Couple of questions on float.

Submitted by Prakash999 on Sat, 12/15/2012 - 07:20

Reg Project float.

 

Can someone help me understand if a project manager can build project float? I've encountered a practice question that talks about building project float of x weeks., and the key (answer) of this question seems to imply that this is a scheduling error.

Rita Mulcahy says Project float is the amount of time project can be delayed without delaying the 

(1) imposed date required by customer or management OR

(2) previously committed by project manager.

 

Does part (2) of the definition above mean that proejct manager can commit to a date that can inherently go beyond the "actual calculated end date" or is it trying to say that as the project progresses - there may be a different that got built up?  Will deliberately building a project float be called an error (unethical?)?

 

Reg free float:

1) Will there be questions on exam needing calculatin of free float? 

2) Given that an activity can start somewhere between "early start" and " late start" calculated on the network diagram - how can an activity be delayed without impacting the early start of next activity? Even if the activity starts on its scheduled early start, its estimated duration is taken into consideration for calculated the early start of successor activity. So , a single time unit delay in "starting" an activity will definitely impact the early start of next activity. May be i am misunderstanding the concept. Can someone help clarifying this ?

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sspawar

Sun, 12/16/2012 - 00:59

As per PMBOK , PROJECT BUFFER is a term used in CCM (critical chain method) - it is a reserve time - contengency or sometimes management.( it becomes at the end of last activity - means at critical path also).


By mistake Rita is using this term as a Project Float ( in place of Project Buffer)


So it is not unethical.


Now in CPM (critical path method) -- as per PMBOK , there project float or project buffer is not any term. There is 2 terms called, Total Float or Float and Free Float.And keep in mind, these are never be at critical path or at the end of last activity.


Here reserves are added with each activity in built. (no seperatly shown like ccm/buffers)


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


 Your second query at Free Float and Total Float --  I think you should refer books, study well- You will get the answer. Right now your concepts are at preliminary stage.


 


 

Prakash999

Sun, 12/16/2012 - 04:40

 @sspawar

thank you very much for your response. I discovered some gaps while taking practice tests and trying to get them clarified through this forum. glad to see some thoughtful responses .

reg the question i had on project float : i picked it from chirsotopher scordo test 8, q 25:

i am not sure if i can reproduce the question here in its entirity - please advise, if its ok to copy/paste the question here. , i will do that.

In summary : the question seems to imply that there's a delay of 2 weeks for resource acquisiition and a project mgr has a built in 3 weeks of float into the project schedule.  Correct answer seems to say that there's a scheduling error committed by project manager and hence a notification has to be sent out to stakeholders.

would seek your thoughts on this question and the answer provided.

 

Prakash999

Sun, 12/16/2012 - 04:40

 @sspawar

thank you very much for your response. I discovered some gaps while taking practice tests and trying to get them clarified through this forum. glad to see some thoughtful responses .

reg the question i had on project float : i picked it from chirsotopher scordo test 8, q 25:

i am not sure if i can reproduce the question here in its entirity - please advise, if its ok to copy/paste the question here. , i will do that.

In summary : the question seems to imply that there's a delay of 2 weeks for resource acquisiition and a project mgr has a built in 3 weeks of float into the project schedule.  Correct answer seems to say that there's a scheduling error committed by project manager and hence a notification has to be sent out to stakeholders.

would seek your thoughts on this question and the answer provided.

 

sspawar

Sun, 12/16/2012 - 14:13

In this question, Scordo's intension is that, PM has revised Authorized schedule by his own wish and not adopting proper, process of changes (Change in schedule - adding a project float/buffer).


So he (scordo) finds that you should take it as an ethical violation.


Where Rita's verdicts are that project float/buffer will be there but authorized or duly approved.

Prakash999

Sun, 12/16/2012 - 17:57

@sspawar

got it now. thanks for clarifying this question . i've interpreted this question as project manager has built the project float while developing the plan ( rather than a change , all decided and updated herself without approvals ) . it makes sense now with your clarification. was there a nuance that i have missed in understanding this question clearly? tried looking again for any keyword, which i am unable to find. After reading your response, it perfectly fits the question & answer though. do you have an advise in interpreting such nuance ? 

