1. d.

15

The total duration for the path B-C-D-E-I is 15. The duration of any

other path in the network is less than 15. You calculate the critical path

in this question through the critical path method. You are doing so to

estimate the minimum project duration and the amount of schedule

flexibility in the network paths. To do so, determine the early start,

early finish, late start, and late finish for all the activities by performing

a forward and backward pass. The critical path represents the longest

path in the network, which determines the shortest possible project

duration. The early and late start and finish dates are not the schedule

but show the time period when the activity could be executed. The

critical path method calculates the amount of scheduling flexibility on

logical network paths. The critical path method critical path normally

is one that has zero total float on the critical path; note the word

"normally". Activities on the critical path then are critical path activities.

In the PMBOK, recognize the way PMI® has elected to show

the critical path. PMI adds a day to the forward path as in Task B, it

starts with a six and should be a five; the same is the case with Task

C. It should start with a 5. The same is how the backward path is

displayed. If you develop schedules as has just been described, it is the

correct way to do so and is shown in the examples in these questions.

However, for the purpose of the PMP exam, recognize the PMBOK

approach may be used. [Planning]

PMI®, PMBOK® Guide, 2017, 210–211

PMI® PMP Examination Content Outline, 2015, Planning, 6, Task 4

66 ◾ PMP® Exam Preparation: Test Questions, Practice Test, and Simulated Exam
2. c. 1

Float = (late finish – early finish) or

(late start – early start)

Activity G LF = 12 (12 – 11) = (1)

EF = 11

LS = 7 (7 – 6) = (1)

ES = 6

F
1

0 2

4 6

6 10

6 10

10 11

10 11

10 13

10 13

13 15

13 15

11 12
12 13

6 11

7 12

0 6

0667

11 12

[Planning]

Legend

ES EF

LS LF

Float is often called slack. The critical path activities have zero float.

Positive total float is caused if the backward path is calculated from a

schedule constraint that is later than the early finish date calculated by

the forward path. Negative total float is caused if a constraint on the late

date is violated by duration and logic. Once the total float for a network

path has been calculated then the free float, or the amount of time an

activity can be delayed without delaying the early start of a successor or

violating a schedule constraint, can be determined.

PMI®, PMBOK® Guide, 2017, 210–211

PMI® PMP Examination Content Outline, 2015, Planning, 5, Task 4

Project Schedule Management ◾ 67

3. a. –1

The imposed finish date becomes the late finish for Activity I. The late

dates for each activity need to be recalculated. The dates for Activity E

become—

5
F

0 2

3 5

6 10

5 9

10 11

9 10

10 13

9 12

13 15

12 14
11 12

11 12

6 11

6 11

–1 5

0667

10 11

[Planning]

Imposed

finish

time

ES = 10

EF = 13

LS = 9

LF = 12

Total float = LS – ES or 9 – 10 = (–1) or

LS – EF or 12 – 13 = (–1)

PMI®, PMBOK® Guide, 2017, 210–211

PMI® PMP Examination Content Outline, 2015, Planning, 6, Task 4

4. b. 11

The late dates for all activities need to be recalculated given the

changed duration. Activity G’s revised late dates are—

0 2

5 7

6 10

7 11

10 11

11 12

10 13

11 14

14 16

14 16

11 14

11 14

6 11
6 11

0 6

0667

10 11

1
H

[Planning]

LS = 6

LF = 11

PMI®, PMBOK® Guide, 2017, 210–211

PMI® PMP Examination Content Outline, 2015, Planning, 6, Task 4

68 ◾ PMP® Exam Preparation: Test Questions, Practice Test, and Simulated Exam

5. b. A milestone

A milestone is a significant point or event in the project. Milestones

may be required by the project sponsor, customer, or other external

factors, such as those required by contract, for the completion of certain

deliverables. They are similar to schedule activities, with the same

structure and objectives, but they have zero duration as they represent

a moment in time. A milestone list is an output of Define Activities.

[Planning]

PMI®, PMBOK® Guide, 2017, 186

PMI® PMP Examination Content Outline, 2015, Planning, 6, Task 4

6. a. Lag

For example, in a finish-to-start dependency with a 20-day lag, the

successor activity cannot start until 20 days after the predecessor has

finished. A lag is the amount of time that a successor activity will be

delayed with respect to a predecessor activity. The project management

team determines those dependencies that may require a lead or a lag

to best define the logical relationship. Keep in mind that leads [the

amount of time a successor activity can be advanced with respect to

a predecessor activity] and lags should not replace schedule logic, and

their use should be documented. [Planning]

PMI®, PMBOK® Guide, 2017, 192–193

PMI® PMP Examination Content Outline, 2015, Planning, 6, Task 4