A project has activities with the following durations: A(5 days), B(8 days), C(6 days), D(4 days). The network shows A→C→D and B→D as parallel paths. What is the critical path duration?
Correct Answer
B) 15 days
Path A→C→D = 5+6+4 = 15 days. Path B→D = 8+4 = 12 days. The critical path is the longest path, which is A→C→D at 15 days.
Why This Is the Correct Answer
The critical path is the longest sequence of activities that determines the minimum project duration. To find it, we calculate the total duration of each possible path through the network. Path A→C→D takes 5+6+4=15 days, while path B→D takes 8+4=12 days. Since 15 days is longer than 12 days, the critical path duration is 15 days.
Why the Other Options Are Wrong
Option A: 12 days
12 days represents the duration of path B→D (8+4=12), which is the shorter path and therefore not the critical path.
Option C: 17 days
17 days doesn't correspond to any valid path calculation in this network - it appears to be an incorrect addition or confusion of activity durations.
Option D: 23 days
23 days would result from incorrectly adding all activity durations together (5+8+6+4=23), which ignores that activities B and A→C occur in parallel, not sequentially.
Memory Technique
Remember 'LONGEST = CRITICAL' - the critical path is always the longest path through the network, just like the critical bottleneck determines overall project completion time.
Reference Hint
Look up 'Critical Path Method (CPM)' or 'Project Scheduling' in construction management chapters - typically found in project management sections of contractor reference books.
More Business & Finance Questions
A contractor's license expires on March 31st. If they submit a renewal application on April 15th, what additional requirement must be met under Florida regulations?
A general contractor purchases equipment worth $45,000 with a useful life of 9 years and no salvage value. Using straight-line depreciation, what is the annual depreciation expense?
In Florida, what is the minimum workers' compensation insurance coverage required for construction companies with employees?
What is the typical recommended coverage amount for general liability insurance for a small to medium-sized general contracting business?
A contractor estimates startup costs of $75,000 for equipment, $25,000 for initial inventory, $15,000 for insurance premiums, and $10,000 for working capital. They can finance 70% of the total. How much cash do they need?