Prakash999

Sun, 12/16/2012 - 17:57

@sspawar

got it now. thanks for clarifying this question . i've interpreted this question as project manager has built the project float while developing the plan ( rather than a change , all decided and updated herself without approvals ) . it makes sense now with your clarification. was there a nuance that i have missed in understanding this question clearly? tried looking again for any keyword, which i am unable to find. After reading your response, it perfectly fits the question & answer though. do you have an advise in interpreting such nuance ? 

Prakash999

Sun, 12/16/2012 - 18:15

dear @sspawar

 I've given the following exams so far:

PMP Fastrack : 74%

After studying for a couple of weeks from Fastrack, 

Super PMP : 83 %

Oliver 175 : 74%

Scordo Sets 1-10 : Range of 80-90% 

Farndales : Communication : 73% , Risk : 82% , Procurement : 83% , Integration : 82%

Scordo Set 15 : 80% , but i find this set tougher than all of sets 1-10. Wasn't very confident while doing this exam, but just chose the best answer based on the knowledge gathered so far. Looks like i have some ground to cover.

Planning for :

1. Kem Heldman 

2. PMStudy (free)

3. Prepcast Quant 105 Questions

4. Scordo Remanining Sets. ( all between Set #10 and Set #20 )

5. Farndales - Remaining sections.

Have studied Rita Mulcahy twice., except Risk & Procurement - both of which i read thrice . I also read PMBOK for Risk & Procurement. Yet to touch PMBOk for other chapters.

I am yet to take date for the exam, but planning to take exam very soon (before end of december). Can you help me assess my progress?

should i assess my readines from any other practice tests? or should i focus on studying PMBOK ?

Prakash999

Sun, 12/16/2012 - 18:17

dear @sspawar

 I've given the following exams so far:

PMP Fastrack : 74%

After studying for a couple of weeks from the date of exam above (Fastrack PMP), 

Fastrack Super PMP : 83 %

Oliver 175 : 74%

Scordo Sets 1-10 : Range of 80-90% 

Farndales : Communication : 73% , Risk : 82% , Procurement : 83% , Integration : 82%

Scordo Set 15 : 80% , but i find this set tougher than all of sets 1-10. Wasn't very confident while doing this exam, but just chose the best answer based on the knowledge gathered so far. Looks like i have some ground to cover.

Planning for :

1. Kem Heldman 

2. PMStudy (free)

3. Prepcast Quant 105 Questions

4. Scordo Remanining Sets. ( all between Set #10 and Set #20 )

5. Farndales - Remaining sections.

Have studied Rita Mulcahy twice., except Risk & Procurement - both of which i read thrice . I also read PMBOK for Risk & Procurement. Yet to touch PMBOk for other chapters.

I am yet to take date for the exam, but planning to take exam very soon (before end of december). Can you help me assess my progress?

should i assess my readines from any other practice tests? or should i focus on studying PMBOK ?

sspawar

Mon, 12/17/2012 - 01:02

You are doing well. Personally, I do not feel, that such performance requires any guidance.


Though, You may try for additional 5-6 online mock tests of different sites, many free standard sites are available. By this way, you will be familiar with the varity of the patterns, and KAs.


PMZilla tough 275 may give you a different insights.


Last 6-7 days, concentrate on revision at pmbok many important topics, notes, ittos, weak areas etc.


Good Luck

Prakash999

Mon, 12/17/2012 - 07:52

dear @sspawar

thank you for the words of encouragement, and advise. although i have a fair idea of weak areas - i havent made any notes for review. planning to use rajesh nair's notes for review. since i havent read pmbok ( other than risk & procurement ) - am just trying to see whats the optimal plan . trying to go through communications (as i've scored low 70s in % from farndales ) . Incidentally while reading communications chapter, i realiezed pmbok authors didn't really have a good written output in this book. there's some really valuable information hidden in pmbok , which i started enjoying, but the presentation format is barrier.

i've added pmzilla tough 275, examcentral, andy crowe (insite) into my must complete set of questions before exam.

how do you rate simplilearn. ?

thanks again. 

