Deck 8: Scheduling Resources and Costs

Question 1

Resource leveling or smoothing is only used on projects which are resource constrained.

Answer 1

False

Question 2

Splitting is a scheduling technique used to get a better schedule or better resource utilization and should be used without hesitation.

Answer 2

False

Question 3

If a project needs one earth mover six months from now in order to complete one activity, and the organization has four such machines, there is no equipment resource constraint.

Answer 3

False

Question 4

A project budget report is showing our project as spending $82,000 against a budgeted amount of $85,000. We can assume that everything is going as planned and that we are under budget.

Question 5

Since resource leveling or smoothing delays noncritical activities, a common result is a decrease in network sensitivity.

Question 6

When scheduling activities in a resource-constrained project typically the activity scheduled first has the most amount of slack.

Question 7

Scheduling projects classified as resource-constrained focuses on completing the project as soon as possible under the given resource constraints.

Question 8

The fact that you must pour foundation before you frame the house and that you have to frame the house before you can put on the roof demonstrates scheduling constraints.

Question 9

In a resource-constrained project, the completion date is most likely to change.

Question 10

Resource dependency takes priority over technological dependency but it does not violate it.

Question 11

Having too few programmers and too many engineers is an example of a people resource constraint.

Question 12

The inability to fit more than two earth movers on a construction site at the same time when more are needed to complete the activity on time is an example of a physical constraint.

Question 13

A lack of readily available engineers is a technical constraint.

Question 14

Resource bottlenecks are one of the three more common problems encountered in managing multiproject resource schedules.

Question 15

Sequential activities hold just as much potential for resource conflicts as parallel activities.

Question 16

When resource constraints are added to technical constraints the original project network may change as well as the completion date.

Question 17

All leveling techniques delay noncritical activities by using positive slack to smooth out the resource requirements.

Question 18

To determine if a project is time-constrained or resource-constrained you would consult the project priority matrix.

Question 19

Too many parallel activities for one individual is an example of a resource constraint.

Question 20

The level of resources each activity will need to be completed in the given amount of time has been estimated; therefore, there are no resource constraints.

Question 21

When considering the sequence and timing of activities, which of the following is NOT one of the types of project network constraints?

A) Physical
B) Technical
C) Resource
D) Time
E) All of these are types of constraints that could impact structure of the project network.

Question 22

Comparing Planned Costs versus Actual Costs will give the project manager a quick understanding of the status of the project.

Question 23

Resource constraints can be overcome by creative and efficient scheduling.

Question 24

All resource leveling techniques involve

A) delaying noncritical activities.
B) delaying critical activities.
C) using negative slack.
D) delaying the project.
E) adding resources.

Question 25

If resources are not adequate to meet peak demands, the resulting reschedule is termed

A) resource-constrained scheduling.
B) time-constrained scheduling.
C) mandatory leveling.
D) project resource adjustment.
E) allocation.

Question 26

A project engineer has been scheduled to run the product system test at the same time as building a marketing prototype. This is an example of what type of resource constraint?

A) Physical
B) Technical
C) People
D) Equipment
E) Time

Question 27

Without a time-phased budget a good project schedule and cost control are impossible.

Question 28

All of the following are types of resource constraints EXCEPT

A) materials.
B) people.
C) equipment.
D) information.
E) human.

Question 29

A project leader's boss has indicated that their project is very important. If the critical path is delayed, the lead will be given whatever is needed to get it back on schedule. The project is classified as ________ constrained.

A) time
B) quality
C) cost
D) performance
E) resource

Question 30

In reviewing the status of a project with top management, a team leader was told that there are only two programmers that can be used for the project. The project is classified as __________ constrained.

A) time
B) quality
C) cost
D) performance
E) resource

Question 31

A project purchasing agent is trying to order the concrete needed to continue the project. However, the supplier will not be able to deliver it until next week. This is an example of what kind of resource constraint?

A) Working capital
B) People
C) Equipment
D) Information
E) Materials

Question 32

A special truck that is needed on the project has been assigned to another project. This is an example of what type of resource constraint?

A) Working capital
B) People
C) Equipment
D) Information
E) Materials

Question 33

A test engineer is to conduct environmental testing but the chamber cannot hold all the equipment that needs to be tested. This is an example of a constraint that could impact the sequence and timing of activities in a project network. What type of constraint is it?

A) Physical
B) Technical
C) Resource
D) Scheduling
E) Time

Question 34

Having individual staff members assigned to multiple simultaneous tasks is an efficient way to split tasks and get tasks accomplished more efficiently.

A) shifting.
B) effectiveness.
C) manipulating.
D) smoothing.
E) allocation.

Question 35

When developing a new software package, logically, the software must be designed before the code is written, and the code must be written before it is tested. These activities are dependent on each other by _________ constraints.

A) physical
B) technical
C) resource
D) schedule
E) time

Question 36

Most of the scheduling methods available today require the project manager to classify the project as either _______ constrained or ______ constrained.

