PMI CAPM (Certified Associate in Project Management) Examination Content OutlinePredictive, Plan-Based MethodologiesEasy
A project manager is developing the project schedule for a new software application. The team has identified various tasks, their durations, and dependencies. To accurately represent the sequence of activities and potential parallel work, which scheduling technique should the project manager primarily use?
- APrecedence Diagramming Method (PDM)
- BGantt Chart
- CResource Leveling
- DCritical Path Method (CPM)
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: A. Precedence Diagramming Method (PDM)
The Precedence Diagramming Method (PDM) is a technique used for constructing a schedule model in which activities are represented by nodes and are graphically linked by one or more logical relationships to show the sequence in which the activities are to be performed.
Why the other options are wrong
- B. A Gantt Chart is a visual representation of a schedule, but PDM is the underlying technique for defining the relationships.
- C. Resource Leveling is a technique used to optimize resource allocation, not to define activity sequences.
- D. Critical Path Method (CPM) is a technique used to determine the longest path through the project, but PDM is the method for diagramming the relationships that CPM uses.
Precedence Diagramming Method (PDM)
A technique used for constructing a schedule model in which activities are represented by nodes and are graphically linked by one or more logical relationships to show the sequence in which the activities are to be performed.
- Activities are represented as nodes.
- Links show dependencies (finish-to-start, start-to-start, etc.).
- Foundation for critical path analysis.
Memory trick: Diagramming Precedence, Activities Flow.