Schedule compression Question

Submitted by riyaz145 on Mon, 01/07/2013 - 14:01

 You are managing the project when you discover an estimated completion date will occur after the desired date. What should you do FIRST?

1. Add resources to the project

2. Evaluate the possibility of doing more activities in parallel.

3. Negotiate for more time

4. Explain to the customer that the project cannot be done on time.

 

Appreciate justification for the answer please...

Regards,

Riyaz

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PMP / CAPM exam Question bank
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sspawar

Mon, 01/07/2013 - 18:11

2---       first try for fast tracking, --- no impact on cost increase


             then go for resource adding, for crashing -- cost will increase

sunitaPMP

Mon, 01/07/2013 - 19:32

I think it should be option 4-Explain to the customer that the project cannot be done on time..

As question is asking what should be done FIRST.

 

miners

Mon, 01/07/2013 - 21:26

 Telling the customer is the last choice or step once u have anyzed that nothing can be done. Here you should analyze the corrective action is to fat track. You know that the impact is getting delayed now its time to develop options. Re estimating risks should be first choice but if its not listed next step is to fast tack of possible 

hope this helps!

sunitaPMP

Mon, 01/07/2013 - 19:32

I think it should be option 4-Explain to the customer that the project cannot be done on time..

As question is asking what should be done FIRST.

 

sunitaPMP

Mon, 01/07/2013 - 21:52

Hi Riyaz,

Can you let us know the correct answer.

 

Thanks

riyaz145

Tue, 01/08/2013 - 05:56

 The reason this Q was posted is...

Why option 2 ?

Pmbok IMHO does not say that fast tracking has to be used? Looked at page 156 kindly throw some light on to this..

Rita had tried to give some more insights on 7th edition page no 206.

However it ends on the 3rd paragraph by saying, fast tracking or crashing options if given on the exam, then the final justification shall be taken based on on the impact to the project.. The impact could either be on quality or on the cost or schedule which is not addressed in this Q!!

Appreciate the thought process of going for fast tracking please... Thanks in advance.

madunix (not verified)

Tue, 01/08/2013 - 06:55

 I go for option 2 [Evaluate] evaluate actual progress compared to planned progress inorder to add resources

aval

Tue, 01/08/2013 - 10:59

Answer is 2.  Try to see if fast tracking is possible or not.


Crashing can not be done without increasing cost while Fast Tracking may or may not impact cost and adds some risk at least.

nitinhamir5

Tue, 01/08/2013 - 19:09

You have already figured out that answer is from 1 or 2.


You also know pmbok doesn't talk about what's preference between fast track and crashing. And Rita says to choose the one with minimum impact.


With that in mind, look at first choice it says "add resouces to project" , means without any evaluation you are just going ahead and adding resources , which may or may not help.


But 2nd option says, "evaluate doing activities in parallel", I think word "evaluate" is key here and Project manager before taking any step should evaluate always before jumping on solution.


Thanks


Nitin

steelproject2012

Wed, 01/09/2013 - 12:52

IMHO:: When discovered the project is behind schedule, one should 1st investigate the possibility of using schedule compressions before contacting either Customer / Sponsor.

But even the compression options will not happen without evaluating the effects of such practise. As we know, Fast Tracking (on an activity or the critical path) has cost implications...will the additional resource come from within or outside the project; will the budget cover such cost? Crashing, on the other hand, has the potential to increase risks, and reworks.

B is the best answer.