NASCLA Accredited Commercial General ContractorGeneral RequirementsEasy
A general contractor is reviewing the project schedule for a new commercial building. The critical path analysis indicates that the foundation work, structural steel erection, and exterior enclosure are sequential activities with no float. If a two-week delay occurs during the foundation work, what is the immediate impact on the project's overall completion date?
- AThe project completion date will remain unchanged due to buffer time in other activities.
- BThe project completion date will be delayed by more than two weeks due to cascading effects.
- CThe project completion date will be accelerated by two weeks if resources are reallocated.
- DThe project completion date will be delayed by exactly two weeks.
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: D. The project completion date will be delayed by exactly two weeks.
Activities on the critical path have zero float. Any delay to a critical path activity directly impacts the project's overall completion date by the exact duration of that delay. Therefore, a two-week delay in foundation work will cause a two-week delay in project completion.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. Critical path activities have no float, so delays directly affect the end date.
- B. While cascading effects can occur, the immediate and direct impact of a critical path delay is equal to the delay itself, assuming no other critical paths are affected.
- C. Delays do not accelerate projects; acceleration requires specific actions like crashing or fast-tracking.
Critical Path
The sequence of project activities that determines the shortest possible duration to complete the project, with no float (or slack) time.
- Any delay to a critical path activity will delay the entire project.
- Identified through Critical Path Method (CPM) scheduling.
- Requires careful monitoring and management to keep projects on schedule.
Memory trick: If the main road is blocked, your arrival is delayed by exactly that block.