Q.1 Which of the following is the main objective of network analysis in project management?
To maximize profits
To minimize project duration
To increase sales
To improve employee satisfaction
Explanation - Network analysis helps identify the critical path, which allows minimizing project completion time.
Correct answer is: To minimize project duration
Q.2 In PERT, the time estimates are based on:
Deterministic values
Probabilistic values
Historical averages
Manager’s intuition
Explanation - PERT uses optimistic, pessimistic, and most likely estimates to account for uncertainty in activity durations.
Correct answer is: Probabilistic values
Q.3 Which technique is more suitable for projects with uncertain activity times?
CPM
PERT
Gantt Chart
Linear Programming
Explanation - PERT deals with probabilistic activity times, making it better suited for uncertain environments.
Correct answer is: PERT
Q.4 The critical path is defined as:
The shortest path through the network
The longest path through the network
The path with least cost
The path with most slack
Explanation - The critical path represents the longest duration path, which determines the minimum project completion time.
Correct answer is: The longest path through the network
Q.5 Slack in CPM represents:
Extra cost available
Extra time available
The longest path
The most risky activity
Explanation - Slack refers to the amount of time an activity can be delayed without delaying the project.
Correct answer is: Extra time available
Q.6 Which of the following is NOT an assumption of PERT?
Activity times are uncertain
Activity times follow a beta distribution
Only one critical path exists
Events are independent
Explanation - PERT does not assume a single critical path; multiple paths may become critical in uncertain projects.
Correct answer is: Only one critical path exists
Q.7 What is the expected time formula in PERT?
(O+M+P)/3
(O+4M+P)/6
(O+2M+P)/4
(O+M+2P)/5
Explanation - The expected time (TE) in PERT is calculated as (Optimistic + 4×Most likely + Pessimistic)/6.
Correct answer is: (O+4M+P)/6
Q.8 In CPM, activity times are considered:
Probabilistic
Deterministic
Random
Uncertain
Explanation - CPM assumes fixed (deterministic) activity durations without uncertainty.
Correct answer is: Deterministic
Q.9 Which of the following tools is commonly used to represent PERT and CPM?
Bar Chart
Flow Chart
Network Diagram
Histogram
Explanation - PERT and CPM are graphically represented using network diagrams of activities and events.
Correct answer is: Network Diagram
Q.10 The probability of completing a project within a deadline in PERT is calculated using:
Normal distribution
Poisson distribution
Exponential distribution
Chi-square distribution
Explanation - PERT uses the normal distribution approximation for project completion probabilities.
Correct answer is: Normal distribution
Q.11 Which of the following is TRUE for dummy activities in network analysis?
They consume time
They consume resources
They show dependency only
They are critical activities
Explanation - Dummy activities are used only to show precedence relationships and do not consume time or resources.
Correct answer is: They show dependency only
Q.12 In CPM, crashing is done to:
Reduce activity slack
Reduce project duration
Increase project cost
Delay the critical path
Explanation - Crashing means reducing the duration of activities (often by adding resources) to shorten total project time.
Correct answer is: Reduce project duration
Q.13 Which of the following is not an application of PERT/CPM?
Construction projects
Software development
Retail sales forecasting
Defense research projects
Explanation - PERT/CPM is mainly used in project management, not in sales forecasting.
Correct answer is: Retail sales forecasting
Q.14 If the slack of an activity is zero, then:
The activity is non-critical
The activity is critical
The activity can be delayed
The activity is unnecessary
Explanation - Zero slack means any delay in that activity will delay the project, making it critical.
Correct answer is: The activity is critical
Q.15 In network terminology, an event represents:
Start or completion of an activity
The duration of an activity
The cost of an activity
The risk of an activity
Explanation - Events represent milestones such as the beginning or end of activities in network diagrams.
Correct answer is: Start or completion of an activity
Q.16 The earliest start time of an activity is determined by:
Forward pass
Backward pass
Slack calculation
Crashing analysis
Explanation - Forward pass through the network determines earliest start and finish times.
Correct answer is: Forward pass
Q.17 The latest finish time of an activity is determined by:
Forward pass
Backward pass
Dummy activities
Probability estimates
Explanation - Backward pass is used to calculate latest start and finish times.
Correct answer is: Backward pass
Q.18 Which is NOT an advantage of network analysis?
Helps in time management
Improves cost efficiency
Guarantees project success
Identifies critical activities
Explanation - Network analysis aids planning but cannot guarantee success due to external uncertainties.
Correct answer is: Guarantees project success
Q.19 Standard deviation of an activity in PERT is calculated as:
(P-O)/2
(P-O)/6
(P-O)/3
(P-O)/4
Explanation - In PERT, standard deviation is calculated as (Pessimistic – Optimistic)/6.
Correct answer is: (P-O)/6
Q.20 What does CPM mainly focus on?
Time
Cost
Uncertainty
Risk
Explanation - While CPM uses deterministic time estimates, its primary strength lies in cost optimization with time trade-offs.
Correct answer is: Cost
Q.21 If an activity has an earliest start of 5 days and a latest start of 8 days, what is its slack?
0 days
2 days
3 days
5 days
Explanation - Slack = Latest Start – Earliest Start = 8 – 5 = 3 days.
Correct answer is: 3 days
Q.22 Which of these projects is most suitable for CPM?
New drug research
Software prototype design
Routine building construction
Exploratory space mission
Explanation - CPM is suitable for projects with predictable, well-defined activities like construction.
Correct answer is: Routine building construction
Q.23 The total float of an activity is:
Time available for delay without affecting project completion
Extra budget for an activity
The longest critical path
The expected time of the activity
Explanation - Total float refers to the maximum time an activity can be delayed without delaying the overall project.
Correct answer is: Time available for delay without affecting project completion
Q.24 In PERT, optimistic time is:
The most likely time
The shortest possible time
The longest possible time
The average time
Explanation - Optimistic time is the minimum duration under ideal conditions.
Correct answer is: The shortest possible time
Q.25 Which of the following is a limitation of PERT?
It handles uncertainty
It provides probability estimates
It requires three time estimates
It focuses on critical path
Explanation - PERT requires optimistic, pessimistic, and most likely time estimates, which can be difficult to determine accurately.
Correct answer is: It requires three time estimates