CSLB General Building (B)Planning and EstimatingEasy
A general contractor is reviewing the project schedule and notes a task labeled 'Install Drywall' that cannot begin until 'Rough Electrical' and 'Rough Plumbing' are both 100% complete. This is an example of what type of scheduling relationship?
- AFinish-to-Start (FS)
- BFinish-to-Finish (FF)
- CStart-to-Start (SS)
- DStart-to-Finish (SF)
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: A. Finish-to-Start (FS)
A Finish-to-Start (FS) relationship means that the successor activity (install drywall) cannot start until the predecessor activity (rough electrical and plumbing) has finished. This is the most common type of dependency in construction scheduling.
Why the other options are wrong
- B. Incorrect; Finish-to-Finish means two tasks must finish at the same time.
- C. Incorrect; Start-to-Start means two tasks start at the same time.
- D. Incorrect; Start-to-Finish means the successor task cannot finish until the predecessor task starts, which is rare in construction.
Finish-to-Start (FS) Dependency
A scheduling relationship where a successor activity cannot begin until its predecessor activity has been completed. It is the most common type of logical relationship in project schedules.
- Successor waits for Predecessor's completion
- Most common type of dependency
- Represented as A → B (A finishes, then B starts)
Memory trick: Dependencies dictate when tasks can 'link up' (start or finish)!