Critical Path Method

Anonymous

Hi everyone,
Couple of months the PMI made free PMP exam, there was a question that seems incomplete,
I’ll share the question and the answer here for you opinions ;

a project manager learns that, due to supplier delays, task I should start 10 days after the start of task H. the project manager produces a network diagram where each task has three day duration, and re evaluates the critical path. what is the new critical path?
• A-B-C-D-E
• H-F-G
• H-C-D-E
• H-I-J

Correct answer: H-I-J
The critical path is the longest path throughout the logical network. In this case it is 10d+ 3d + 3d = 16d

How could the two tasks H&I with start to start relationship and put them in the same path??

Posted: Jul 6, 2020 6:06 AM

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Keith Novak Tukwila, Wa, United States

Jul 09, 2020 5:06 AM

Replying to Thomas Walenta

...

Experience shows that most dependencies indeed are FS. The PMP does not only test for literally PMBoK, but requires some experience of the candidate. Making assumptions is a fact of life and certainly project management.

One testing strategy is to choose the least bad answer.
Another is to eliminate answers which are not deductible from the question (like the first 3).

We often struggle to accept an answer if we look for a logical deduction of it, without finding a stringent logic.

I sort of agree. We tend to schedule things FtS as it is both the least complex when managing schedules, and it has the least risk.

When tasks are done in parallel where the outcome of one may impact the other, there is risk that some change in one will require rework to the other. For example, if one team is working on tooling for a product based on a preliminary design, a design change may require altering or even scrapping the in-work tooling.

The No-Risk schedule often doesn't fit within the required timeframe so we have to either crash the schedule or fast-track it. When we start asking the question, "Do we really have to complete A before we can start B?" the answer is no, and we re-arrange items on the network diagram.

Although in an ideal world with little schedule pressure, we would like to assume most tasks are FtS, PMs are often pushed to reduce the total duration, at which point we start planning many activities in parallel, despite the inherent risks of working based on incomplete information that may change later.

Posted: Jul 9, 2020 12:51 PM

Rugpong Grachangpun Project Manager| A private Sector Company Bangkok, Bangkok, Thailand

a project manager learns that, due to supplier delays, task I should start 10 days after the start of task H. the project manager produces a network diagram where each task has three day duration, and re evaluates the critical path. what is the new critical path?
• A-B-C-D-E
• H-F-G
• H-C-D-E
• H-I-J

if I answering the question, I would remove 3 choices, cause, A does not mention task H, B and D do not mention I (if I have got 10 second left in the exam or insufficient information provided, I would do that way)

However, let break down the question
The question says:
1: H-I has 10 days lag SS logical relationship
2: each task need 3 days to complete
3: there are 2 tasks were mentioned

From my calculation, I would say, this path should take 3 days (I)+7 days (waiting time)+3 days (H) = 13 days to complete those 2 tasks.

However, I assume D is a correct answer. D has task J too. I would assume again that J take 3 days. Thus, the total duration to complete the path in D could take 13+3 = 16 days

In my point of view. this question needs may skills and assumption. it could take minutes to completed it. Time management should be critical

No one know if my calculation correct except PMI.

Posted: Jul 17, 2020 3:49 AM

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Critical Path Method

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