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Defining Schedule Objectives

Setting clear and achievable objectives for the project schedule.

This topic explores how to establish specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART) objectives for the project schedule. It includes techniques for aligning schedule objectives with overall project goals and stakeholder needs.
5 minutes 5 Questions

Defining Schedule Objectives is a critical early step in project scheduling within the PMI Scheduling Professional framework. This process establishes clear targets for what the schedule must accomplish and how it will support project success. Schedule objectives articulate specific, measurable ou…

Concepts covered: Establishing Schedule Baselines, Developing a Work Breakdown Structure (WBS), Determining Activity Sequencing and Dependencies, Estimating Activity Durations, Defining Project Scope and Objectives, Resource Allocation and Leveling, Identifying Schedule Constraints and Assumptions, Establishing Schedule Monitoring and Control Procedures, Defining Milestones and Deliverables

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PMI-SP - Defining Schedule Objectives Example Questions

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Question 1

When analyzing schedule constraints for a construction project, you discover that work can only occur during daylight hours at certain times of the year due to environmental regulations. This type of constraint is best classified as:

Correct Answer: Calendar-based constraint

Calendar-based constraint is the correct answer because this scenario precisely describes a scheduling limitation that is tied to specific calendar periods and daylight availability. Calendar-based constraints are specific restrictions that affect when work can be performed based on time periods, seasons, or natural phenomena like daylight hours. These constraints are commonly used in project scheduling to account for predictable time-based limitations. The other options are less accurate because: A resource-dependent limitation would primarily focus on the availability of people, equipment, or materials, not natural daylight. An environmental regulatory restriction emphasizes the regulatory aspect rather than the fundamental time-based nature of the constraint. A time-window constraint with seasonal variations is close but overly complex - the simple term 'calendar-based constraint' better captures this daylight-dependent scheduling limitation.

Question 2

During schedule planning, you notice a pattern where critical path activities consistently show 20% more duration than planned. What is the most appropriate way to handle this in your scheduling assumptions?

Correct Answer: Include a 20% time buffer in future critical path estimates based on historical performance data

The best approach is to include a 20% time buffer in future critical path estimates based on historical performance data. Here's why: Correct Answer: Historical performance data showing a consistent 20% variance is valuable information that should be incorporated into future planning. This approach: - Uses actual data to improve estimation accuracy - Focuses specifically on critical path activities where the pattern was observed - Maintains schedule realism while accounting for demonstrated patterns Why other options are incorrect: Applying a 20% increase to all activities is an overreaction that would unnecessarily pad non-critical activities where the pattern hasn't been observed. Maintaining original estimates despite knowing they are consistently inaccurate goes against good project management practices and risks continued schedule overruns. Increasing resource allocation may not solve the duration issue and could lead to unnecessary cost increases. The pattern suggests this is an estimation issue, not a resource constraint problem.

Question 3

During schedule planning, you discover a dependency where certain materials must be maintained at a specific temperature for 48 hours before use. This represents what type of project schedule constraint?

Correct Answer: Technical Constraint

This is a Technical Constraint because: The temperature control requirement for the materials represents a technical specification that must be met before proceeding with the work. Technical constraints are limitations or requirements that stem from the technical nature of the work or materials involved. Why other options are incorrect: Environmental Process Limitation refers to external environmental factors affecting the project, not specific material handling requirements. Resource Availability Constraint with Temperature Control Requirements focuses on resource availability, but this scenario is about technical specifications, not resource availability issues. Material Storage Specification is too narrow - while storage is involved, the constraint affects the overall schedule and work sequence, making it a broader technical constraint.

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