Help please for this question from Oliver Lehmann

Can someone help me with this question? 

 

Q94-Together with your team, you applied three-point estimation on a critical path

which consists of two activities.

The following duration uncertainties are all calculated assuming a ±3sigma 

confidence interval.

The duration uncertainty—defined as pessimistic minus optimistic estimate—of 

the first activity is 18 days; the second estimate has an uncertainty of 24 days. 

Applying the PERT formula for paths, what is the duration uncertainty of the 

entire path?

o 21 days

o 30 days

o 42 days

o No statement is possible from the information given

 

As mentioned in the question,

Uncertainity = Tp-To

 

We know that

Sigma (Standard deviation or SD) = (Tp-To)/6

 

For activity 1, SD = 18/6 = 3       => Variance = 9    (V = SD^2)

For activity 2, SD = 24/6 = 4       => Variance = 16 

 

Remember, to calculate standard deviation for the complete path,

SD = sqrt(V1 + V2)

SD = sqrt(16+9)

SD = 5

 

Duration Uncertainity, (Tp-To) = 6 * SD = 30 days

 

Hope, I was clear.

 

 Thanks for the answering.Where can I find these details? in PMBOK ?

 

 

 

I don't think PMBOK covers this in detail. Refer Rita's PMP Exam Prep (Pg 191/192)

Also, Harwinder has written very good series on PERT and Three-point Estimates

http://www.deepfriedbrainproject.com/2010/08/standard-deviation-project-estimates.html