget.
C)the activity network and the work breakdown structure.
D)the project budget and the productivity profile.

Question 40

The project described in the table uses the same resource for activities A,B,C,and D.Which activity gets first use of this resource if we assign the resource based on the activity with the smallest amount of slack?

A)Activity A
B)Activity B
C)Activity C
D)Activity D

Question 41

Use the information in the table and assume that a worker is expected to devote half-time (four hours per day)to this project with work taking place on a 5-day-per-week basis.Which week has the lowest resource usage?

A)week 3
B)week 2
C)week 9
D)week 8

Question 42

Use the information in the table and assume that a worker is expected to devote half-time (four hours per day)to this project with work taking place on a 5-day-per-week basis.Which week has the highest resource usage?

A)week 6
B)week 2
C)week 4
D)week 3

Question 43

A project consisting of six activities is shown in the table.If the project manager decides to operate on a late start schedule,which of these days has the lowest resource requirements?

A)day 21
B)day 18
C)day 24
D)day 15

Question 44

Use the information in the table and assume that a worker is expected to devote half-time (four hours per day)to this project with work taking place on a 5-day-per-week basis.Which week has the lowest resource usage?

A)week 6
B)week 2
C)week 4
D)week 3

Question 45

Use the project described in the table to determine the total resources required for this project during week 2 if a worker is expected to devote half-time (four hours per day)to this project.Assume that the project work is conducted on a 5-day-per-week basis.

A)30 hours
B)20 hours
C)40 hours
D)36 hours

Question 46

Use the project described in the table to determine the total resources required for activity D if a worker is expected to work half-time (four hours per day)on this project.

A)6 hours
B)40 hours
C)24 hours
D)48 hours

Question 47

Use the project described in the table to determine the total resources required for this project if a worker is expected to devote half-time (four hours per day)to this project.

A)36 hours
B)40 hours
C)64 hours
D)128 hours

Question 48

Use the project described in the table to determine the total resources required for this project during week 1 if a worker is expected to devote half-time (four hours per day)to this project.Assume that the project work is conducted on a 5-day-per-week basis.

A)40 hours
B)20 hours
C)28 hours
D)36 hours

Question 49

The project described in the table uses the same resource for activities A,B,C,and D.Which activity gets first use of this resource if we assign the resource based on the activity with the lowest activity identification number?

A)Activity A
B)Activity B
C)Activity C
D)Activity D

Question 50

Use the information in the table and assume that a worker is expected to devote half-time (four hours per day)to this project with work taking place on a 5-day-per-week basis.What is the total resource requirement for activity G?

A)22 hours
B)88 hours
C)44 hours
D)132 hours

Question 51

Use the information in the table and assume that a worker is expected to devote half-time (four hours per day)to this project with work taking place on a 5-day-per-week basis.If the project manager is told that the total number of hours per week cannot exceed 48,what is the first week that some resource leveling must occur?

A)week 2
B)week 6
C)week 4
D)week 5

Question 52

The project described in the table uses the same resource for activities A,B,C,and D.Which activity gets first use of this resource if we assign the resource based on the activity with the greatest number of successor tasks?

A)Activity A
B)Activity B
C)Activity C
D)Activity D

Question 53

Use the information in the table and assume that a worker is expected to devote half-time (four hours per day)to this project with work taking place on a 5-day-per-week basis.Which week has the highest resource usage?

A)week 4
B)week 5
C)week 6
D)week 7

Question 54

A project consisting of six activities is represented in the resource loading table shown below.There is a limit of 12 hours' time spent on this project for any given day.Which activity should be left alone if at all possible in the adjustment process among the candidates?

A)Activity D
B)Activity C
C)Activity F
D)Activity E

Question 55

Use the project described in the table to determine the total resources required for this project on day 2 if a worker is expected to devote half-time (four hours per day)to this project.

A)4 hours
B)2 hours
C)8 hours
D)6 hours

Question 56

Use the project described in the table to determine the total resources required for this project on day 10 if a worker is expected to devote half-time (four hours per day)to this project.Assume that the project work is conducted on a 5-day-per-week basis.

A)5 hours
B)10 hours
C)4 hours
D)8 hours

Question 57

A project consisting of six activities is represented in the resource loading table shown below.There is a limit of 12 hours' time spent on this project for any given day.What activities are involved in the first resource problem in this schedule?

