Master Project Duration Estimation with PERT: A Comprehensive Guide

Question 1

Which assumption underpins the Program Evaluation and Review Technique (PERT)?

Accepted Answer

The project structure is acyclic.

Answer

Activities are mutually exclusive.

Answer

Activity durations are fixed.

Answer

The critical path is always unique and well-defined.

Question 2

What is the formula used in PERT to calculate the expected duration of an activity?

Accepted Answer

T_e = (O + 4M + P) / 6

Answer

T_e = (O + M + P) / 3

Answer

T_e = (O + 2M + P) / 4

Answer

T_e = (O + P) / 2

Question 3

Which of the following is NOT stated as an advantage of using PERT?

Accepted Answer

Guaranteed project completion by a specific deadline

Answer

Enhanced project planning and scheduling

Answer

Identification of critical activities

Answer

Reduced project uncertainty

Question 4

In PERT, what is the significance of the critical path?

Accepted Answer

It determines the minimum possible timeframe for project completion.

Answer

It identifies activities with the most scheduling flexibility.

Answer

It aids in resource allocation and leveling.

Answer

It provides information about the probability of completing the project within a certain time frame.

Question 5

Which technique is commonly used in PERT to reduce uncertainty in time estimates?

Accepted Answer

Monte Carlo simulation

Answer

Sensitivity analysis

Answer

Activity crashing

Answer

Earliest start scheduling

Question 6

Within a PERT network, which activity has the earliest possible start time?

Accepted Answer

An activity with no preceding activities

Answer

An activity with the least float

Answer

An activity with the greatest float

Answer

An activity with the longest duration

Question 7

What is the main purpose of a critical path diagram in PERT?

Accepted Answer

To visually represent the critical path and its impact on the project.

Answer

To calculate the likelihood of completing the project on time.

Answer

To identify activities requiring the most resources.

Answer

To create a sequence for project activities.

Question 8

In a PERT network, an activity with a float of zero is considered to be:

Accepted Answer

Critical

Answer

Critical and non-essential

Answer

Non-critical

Answer

Essential but not critical

Question 9

Which of the following is NOT an essential component of PERT?

Accepted Answer

Constraints

Answer

Activities

Answer

Events

Answer

Critical path

Question 10

The most likely duration of an activity is known as its:

Accepted Answer

Most likely time

Answer

Optimistic time

Answer

Pessimistic time

Answer

Expected time

Question 11

Which formula calculates the variance of an activity's duration?

Accepted Answer

(P^2 + M^2 + O^2) / 6

Answer

(O - M)^2 / 6

Answer

(M - P)^2 / 3

Answer

O + M + P / 3

Question 12

The critical path is defined as the:

Accepted Answer

Longest path through the network with the least amount of float

Answer

Shortest path through the network

Answer

Path with the most dependencies

Answer

Path with the least amount of dependencies

Question 13

Which of the following is NOT an advantage of using PERT?

Accepted Answer

Increased project uncertainty

Answer

Improved project planning and scheduling

Answer

Enhanced risk management

Answer

More accurate time estimates

Question 14

Float is the:

Accepted Answer

Amount of time an activity can be delayed without affecting the project deadline

Answer

Total time required to complete the project

Answer

Time between the start and end of an activity

Answer

Difference between the optimistic and pessimistic time estimates

Question 15

PERT is particularly useful for projects that are:

Accepted Answer

Complex and uncertain

Answer

Have well-defined activities and durations

Answer

Are small and simple

Answer

Require detailed scheduling

Question 16

What does the critical path in a PERT network represent?

Accepted Answer

The longest path through the network with the least amount of float

Answer

The shortest path through the network

Answer

The path with the most dependencies

Answer

The path with the least uncertainty

Question 17

What is the difference between a forward pass and a backward pass in PERT?

Accepted Answer

Forward pass calculates earliest start and finish times, while backward pass calculates latest start and finish times

Answer

Backward pass calculates earliest start and finish times, while forward pass calculates latest start and finish times

Answer

Both forward and backward passes calculate the same values

Answer

Only backward pass is used in PERT

Question 18

What is the primary advantage of using PERT over deterministic project scheduling techniques?

Accepted Answer

It acknowledges the inherent uncertainty in project durations and provides probabilistic estimates.

Answer

It provides more accurate estimates of project completion times.

Answer

It is more user-friendly and accessible.

Question 19

Which of the following is a limitation of PERT analysis?

Accepted Answer

It assumes that activities are independent and does not consider resource limitations.

Answer

It can only be applied to small and simple projects.

Answer

It is too complex and requires extensive data.

Question 20

What is the purpose of using the beta distribution in PERT?

Accepted Answer

To model the probability distribution of activity durations and incorporate variability into the analysis.

Answer

To calculate the critical path of the project network.

Answer

To determine the expected duration of each activity.

Question 21

Which of the following software applications is commonly used for conducting PERT analysis?

Accepted Answer

Microsoft Project and Primavera P6

Answer

Excel

Answer

Slack

Question 22

What is the difference between the most likely time (M) and the expected time (TE) in PERT?

Accepted Answer

The expected time considers the full range of possible durations, while the most likely time is a single point estimate.

Answer

The expected time is always greater than or equal to the most likely time.

Answer

The most likely time is always less than or equal to the expected time.

Question 23

Which of the following is a key assumption of PERT?

Accepted Answer

Activities are independent, and their durations can be represented by probability distributions.

Answer

The project network is always acyclic.

Answer

All activities have deterministic durations.

Question 24

What is the primary purpose of a PERT chart?

Accepted Answer

To visualize the sequence, dependencies, and time estimates of activities in a project.

Answer

To calculate the critical path and project duration.

Answer

To identify the resources required for each activity.