AACE International Planning & Scheduling Professional (PSP) AACE-PSP Exam Questions

Answer : B

Activity Duration in Crashed Schedule:

For Activity 2002, the crashed duration is 28 days (refer to the table).

Start Date:

The start date is August 12, 2001.

Adding the Duration:

Starting from August 12, add 28 days. Ensure to account for weekends or holidays if the calendar used excludes them.

Finish Date Calculation:

Starting on August 12 and counting 28 days gives the finish date as September 8, 2001.

Answer : B

Resource-leveling is used when resource constraints such as labor, materials, or equipment availability might prevent schedule logic from being followed.

Option A references float-banking, unrelated to resource leveling.

Option C suggests never performing leveling unless required, which overlooks the need to address actual resource limitations.

Option D is incorrect as a resource-loaded schedule may still need leveling for optimization.

Resource management principles in the PSP Study Guide discuss when and why to apply resource leveling.

Answer : B

Critical Path Characteristics:

The critical path is the longest path through the network, defining the minimum project completion time. It cannot be the shortest path.

PSP Study Guide Reference:

Critical path analysis emphasizes that it is determined by network logic and represents the chain of activities controlling the project duration.

Analysis for Selection:

Option A, C, and D: Accurately describe the critical path.

Option B: Incorrect; the critical path is not the shortest path.

Conclusion: The correct answer is B, as the critical path is the longest path, not the shortest.

Answer : D

Shape of Cumulative BCWS:

The Budgeted Cost of Work Scheduled (BCWS) reflects a cumulative expenditure curve over time, typically shaped like an 'S'.

Explanation of the S-Curve:

Initially slow expenditure, acceleration during peak work, and tapering off near completion.

Verification with PSP Guidelines: The PSP Study Guide discusses BCWS as part of earned value management (Ref: PSP Study Guide, Chapter 1D: Earned Value Analysis).

Answer : D

Activity Overview and Dependencies:

From the provided schedule data, Activity 3001 (Excavation, Dam Site) starts with multiple logical relationships:

Successor activities include SS (Start-to-Start) and FS (Finish-to-Start) dependencies with other tasks.

Specifically, these relationships link 3001 to 4001 (Excavation, Spillway) and 5001 (Drill and Grout, Dam Site).

Normal Schedule Context:

Excluding Activity 1000, we focus on Activity 3001's logical relationships to determine which activities are concurrent.

In the 'Normal Schedule', Activity 3001 has a duration of 152 days and overlaps with Activities 4001 (152 days) and 5001 (102 days). Both activities share similar dependencies and durations with Activity 3001, making them concurrent.

Schedule Dependency Analysis:

Concurrent activities are identified by overlapping durations and logical relationships that align their schedules.

Activity 4001 is linked via SS and FF dependencies, ensuring simultaneous start and finish points.

Activity 5001 starts as 3001 progresses (SS and FS dependencies).

Final Answer Validation:

Other listed activities, such as 2003 and 7001 (Answer A) or 2004 (Answer B), are not logically or temporally concurrent based on their dependencies and durations.

Only 4001 and 5001 have concurrent schedules aligning with Activity 3001.

Study Guide Reference:

Planning and Scheduling Professional Certification Study Guide, Chapter 2 -- Scheduling, sections on 'Dependencies and Constraints' (p. 157) and 'Sequencing Activities' (p. 151).

For further insights into identifying concurrency using logical relationships, refer to AACE's Recommended Practice 10S-90: Cost Engineering Terminology.

This structured approach ensures alignment with PSP standards and principles in evaluating concurrent activities in complex schedules.

Answer : D

Activity Details (7001 - 'Permanent Roads'):

Duration: 48 days in the Normal schedule.

Precedence Diagram Information: The schedule correctly reflects the logic and relationships as FS (Finish-to-Start) with successors.

Total Float and Dates Review:

No discrepancies are provided in the diagram.

Early Start (ES) and Early Finish (EF) align with the planned duration and dependencies.

Validation:

Total float is not specified as incorrect.

Early Finish dates, while not explicitly displayed, do not contradict the sequence.

Start-to-Start and Finish-to-Finish relationships are correctly oriented.

Conclusion: The activity is correctly represented with a duration of 48 days.

Answer : C

Input Data for Construction Planning:

Construction planning relies on data from the owner, contractor, and contract terms to establish project parameters.

Bonding capacity is not typically part of the planning inputs but rather a procurement and contractual concern.

PSP Study Guide Reference:

Key inputs include project requirements, constraints, and stakeholder inputs as outlined in the PSP guide.

Conclusion: The correct answer is C, as bonding capacity is not a direct input to the construction planning process.