A)Activities A,B,and C
B)Activities B,C,and D
C)Activities C,D,and E
D)Activities D,E,and F

Question 58

A project consisting of six activities is shown in the table.If the project manager decides to operate on an early start schedule,which of these days has the lowest resource requirements?

A)day 15
B)day 19
C)day 24
D)day 29

Question 59

A project consisting of six activities is shown in the table.If the project manager decides to operate on a late start schedule,which of these days has the highest resource requirements?

A)day 21
B)day 18
C)day 24
D)day 15

Question 60

Use the information in the table and assume that a worker is expected to devote half-time (four hours per day)to this project with work taking place on a 5-day-per-week basis.What is the total resource requirement for the project?

A)365 hours
B)335 hours
C)320 hours
D)310 hours

Question 61

A project consisting of six activities is shown in the table.If the project manager decides to operate on an early start schedule,which of these days has the highest resource requirements?

A)day 5
B)day 10
C)day 15
D)day 20

Question 62

A resource loading chart displays:

A)the amount of time needed as a function of resource limits.
B)the amount of resources required as a function of time.
C)the amount of time needed as a function of money.
D)the amount of resources needed as a function of money.

Question 63

Use this activity precedence table to create a resource loading profile.Activity lengths are given in days and an 8-hour day is assumed.

Question 64

What are any four heuristics for prioritizing resource allocation to activities? Why would a project manager choose one above another?

Question 65

Consider the portfolio of projects described in the table.The resource requirements are in numbers of labor hours.The Greatest Resource Utilization rule would begin work with project:

A)A.
B)B.
C)C.
D)D.

Question 66

Consider the portfolio of projects described in the table.The resource requirements are in numbers of labor hours.The First in Line rule would begin work with project:

A)A.
B)B.
C)C.
D)D.

Question 67

Excessive in-process inventory is often caused by:

A)schedule slippage.
B)over-ordering supplies.
C)lack of available resources.
D)too much labor.

Question 68

Consider the portfolio of projects described in the table.The resource requirements are in numbers of labor hours.The Greatest Resource Demand rule would begin work with project:

A)A.
B)B.
C)C.
D)D.

Question 69

The project represented by this resource load chart has a maximum limit of 6 units of resource activity in any day.The first activities that are strong candidates for shifting are:

A)Activity A
B)Activities B and C
C)Activities D and E
D)Activity E and F

Question 70

The Minimum Late Finish Time rule stipulates that:

A)the earliest late finishers are scheduled last.
B)the latest early finishers are scheduled first.
C)the earliest late finishers are scheduled first.
D)the latest late finishers are scheduled first.

Question 71

The amount of work waiting to be completed but delayed due to unavailable resources is known as:

A)resource utilization.
B)in-process inventory.
C)resource underutilization.
D)efficiency.

Question 72

A project consisting of six activities is shown in the table.The project manager must achieve the lowest possible maximum resource requirement while adhering to a 34-day deadline.The lowest possible peak resource demand occurs:

A)on days 19 through 20 for an early start schedule.
B)on days 17 through 20 for a late start schedule.
C)on days 13 through 18 for an early start schedule.
D)on days 21 through 22 for a late start schedule.

Question 73

The project represented by this resource load chart has a maximum limit of 6 units of resource activity in any day.Which activity could be split to help the project team finish on time and meet the resource cap?

A)Activity A
B)Activities B and C
C)Activities D and E
D)Activity E and F

Question 74

Use this resource load chart to determine which activity uses the fewest resources.

A)Activity A
B)Activity B
C)Activity C
D)Activity D

Question 75

Splitting activities refers to:

A)assigning the work to two or more workers.
B)assigning the work to two or more days.
C)starting an activity,interrupting it to use a resource elsewhere,and then returning to work on the activity.
D)breaking each non-critical activity into two or more components and subdividing the resources they use by a similar divisor.

Question 76

Use this resource load chart to determine which activity is the longest in duration.

A)Activity A
B)Activity B
C)Activity C
D)Activity D

Question 77

Describe resource leveling;its objectives and the basic five-step technique to perform it.

Question 78

Mathematical programming is sometimes used to generate optimal solutions to resource constrained problems in a multi-project setting but suffers from:

A)an inability to model project and activity due dates.
B)resource substitution.
C)resource constraints.
D)problem complexity.

Question 79

Use this resource load chart to determine which activity uses the greatest number of resources.

A)Activity A
B)Activity B
C)Activity C
D)Activity D

Question 80

What are the three types of constraints that projects face;provide examples and suggest ways to address these constraints?