Arizona State University (ASU) CON 495 Construction Planning and Scheduling Exam 1 Practice

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• What metric is most directly affected by negative cash flow?
• What is the primary purpose of a 4-week look-ahead schedule?
• Which statement identifies when an activity is on the critical path?
• True or False: There are advantages to stipulating liquidated damages in an owner-contractor agreement.
• What is one common cause of delays in museum construction projects?
• Which statement about the critical path is supported by the material?
• What is the process of window-based delay analysis?
• What does a network diagram primarily display?
• If CPI = 1.2, what does that imply?
• How are overtime and extended work shifts used in schedule compression, and what constraints apply?
• In the context of linear scheduling, which statement is true?
• What are common activity duration estimation methods (analogous, parametric, bottom-up) and when to use each?
• Museum commissioning is significantly shorter than that for multi-family residential projects. Which of the following is true?
• Planning and scheduling are synonyms.
• In a Start-to-Start (SS) relationship, what must occur?
• Finish-to-Start (FS) means
• Which of the following statements about the Cost Performance Index (CPI) is true?
• In CPM, what are forward pass and backward pass, and what primary outputs do they generate?
• Why might the critical path change during execution?
• What is the difference between a logical diagram (precedence diagram) and a Gantt chart?
• Which of the following factors can cause the critical path to shift?
• What is the critical path in a CPM network?
• What is total float in CPM?
• Compute Schedule Variance if EV = 100 and PV = 120.
• Bar charts are popular in the construction industry because they are easy for non-construction personnel to interpret.
• Which SPI value corresponds to EV = 90 and PV = 100?
• How is the minimum project duration determined in CPM?
• If an activity has 0 days of total float, this activity has how many days of free float?
• How should external dependencies be handled during scheduling and claims analysis?
• What mathematical calculation measures the amount of variance from the average of a set of historical production rate?
• How can you identify a near-critical path in a CPM network?
• Which EVM metric represents the difference between earned value and planned value?
• To estimate how long it will take to erect a 105,000 GSF, 2-story steel structure, you should consult which trade contractor?
• What is a resource calendar and how does it influence scheduling?
• Vac equals
• Which EV metrics are used to tie progress to the schedule?
• What does Earned Value (EV) represent?
• If an activity with 2 days of float is delayed by 3 days, the project will be delayed by how many days?
• What is one of the primary functions of surge tanks in a booster pump station?
• The relationship in which a predecessor must be completed before the successor can start is known as
• In a crashing analysis, what is the crash cost slope?
• Which action would typically improve a project's cash flow without altering the project outcome?
• In relation to planning, scheduling is the documentation of the planning.
• What is the difference between crashing and fast-tracking, and what risks are associated with each?
• Which statement describes an advantage of linear scheduling?
• Which project type is least likely to be scheduled using a linear schedule?
• General Contractors are never required to make cash payments for services related to a construction project prior to being paid by the Owner.
• Which of the following can be a constraint to a successor in a project schedule?
• If SV is positive, what does it indicate?
• What defines the critical path in a CPM network?
• A Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) is?
• Total Float refers to the amount of time a task can be delayed without delaying the project's completion date.
• What is a dummy activity, and why is it used in scheduling?
• Which statement correctly defines PERT and when it is preferred over CPM?
• Which financial indicator reflects when a contractor's expenses exceed income during a reporting period?
• What is the difference between smoothing and leveling, and when would you apply each?
• Describe two common schedule compression techniques and when you would apply them.
• Examples of construction plans include safety plans and logistics plans.
• What was the PCL-selected method for installing the 72" suction pipe on the City of Phoenix pump station?
• Which statement best describes the main difference between resource leveling and resource smoothing?
• In CCPM, what is the purpose of a buffer?
• Which CPM relationship is defined where the successor's finish is tied to the predecessor's start?
• If production rate is quantity divided by duration, which change will increase production rate?
• What is the primary focus of a look-ahead schedule in construction?
• What is Time Impact Analysis (TIA) and when is it used in construction scheduling?
• What is a primary reason a general contractor uses the same schedule with both owner and trade partners?
• Why is maintaining a current schedule and weekly progress tracking important in construction projects?
• Which statement accurately describes Free Float?
• Given PV = 100, EV = 120, and AC = 110, calculate SV, SPI, and interpret the schedule and cost status.
• If noncritical activities are delayed due to resource constraints and the project duration increases, what scheduling concept is demonstrated?
• When planning kitchen equipment, what is a critical consideration?
• What is the critical path in CPM scheduling?
• What is a baseline schedule and why is progress measured against it?
• Which statement about float in a CPM network is true?
• In a Start-to-Start relationship, which description is correct?
