Pass the AACE International Professional Level Certifications PSP Questions and answers with CertsForce

 Total Float Analysis:

Total float = Late Finish (LF) - Early Finish (EF) or Late Start (LS) - Early Start (ES).

Activity C (Draft Product Manual) lies on the critical path, so its float is 0.

 Verification with PSP Guidelines:The PSP Study Guide defines total float as the amount of time an activity can be delayed without delaying the project (Ref: PSP Study Guide, Chapter 2A: Float Analysis).

Definition of Data/Status Date:

The data or status date represents the point in time to which the schedule reflects actual progress.

Evaluation of Options:

Option A: Incorrect. It’s not tied to monthly updates.

Option B: Incorrect. The status date is not when the project manager submits updates.

Option C: Incorrect. It’s not just a system-calculated date.

Option D: Correct. The status date reflects the date progress is measured.

The Project Scope Statement typically includes:

Project objectives.

Justification.

Deliverables.

However, the contract between the contractor and owner is not included directly in the scope statement. Instead, it serves as a separate legal document governing the project's terms and conditions. This distinction is clear in project scope management practices discussed in the PSP materials​​.

The number of workdays between two milestones, such as Product Testing and Product Available, is calculated by considering the activity durations, dependencies, and any calendar constraints (PSP Study Guide, Subchapter 2.2.3, "Durations"). If the activities are continuous and there are no interruptions such as holidays, the total duration would sum to 100 days based on the provided schedule.

 The Critical Path comprises the sequence of activities that directly impact the project’s completion time.

 If only the last half of Activity B delays the subsequent activities, then this portion lies on the critical path.

 References: PSP Study Guide, Section 2.4.3 – Schedule Analysis, emphasizes identifying segments of activities that are critical due to dependencies and float values.

Defining the execution plan is the foundational step in creating a CPM schedule. This involves understanding the project's scope of work and outlining how it will be executed to meet project objectives.

Option A (bar chart) is a visualization step but does not address planning the sequence or scope execution.

Option C (resources) comes later in schedule development after the scope and plan are defined.

Option D (logic diagram) is a subsequent step that relies on the execution plan​​.

The PSP Study Guide emphasizes scope and execution planning as critical first steps​.

 Critical Path Identification:

The critical path is the longest sequence of activities that determines the project’s minimum duration.

Path: A → B → G → H.

 Exclusion of Other Options:

Paths involving F, J, or non-critical activities do not align with the longest duration.

 Verification with PSP Guidelines:The PSP Study Guide emphasizes identifying the critical path for schedule optimization (Ref: PSP Study Guide, Chapter 2A: Critical Path Analysis)

 Preventing Structural Steel Delays:

Incorporating realistic timeframes for shop drawing review and resubmittals in the baseline schedule prevents design-related delays.

 Evaluation of Other Options:

A: Adding time buffers does not address the root cause.

C: Concurrent review may create confusion and errors.

D: Switching to post-tensioned concrete is a significant design change, not a practical solution for a scheduling issue.

 Verification with PSP Guidelines:Adequate review time aligns with PSP scheduling best practices (Ref: PSP Study Guide, Chapter 2B: Schedule Development and Baseline Creation).

Minimum Project Duration Calculation:

The critical path determines the minimum project duration.

Path: A → B → G → H → 16 months.

Cross-Verification with Network Diagram:

Other paths have shorter durations or do not impact the overall project finish date.

Verification with PSP Guidelines:Critical path analysis is central to determining project duration (Ref: PSP Study Guide, Chapter 2A: Critical Path Method).

Activity Details (9001 - "Spillway - Concrete"):

Duration: 175 days in the Normal schedule.

To calculate Late Start (LS), the Late Finish (LF) is required. LS is calculated by subtracting the activity's duration from the LF.

Formula for Late Start (LS):LS = LF.9001 - Dur.9001.

Date Calculation:

Late Finish (LF.9001) = 11-20-02 (given or derived).

Apply the formula:LS.9001 = LF.9001 - Dur.9001= 11-20-02 - 175 days.

Cross-Verification of Dates:

After subtracting 175 days, LS.9001 = 11-20-02.

Cross-Verification with Answer Options:

Option A: Incorrect. EF (Early Finish) is not needed for this calculation.

Option B: Incorrect. Uses LS and Dur incorrectly without connecting to LF.

Option C: Incorrect. Data provided is sufficient.

Option D: Correct. Matches both the formula and the date calculation.

References:

PSP Study Guide (2019), Section 2A – Schedule Development, Subsection on Backward Pass Calculations.

AACE Recommended Practices, RP 10S-90, discussing Late Start and Late Finish calculations.