CAPM Float (Slack) Practice Question
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A project manager is reviewing the project schedule and notices that work package 'WP-101' consistently shows a negative float value. What is the most likely cause of this issue?
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
The activity durations for WP-101 were estimated too aggressively.
Negative float indicates that there is insufficient schedule flexibility to meet the project deadline. The most common cause is overly optimistic activity duration estimates, which compress the schedule and eliminate float. Errors in the network diagram or critical path calculation could also cause negative float, but these are less likely if the schedule logic is sound. Resource leveling typically affects resource allocation, not float directly.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
The activity durations for WP-101 were estimated too aggressively.
Why this is correct
Aggressive duration estimates can compress the schedule, leading to negative float. This is a common cause when estimates are optimistic.
- ✗
The project network diagram contains a logical dependency error.
Why it's wrong here
A logic error in the network diagram could cause incorrect float calculations, but it would likely affect multiple activities, not just one work package.
- ✗
The critical path method was applied incorrectly.
Why it's wrong here
If the critical path method were applied incorrectly, the entire schedule would be flawed, not just one work package showing negative float.
- ✗
Resource leveling was not performed for the project.
Why it's wrong here
Resource leveling adjusts resource allocation and may affect the schedule, but it typically does not directly cause negative float; it might even increase float.
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Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
This CAPM practice question is part of Courseiva's free PMI certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the CAPM exam.