• In the described network, what is the earliest start for E?
• What do the CPM forward pass and backward pass produce, and what information do you obtain from them?
• In CPM, which of the following is a typical type of precedence relationship?
• What is meant by resource overallocation and how does it affect CPM scheduling?
• True or False: There are advantages to stipulating liquidated damages in an owner-contractor agreement.
• Describe the significance of the slope in a linear schedule.
• Which data item is not typically collected during a schedule progress update?
• List common relationship types in CPM and briefly describe each.
• Which statement best describes the effect of a steeper slope in a linear schedule?
• Explain the basic concept of a time-cost trade-off and how you would approach optimizing it on a critical path.
• Earned Value Management integrates with the schedule by linking progress to the timetable using what three metrics?
• What is the purpose of a Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) in construction scheduling?
• What is the purpose of Time Impact Analysis steps, such as inserting a change into the model and recalculating?
• The lead time for electrical gear for low rise office projects is typically how long?
• Mesa Corporate Center is 108,000 GSF and 2 stories. What is the roof area?
• How do hard and soft constraints differ in scheduling?
• Given ES = 5 days, EF = 6 days, LS = 9 days, and LF = 10 days, what is the total float of the activity?
• What is a recommended approach for engaging subcontractors during the initial phases of a project?
• Which of the following statements is true about long-lead items?
• What is the role of subcontractors in the initial phases of a construction project?
• If a contractor experiences negative cash flow, which scheduling action might be considered to improve liquidity?
• What is the purpose of a baseline in project scheduling?
• Explain resource leveling and resource smoothing and how they differ.
• Explain the concept of a proxy activity and when it is used.
• A delay in payments from clients would most directly cause which?
• What is meant by lead and lag in scheduling?
• What is the purpose of milestone events in a schedule?
• What data should be collected during a schedule progress update?
• Which of the following best defines a baseline schedule update?
• If the first coat finishes on Friday and it requires 3 days to dry before applying the second coat, and the work week is 5 days, on which day would you start the second coat?
• What is the significance of a path with zero float and maximum duration in a CPM network?
• In project cash flow analysis, what term describes a period when expenses exceed income?
• What is the difference between a precedence diagram and a bar chart?
• Which party needs to monitor negative cash flow on a project?
• How does resource leveling affect the critical path?
• Lead time is defined as
• Milestones, such as topping off the steel structure, are best termed as:
• Which formulas correctly define Total Float and Free Float?
• What is the critical path in CPM and how is it identified?
• If a schedule variance is negative (SV < 0) and CPI > 1, how would you interpret the project status?
• In schedule delay analysis, what is essential to attribute delay reliably to a change?
• What term is used to describe the process of ensuring that construction equipment operates according to specifications?
• Which item is typically shown in a 4-week look-ahead schedule?
• What is a basic approach to producing a resource-constrained schedule?
• How many standard working days are there in a month?
• What does an S-curve communicate in project performance?
• An integrated schedule includes which of the following?
• Baseline schedule is used to anchor performance measurement against which reference?
• Which formulas define Schedule Variance (SV) and Schedule Performance Index (SPI) in earned value management?
• On average, how many weeks are there in a month?
• Explain the difference between an 'as-planned' schedule and an 'as-built' schedule.
• What is the name of the technique that involves installing underground pipes without digging an open trench?
• What is Time Impact Analysis and what does it involve?
• On the critical path, delaying an activity will have what effect on the overall project duration?
• Which factors should be included when defining activity durations in CPM?
• Finish-to-Start vs Start-to-Start: which statement correctly describes their effect on start dates?
• Which EVM metric is EV divided by AC?
• In schedule delay analysis for a claim or change order, which method is used to quantify the schedule impact?
• Which CPM relationship constrains the finish date of the successor to coincide with the finish date of the predecessor?
• What type of projects is a linear schedule primarily used for?
• Which technique preserves the critical path while adjusting resource usage?
• Which relationship means the successor finishes after the predecessor starts?
• In earned value management, which metrics are used to measure progress against the baseline?
• Which statistical measure captures the spread of historical production rates around their mean?
• Finish-to-Finish (FF) means
• Free Float is defined as the time a task can be delayed without impacting the start date of its succeeding tasks.
• Which technique is used to develop a resource-constrained schedule?
• An integrated schedule includes both pre-construction and construction activities.
• Which term describes a temporary shortfall in cash on a project?
• What does a CPM network primarily depict?
• In CPM, what does TF represent?
• In conventional CPM scheduling, which statement is true?
• What is Baseline Change Control and why is it important in scheduling?
• What is CPM used for in construction planning?
• What is window analysis in delay analysis, and when would you use it?
