A contractor discovers that a critical material delivery will be delayed by 2 weeks. The activity has 5 days of float. What is the impact on the project completion date?
Correct Answer
D) 9 days delay to project completion
The material delay is 14 days (2 weeks), but the activity has 5 days of float. Therefore, the net delay to project completion is 14 - 5 = 9 days.
Why This Is the Correct Answer
CORRECT_ANSWER - When an activity is delayed, the float (slack time) acts as a buffer that absorbs part of the delay. The material delivery delay is 14 days total, but since the activity has 5 days of float available, this float can absorb 5 days of the delay. The remaining 9 days (14 - 5 = 9) will impact the critical path and delay project completion.
Why the Other Options Are Wrong
Option B: 14 days delay to project completion
This represents the total material delay without considering that float can absorb part of the delay. It ignores the fundamental purpose of float in project scheduling.
Option C: 5 days delay to project completion
This assumes the entire 14-day delay can be absorbed by the 5 days of float, which is mathematically impossible. Float can only absorb delays up to its available amount.
Memory Technique
Think 'