CSLB General Building (B)Planning and EstimatingMedium
A project manager is creating a schedule for a custom home build. The foundation must be poured and cured before framing can begin. What type of logical relationship does this represent between the 'Pour Foundation' and 'Begin Framing' activities?
- AStart-to-Start (SS)
- BFinish-to-Finish (FF)
- CStart-to-Finish (SF)
- DFinish-to-Start (FS)
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: D. Finish-to-Start (FS)
A Finish-to-Start (FS) relationship means that the successor activity (Begin Framing) cannot start until the predecessor activity (Pour Foundation and Curing) has finished. This is the most common type of dependency in construction.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. SS means the successor can start when the predecessor starts, not appropriate here as framing needs the foundation finished.
- B. FF means the successor must finish when the predecessor finishes, not appropriate for framing needing the foundation completed first.
- C. SF means the successor cannot finish until the predecessor starts, which is rarely used and doesn't fit this scenario.
Finish-to-Start (FS) Dependency
A logical relationship in project scheduling where a successor activity can only begin once its predecessor activity has been completed.
- Most common type of task dependency.
- Ensures sequential order of tasks.
- Example: Painting cannot start until drywall is finished.
Memory trick: Finish First, then Start Second (FFSS).