A) time, quality
B) quality, resource
C) cost, time
D) quality, cost
E) time, resource

Question 37

Project managers should always assign the best people to the most difficult tasks.

Question 38

Project management software is important because it will manage the project for the project manager.

Question 39

Which of the following is NOT a potential consequence of failing to identify limited resources before project implementation?

A) Activity delays
B) Project delays
C) Difficulty in taking quick corrective action
D) Increase costs
E) Scope creep

Question 40

If resources are truly limited and activity time estimates are accurate, the resource-constrained schedule will materialize as the project is implemented, not the time-constrained schedule.

Question 41

Technical constraints have been carefully considered when developing a project network. Which of the following is true at this point?

A) Resources have been assigned to each activity so they are adequate to complete the project on time.
B) Technical dependencies between activities are known.
C) The project completion date can be established.
D) The project is ready to be implemented.
E) All of these are true statements once technical constraints have been established.

Question 42

A project budget report is showing our project as spending $50,000 against a budgeted amount of $65,000. Which of the following is true?

A) We are spending less than we should for the project.
B) We are doing a good job managing the project.
C) We should check to see if all the bills have been paid.
D) We have more money to put into budget reserves.
E) We can't be sure how the project is going.

Question 43

Splitting an activity can result in all of the following EXCEPT

A) more people working on the same activity.
B) possible startup and shutdown costs.
C) a resource being moved from one activity to another and then back.
D) activity work being placed on hold for a period until more resources are available.
E) a better project schedule.

Question 44

Why is it necessary to have a time-phased budget baseline?

A) It allows proper resource allocation.
B) It shows how much work was accomplished for the money spent.
C) It reduces schedule slippage when scheduling multiproject resources.
D) It is not necessary to have a time-phased budget baseline.
E) It reduces fluctuations in cash flow during the project.

Question 45

This is used to compare the cost accounts between organizational units and deliverables.

A) Chart of Accounts
B) Earned Value
C) Project Schedule
D) Direct Labor Budget Rollup
E) Comparison Audit

Question 46

When there are not enough people, money, and / or equipment available for a project it is known as being

A) managerially resourceful.
B) operationally successful.
C) resource constrained.
D) delayed without prejudice.
E) project constrained.

Question 47

In a resource-constrained project the second priority in assigning resources is usually given to activities with the

A) smallest duration.
B) least slack.
C) most slack.
D) lowest identification number.
E) highest cost.

Question 48

Resource leveling or smoothing can have all the following results on a project EXCEPT

A) lower peak resource demand.
B) reduced resource need over the life of the project.
C) reduced fluctuations in resource demand.
D) a longer project duration.
E) a more sensitive network.

Question 49

When a company will reduce the number of projects they have to manage internally to only core projects and send noncritical projects to contractors and consulting firms this is called

A) outsourcing.
B) redistribution of projects.
C) project allocation.
D) task sharing.
E) referring.

Question 50

When leveling schedules to overcome resource constraints, ___________ is increased.

A) impact of risks
B) scheduling complexity
C) cost
D) amount of total slack
E) amount of free slack

Question 51

These are all guidelines a project manager should consider when assigning project work EXCEPT

A) select people with compatible work habits and personalities.
B) always assign the best people to the most difficult tasks.
C) when possible, team veterans up with new hires.
D) select individuals with skillsets that complement each other.
E) have people work together early so that they can become familiar with each other.

Question 52

Which of the following is NOT one of the more common problems associated with scheduling multi-project resources?

A) Overall schedule slippage
B) Inefficient resource utilization
C) Decline in project quality
D) Resource bottlenecks
E) Delays in one project causing delays in other projects

Question 53

In a resource-constrained project, which of the following is most likely to be changed?

A) The completion date
B) The budget
C) Project quality
D) Resource levels
E) Scope creep

Question 54

In a resource-constrained project the third priority in assigning resources is usually given to activities with the

A) smallest duration.
B) least slack.
C) most slack.
D) lowest identification number.
E) highest cost.

Question 55

A project scheduler is working on a project that technically allows three activities to be done at the same time. If they were to be implemented at the same time, the scheduler would need 5 contractors in order for the activities to be completed on time. There are only 3 available for the project. This is an example of what type of constraint?

A) Technical
B) People
C) Equipment
D) Physical
E) Materials

Question 56

A project leader has realized that two activities in the project cannot be done at the same time because not enough resources are available. Activity 3 is critical and has a duration of 5 days. Activity 4 has 2 days of slack and a duration of 2 days. How will the project leader decide which activity should be scheduled first?

A) The activity with the smallest duration
B) The activity with the least slack
C) The activity with the most slack
D) The activity with the lowest identification number
E) The activity with the highest cost

Question 57

A project scheduler is trying to reallocate resources in a time-constrained project to create smoother resource utilization. The scheduler should first identify activities with the

A) smallest duration.
B) least slack.
C) most slack.
D) lowest identification number.
E) highest cost.

