Free Practice Questions for AACE International PSP Exam

Given Data

Start Date: April 1, 2002.

Duration of Activity 7001 (Normal Schedule): 48 days.

Workweek: 5-day workweek (Monday to Friday).

No holidays are mentioned in the problem.

Step 1: Calculate Total Working Days

Using a 5-day workweek:

Determine the number of full weeks in 48 days:48÷5=9 weeks with 3 additional workdays.48 \div 5 = 9 \, \text{weeks with 3 additional workdays.}48÷5=9weeks with 3 additional workdays.

Total work period = 9 weeks + 3 workdays = 45 weekdays.

Step 2: Calculate Calendar End Date

Starting from April 1, 2002 (Monday):

Add 9 full weeks: April 1 + 9 weeks = May 31, 2002 (Friday).

Add the remaining 3 workdays:

Monday, June 3.

Tuesday, June 4.

Wednesday, June 5, 2002.

Step 3: Validate Answer

The finish date for Activity 7001 is June 5, 2002.

 Understand the Concept of a Hammock Activity:

A hammock activity spans over multiple activities and reflects the cumulative duration from the earliest start to the latest finish of the grouped activities.

 Activities in the Hammock (6001–6003):

Activity 6001: Duration = 102 days, FS relationship with successor.

Activity 6002: Duration = 140 days, FS with 6001.

Activity 6003: Duration = 115 days, FS with 6002.

 Calculate the Duration:

Earliest Start of Activity 6001 → Latest Finish of Activity 6003.

Total duration = 102 + 140 + 115 = 362 days.

 Cross-Verification with Answer Options:

Option A: Incorrect. Overestimates.

Option C: Incorrect. Underestimates.

Option D: Incorrect. Underestimates.

Option B: Correct. Matches the calculated duration.

An earned value management (EVM) system can base its calculations on labor hours or monetary values, depending on the nature of the project. Both methods are valid for tracking performance and forecasting outcomes.

Option B (direct or indirect cost) does not align with EVM's focus on performance metrics.

Option C confuses timeframes with budgeting principles.

Option D (linear feet or dollars) applies to physical progress tracking but not directly to EVM systems.

This is consistent with EVM principles as outlined in project control methodologies within the PSP materials​.

 The Late Finish (LF) for an activity in CPM is determined by adding the activity’s duration to its Late Start (LS).

 For Activity 9004, if its Late Start is known, adding the activity’s 72-day duration gives the Late Finish date.

 References: PSP Study Guide, Section 2.2.4 – Relationships and Calculations, highlights the importance of forward and backward pass calculations to determine ES, EF, LS, and LF.

 Calculation of Maximum Lifts Per Crane Per Day:

A single crane performs 30 lifts per day.

 Number of Cranes and Days:

3 cranes working for 5 days = 3×30×53 \times 30 \times 53×30×5.

 Total Lifts:

Total lifts = 450450450.

 Verification with PSP Guidelines:

Efficient resource calculation is critical in equipment planning (Ref: PSP Study Guide, Chapter 2A: Resource Allocation and Optimization).

 Critical Path Analysis:

Critical path activities include proofing, printing, and packaging.

Delays or baseline adherence does not alter the sequence of critical activities.

 Impact Assessment:

No additional changes occur to the baseline critical path in the given scenario.

 Cross-Verification:

Option A: Incorrect. Assumes two path changes.

Option B: Incorrect. Incorrect number of changes.

Option D: Incorrect. Overestimates critical path shifts.

Option C: Correct. Reflects no critical path changes.

 Activity 2002 in the Crashed Schedule:

Activity 2002 duration in the crashed schedule is 28 days.

Start Date: 12 August 2021.

Finish Date = Start Date + Duration (excluding non-working days).

 Calculation:

12 August + 28 days = 09 September 2021 (excluding weekends or non-working days based on typical calendars).

 Verification with PSP Guidelines:

Accurate calculation of start and finish dates aligns with scheduling best practices (Ref: PSP Study Guide, Chapter 2A: Schedule Development).