Project Time Management

Correct Answer: Progressive elaboration

The correct answer is 'Progressive Elaboration'. This is a project management technique that involves continuously refining and expanding the project plan as more detailed and specific information and more accurate estimates become available as the project progresses. This is appropriate for a situation where the specifics of the tasks involved are uncertain. The 'Precedence Diagramming Method' and 'Critical Path Method' are used more for scheduling and timings within a project, after the tasks have been clearly defined. And while a 'Gantt Chart' is useful for visualizing a project schedule and understanding the relationships between tasks, it assumes that the tasks themselves have already been defined.

Correct Answer: Use the Decomposition technique to break down the complex activities

The best answer is to 'Use the Decomposition technique to break down the complex activities'. This is because the decomposition process is all about breaking down a task into smaller, manageable parts, which can make complex activities easier to understand. The other options are not the best. 'Assume that they will understand the activities as the project progresses' is not a best practice in project management, as assumptions should be minimized. 'Use the Critical Path Method to define the project activities' is not the most suitable since CPM is used primarily for scheduling, not for defining and understanding activities. Finally, simply 'Rewriting the WBS for clarity' would not necessarily improve understanding without other insights or techniques, such as decomposition, being applied.

Correct Answer: Revisit the activity definition and adjust the sequence accordingly.

When managing projects, adjustments to the project plan often need to be made due to unforeseen factors. In this scenario, the task of getting clearance takes longer than estimated. The most efficient and closest method to the principles of project management would be to revisit the activity definition aligned to this task and adjust the sequence accordingly. This allows for the changes in the project schedule to be addressed without compromising the integrity of the project. The other options are not viable for various reasons. Asking the client to get the clearance can lead to delays and act as an unprofessional practice, excluding the clearance process from your project activities is not possible as it appears to be a crucial task, and proceeding with the project without waiting for clearance isn't legal and ethical which can jeopardize the whole project.