Question 58

All of the following are benefits of scheduling resources before project implementation EXCEPT

A) it allows time for considering reasonable options if resource constraints do exist.
B) the project completion date can be established.
C) work packages can be time-phased.
D) it allows managers to share resources with other project managers if it is requested without negatively impacting their project.
E) it ensures low network sensitivity.

Question 59

In a resource-constrained project, the first, or primary, priority in assigning resources is usually given to activities with the

A) smallest duration.
B) least slack.
C) most slack.
D) lowest identification number.
E) highest cost.

Question 60

Project budgets are developed by time-phasing which of the following?

A) Resource schedules
B) Work packages
C) The network diagram
D) Critical activities
E) None of these are time-phased to develop a project budget.

Question 61

When developing project networks, which of the following is not a reason for delineating technical dependencies first before doing resource dependencies?

A) The interrelationships and interactions among time and resource constraints are complex for even small project networks.
B) Resource availability may not be known until the initial schedule is completed.
C) Even if resources are known, one cannot assess the impact of limited resources until a resource-neutral schedule is created.
D) An effort to examine the interactions between technical / logical constraints and resource limitations frequently uncovers surprising problems.
E) All of these alternatives are reasons for delineating technical dependencies first before doing resource dependencies.

Question 62

Renovation of a small compartment in a houseboat or camping trailer that is too small for more than one person is an example of a(n) ________ resource constraint.

A) physical
B) people
C) material
D) equipment
E) budget

Question 63

If resource demand varies widely over the life of the project, the project manager can try to use slack (delaying noncritical activities) to accommodate insufficient resources. This process is called____.

A) resource scheduling
B) resource smoothing
C) resource-constrained scheduling
D) splitting
E) resource accommodation

Question 64

When only one person is responsible for performing several activities, all due at the same time, this is an example of a(n) ________ constraint.

A) equipment
B) materials
C) technical
D) resource
E) logical

Question 65

Delaying noncritical activities to lower peak demand and, thus, increase resource utilization is called resource __________.

A) smoothing
B) slack utilization
C) switching
D) re-scheduling
E) overtime

Question 66

All leveling techniques delay noncritical activities by using ________ to reduce peak demand.

A) additional resources
B) additional time
C) positive risk
D) additional people
E) additional slack

Question 67

Which constraint category should be considered before all others?

A) Logical and technical constraints
B) Human resource constraints
C) Material resource constraints
D) Equipment resource constraints
E) Time constraints

Question 68

A(n) ________ constraint addresses the sequence in which project activities must occur even after considering resource constraints.

A) predecessor
B) technical or logic
C) successor
D) serial
E) hard

Question 69

The shortage of memory chips to produce a printed circuit motherboard is an example of a(n) ________ type of resource constraint.

A) physical
B) people
C) material
D) equipment
E) budget

Question 70

Resource dependency takes priority over the technological dependency but does not violate ___________ dependencies.

A) equipment
B) time
C) technical
D) resource
E) logical

Question 71

A shortage of software developers to create software is an example of a(n) ________ type of resource constraint.

A) physical
B) people
C) material
D) equipment
E) budget

Question 72

When scheduling activities in a resource-constrained project, typically the activity scheduled first has the __________ amount of slack.

A) least
B) most
C) greatest
D) maximum
E) modest

Question 73

In order that the new product is on the shelf for the Christmas buying season, the development of the new product would be classified as a(n) ________ -constrained project.

A) equipment
B) time
C) technical
D) resource
E) logical

Question 74

If three copiers are needed to produce a final report on time and only two are available, the project is facing a(n) ________ type of resource constraint.

A) physical
B) people
C) material
D) equipment
E) budget

Question 75

When deciding which staff to team-up to work on work packages, factors to consider are:

A) Work habits.
B) Practical experience.
C) Years of working in the company.
D) Both work habits and practical experience.
E) Both practical experience and years of working in the company.

Question 76

A project manager has two engineers assigned to the project and does not have access to more even if the result means extending the completion date on the project. The project manager is managing a(n) ________.

A) time-constrained project
B) people-constrained project
C) engineer-constrained project
D) resource-constrained project
E) human-constrained project

Question 77

Which of the following questions does a project manager NOT have to address when considering resources allocated to a project?

A) Will the assigned labor be adequate and available to deal with my project?
B) Will outside contractors have to be used?
C) Will scope have to be redefined / stabilized?
D) Do unforeseen resource dependencies exist?
E) How much flexibility do we have in using resources?

Question 78

When looking at the critical path for a delayed project and the project manager sees that adding resources will reduce or remove the delay, the project manager knows that the project is:

A) Over Allocated.
B) Time-Constrained.
C) Institutionally Challenged.
D) Ahead of schedule.
E) Unstable.

Question 79

If it becomes necessary to delay one or several late starts to accommodate resource limitations, this is called:

A) Resource scheduling
B) Resource smoothing
C) Resource-constrained scheduling
D) Splitting
E) Resource accommodation

Question 80

While balancing assignments, a project manager must also balance:

A) Overall project cost.
B) Talent development.
C) Earned value.
D) Work package slack.
E) Project cost.