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Scheduling Principles and Concepts

Fundamental theories and concepts in project scheduling.

This topic covers the basic principles and concepts of project scheduling, including the importance of scheduling in project management, key terminology, and the role of a scheduling professional in achieving project objectives.
5 minutes 5 Questions

Concepts covered: Critical Path Method (CPM), Work Breakdown Structure (WBS), Schedule Risk Analysis, Schedule Baseline, Resource Optimization Techniques, Schedule Network Analysis, Schedule Compression Techniques, Schedule Monitoring and Control, Precedence Diagramming Method (PDM), Resource Leveling and Resource Smoothing

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PMI-SP - Scheduling Principles and Concepts Example Questions

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Question 1

In a WBS for a software development project using rolling wave planning, what is the recommended approach for handling future sprints that are not yet fully defined?

Correct Answer: Create placeholder work packages that will be detailed as the project progresses

In rolling wave planning, the best practice is to use placeholder work packages for future work that has not yet been fully defined. This allows for progressive elaboration as more information becomes available. Placeholders maintain flexibility while still providing a framework for planning. As the project moves forward and requirements become clearer, these placeholders can be expanded into detailed work packages. The other answers are incorrect because: - Adding detailed specifications for all future sprints upfront contradicts the iterative nature of agile and rolling wave planning - Merging future sprints into existing ones would reduce planning flexibility and compromise the agile approach - Documenting all potential outcomes in advance goes against the adaptive nature of rolling wave planning and creates unnecessary complexity early in the project Rolling wave planning is specifically designed to accommodate uncertainty in future work while maintaining structure in near-term planning, making placeholder work packages the most appropriate solution.

Question 2

Which of the following describes the concept of a 'rolling wave planning' approach in WBS development?

Correct Answer: Progressive elaboration of work packages as more detailed information becomes available

Rolling wave planning is a progressive elaboration technique where near-term work is planned in detail, while future work is planned at a higher level. The correct answer accurately describes this concept by emphasizing the progressive elaboration of work packages as more detailed information becomes available. This reflects the core principle of rolling wave planning where planning detail increases over time. The other options are incorrect because: - Adding work packages due to stakeholder demands and market changes describes scope changes, not rolling wave planning - Sequential development based on predefined intervals misses the key aspect of progressive detail enhancement - Systematic breakdown based on technical specifications describes general WBS decomposition, not the time-based progressive nature of rolling wave planning Rolling wave planning acknowledges that early in the project, some work can only be outlined at a high level, and details are added as the project progresses and uncertainty decreases.

Question 3

When applying the rolling wave planning concept to a WBS for a software project, what best describes the relationship between high-level planning packages and detailed work packages?

Correct Answer: Planning packages are progressively elaborated into detailed work packages as more information becomes available

The rolling wave planning concept is a progressive elaboration technique where near-term work is planned in detail, while future work remains at a higher level. The best answer describes this concept perfectly: planning packages are progressively elaborated into detailed work packages as more information becomes available. This reflects the natural evolution of project planning where initial high-level components become more detailed over time. The other options are incorrect because: - Converting all planning packages to detailed work packages before execution contradicts the rolling wave concept, which is ongoing throughout the project - Maintaining equal levels of detail throughout the project lifecycle defeats the purpose of rolling wave planning, which allows for varying levels of detail based on timing and information availability - Keeping planning packages only at high level while limiting work packages to technical specifications misses the point of progressive elaboration and creates an artificial separation between planning and execution

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