• Which statement correctly defines total float and free float?
• What does a CPI value greater than 1 indicate?
• Which statement correctly differentiates lead and lag in schedule logic?
• With SV equal to zero (on schedule) and CPI less than 1, which statement best describes the project status?
• If an activity has 0 days of total float, its free float is 0 days.
• To calculate hours per SF when given a SF per hour historical rate, schedulers use what math function?
• Access to labor, financing, environmental issues, and completion of predecessors can be constraints to a successor.
• What best defines a resource-constrained schedule?
• Which scenario best describes a negative cash flow period?
• Which equation defines VAC?
• What is the purpose of resource smoothing?
• Which of the following factors influence activity duration estimates in construction?
• Differentiate hard logic constraints from soft logic with examples.
• How many standard working days are there in a month?
• In the described network with A(4) → B(6) and C(3) independent; D(2) depends on B and C; E(4) depends on D, what is the earliest finish (EF) of activity B?
• What is the purpose of a network diagram in CPM?
• Which formula defines EAC when remaining work is performed at the current CPI?
• A disadvantage of a bar chart is that it does not show the interrelationships between activities.
• Total Float is defined as
• Which statement about FS and FF scheduling relationships is true?
• If a successor is Finish-to-Start with a predecessor, and the successor has 2 days of free float, the predecessor's free float is ...
• Crossed lines on a linear schedule indicate a violation of which relationship?
• Which statement best distinguishes lead and lag in construction scheduling?
• In a Monte Carlo schedule risk analysis, which items are typically identified as risk drivers?
• How do calendar days differ from working days in scheduling?
• How can resource leveling affect the critical path?
• Which statement accurately describes management reserve?
• Unless negotiated otherwise, the owner "owns" float among non-critical activities.
• Crash duration limit is?
• If a successor is Start-to-Start with a predecessor, and the successor has 2 days of free float, the predecessor has how many days of free float?
• How do you compute LS and LF for an activity with multiple successors?
• How are external dependencies treated in a CPM network?
• Define crash cost and crash duration.
• What is the primary purpose of the CPM forward pass?
• Which statement about cash flow is true?
• Which schedule relationship describes that the successor cannot start until the predecessor finishes?
• What is the purpose of a baseline schedule?
• Why can commissioning processes differ in length between office buildings and museums?
• In a linear scheduling context, which statement about linear scheduling is true?
• What is a Schedule Risk Register and how is it used?
• Distinguish schedule float from activity slack. Which statement is correct?
• Which cash flow management technique involves deferring non-critical expenditures?
• How would you use Monte Carlo simulation to assess schedule risk?
• Planning is more difficult than scheduling.
• In a simple chain A (3 days) → B (4 days) → C (2 days) with a single path, what are the ES, EF, LS, LF, and total float for Activity B?
• When estimating, it is more reliable to use a set of historical production rates with a high standard deviation.
• If an activity has EF = 7 days and the minimum earliest start of its successors is 10 days, what is the free float?
• What is a typical lead time for electrical gear for low rise office projects?
• If a successor is Finish-to-Start with a predecessor, and the successor has 2 days of free float, the predecessor's free float is?
• Which statement best differentiates Activity-On-Node (AON) and Activity-On-Arrow (AOA) diagrams, and when is AON preferred for CPM?
• If an activity on the critical path is delayed by 3 days, the project duration will increase by:
• In which contract model does the owner usually engage with a contractor when the design is about 20% complete?
• Approximately how many weeks are there in a typical month?
• What is a true characteristic of milestones in a schedule?
• Which metric is most directly affected by negative cash flow?
• On the critical path, what is the relationship between early and late start and finish times?
• Which document would you primarily review to forecast future cash inflows and outflows on a project?
• In contract scheduling, which is the primary benefit of aligning payment milestones with cash collections?
• How does Monte Carlo simulation relate to schedule risk?
• What is the purpose of a milestone chart in project scheduling?
• What is a reserve in a schedule, and how are contingency and management reserve used?
• Which metric would you review to forecast future cash inflows and outflows on a project?
• Which item is identified as a long-lead item in construction project planning?
• Which statement defines the Cost Performance Index (CPI)?
• What is a hammock activity and when is it used?
• Resource leveling can affect the project duration by:
• What is a float path?
• Production rate is equal to:
• How do CCPM principles differ from conventional CPM scheduling?
• Which statement correctly describes scheduling in relation to planning?
• How do you compute ES and EF for an activity with multiple predecessors?
• Milestones on a project are best described as events with zero duration.
• For a two-story building with 108,000 GSF, what is the roof area?
• In an AON diagram, how is activity duration represented?
• What happens if resource leveling delays critical path activities?