PMP Process — Managing Technical Aspects Practice Question
A project manager is developing the project schedule and needs to account for a resource that is only available 50% of the time. Which technique should be used to adjust the schedule?
⚠ Common exam trap
Many exam-takers confuse resource leveling with schedule compression techniques like crashing or fast tracking, mistakenly thinking they can adjust for resource constraints when they are designed to shorten the schedule, not manage limited availability.
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
✓
Resource leveling
Resource leveling is the correct technique because it adjusts the schedule to account for resource constraints, such as a resource being available only 50% of the time. This technique modifies start and finish dates based on resource availability, ensuring the resource is not over-allocated. In this scenario, leveling would spread the resource's work across the schedule to match the 50% availability, potentially extending the project duration.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
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Crashing
Why it's wrong here
Crashing is a schedule compression technique that involves adding or increasing resources to critical path activities to reduce their duration, often at an increased cost and risk. This method assumes that additional resources can be acquired and applied to shorten tasks, rather than adjusting the schedule to accommodate existing limited resource availability or resolving over-allocations. It's about forcing a shorter schedule, not optimizing within constraints.
- ✓
Resource leveling
Why this is correct
Resource leveling is a schedule network analysis technique specifically employed to address resource over-allocations or to maintain a constant level of resources. It involves adjusting the start and finish dates of activities, typically those with available float, to ensure that resource demand does not exceed the available supply. This technique directly resolves resource constraints by optimizing their use over time, often extending the project's overall duration.
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Fast tracking
Why it's wrong here
Fast tracking is a schedule compression technique where phases or activities that would normally be performed sequentially are instead performed in parallel or overlapped. While its primary goal is to shorten the project duration, it inherently increases project risk, potential for rework, and communication complexity. This technique does not directly address or resolve issues of limited resource availability or existing resource over-allocations; it focuses on activity sequencing.
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Critical path method
Why it's wrong here
The Critical Path Method (CPM) is a schedule network analysis technique used to determine the longest path through the project network diagram, which represents the minimum project duration. CPM primarily focuses on identifying critical activities and calculating float, establishing the earliest and latest possible start and finish dates for tasks. However, it does not inherently consider or adjust for resource availability constraints when determining activity durations or sequences, making it a theoretical schedule without resource loading.
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