Prakash999

Mon, 12/17/2012 - 07:52

dear @sspawar

thank you for the words of encouragement, and advise. although i have a fair idea of weak areas - i havent made any notes for review. planning to use rajesh nair's notes for review. since i havent read pmbok ( other than risk & procurement ) - am just trying to see whats the optimal plan . trying to go through communications (as i've scored low 70s in % from farndales ) . Incidentally while reading communications chapter, i realiezed pmbok authors didn't really have a good written output in this book. there's some really valuable information hidden in pmbok , which i started enjoying, but the presentation format is barrier.

i've added pmzilla tough 275, examcentral, andy crowe (insite) into my must complete set of questions before exam.

how do you rate simplilearn. ?

thanks again. 

sspawar

Mon, 12/17/2012 - 09:56

PMBOK is a standard and not any explanatory publication.


PMP 100% depends on PMBOK. 


There are few examples also who say - they never opened PMBOk and has been passed.


In my opinion everybody must go through.


I highlight its important parts:



  • Matrix organization -table and breakdown figures

  • selection of projects

  • portfolio-program-project

  • pmo

  • project cycle

  • PM

  • SOW

  • initiation

  • EEF

  • OPA

  • Collect requirements - all

  • Define scope, verify scope

  • Configuration Management System

  • Every line of Closing process group 3.7,4.6 -ito

  • forecasting methods

  • Quality - complete

  • Communication - complete

  • HR - complete

  • Risk - complete

  • Procurement - complete

  • understanding flow diagrams of pmbok

Simplilearn has situation based questions.Some people like, some do not.


Mostly like pmstudy, pmp4sure. many others.

Prakash999

Mon, 12/17/2012 - 10:49

 thank you @sspawar. i started enjoying pmbok (though extremely slow flow due it its packaging) and would give it my best shot to go through it, have been getting the wrong answers reviewed from pmbok lately. (used to do with Rita )

have marked the important topics you pointed out, and will make sure to go through all of them, apart from Glossary

Prakash999

Mon, 12/17/2012 - 10:49

 thank you @sspawar. i started enjoying pmbok (though extremely slow flow due it its packaging) and would give it my best shot to go through it, have been getting the wrong answers reviewed from pmbok lately. (used to do with Rita )

have marked the important topics you pointed out, and will make sure to go through all of them, apart from Glossary

Prakash999

Mon, 12/17/2012 - 10:53

Have just got an answer wrong related to presentation of project progress to top management :

Rita seems to suggest use of milestone charts

while PMBOK suggests use of bar-charts for presentation to management.

Although i understand PMBOK will become "the source" as far as exam is concerned., just curious on when would the milestone charts really be used? Is Rita wrong in her recommendation or i might've missed some nuance?

Prakash999

Mon, 12/17/2012 - 10:54

Have just got an answer wrong related to presentation of project progress to top management :

Rita seems to suggest use of milestone charts

while PMBOK suggests use of bar-charts for presentation to management.

Although i understand PMBOK will become "the source" as far as exam is concerned., just curious on when would the milestone charts really be used? Is Rita wrong in her recommendation or i might've missed some nuance?

Prakash999

Mon, 12/17/2012 - 11:06

 my posts are getting published twice, for some reason, apologies.

Prakash999

Mon, 12/17/2012 - 11:06

 my posts are getting published twice, for some reason, apologies.

sspawar

Mon, 12/17/2012 - 16:27

Actually the clarification is:


For Middle managemnt or day to day meeting/frequent meetings - Bar chart will be the appropriate presentation platform. it will be used in performance reports.


While in higher or Executive or top or senior management, or  key stakeholders or high level meeting -Milestone chart will be the appropriate tool for presentation.


PMBOK says Bar charts are frequently used in management meetings, - High level management meetings are not be called frequently.


Second thing - High level management meetings have only dicussion over high levl activities - main deliverables, and not on every activities. And PMBOK says for major deliverables and high level interfaces, Milestone charts are used.


You know bar charts are defined by PMBOk as having every activity end and start dates.


Will  you feel comfortable to present a book -bunch of activities, ahead your group directors, will they be interested to see this ?


ans : No, they will like to see a single sheet.


 It does not mean - PMBOK is wrong. PMBOK is last and above all. and PMBOK is always right.

Prakash999

Tue, 12/18/2012 - 17:23

 dear @sspawar, agree . its better to keep to PMBOK defn :)

Prakash999

Tue, 12/18/2012 - 17:23

 dear @sspawar, agree . its better to keep to PMBOK defn :)