CompTIA Project+ (PK0-005)Project Management ConceptsEasy
A project manager is leading a project to develop a new accounting software. The project's critical path includes 'Database Design' (5 days), 'Module A Development' (8 days), and 'System Integration' (7 days). If 'Database Design' is delayed by 2 days, what is the impact on the project's overall completion time, assuming no other changes?
- ANo change
- BProject completion delayed by 5 days
- CProject completion delayed by 2 days
- DProject completion delayed by 1 day
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: C. Project completion delayed by 2 days
Since 'Database Design' is on the critical path, any delay to this activity will directly impact the project's overall completion time. A 2-day delay in a critical path activity will result in a 2-day delay for the entire project.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. Incorrect; critical path activities directly impact project duration.
- B. Incorrect; the delay is the actual delay, not the original duration of the activity.
- D. Incorrect; the delay is directly proportional to the critical path activity's delay.
Critical Path Impact
Any delay to an activity on the critical path will directly delay the entire project's completion by the same amount, assuming no other adjustments are made.
- Critical path activities have zero float (slack).
- Delays on non-critical paths may not affect project end date.
- Monitoring critical path is crucial for schedule control.
Memory trick: Critical path is the longest path, so any delay there delays the whole race.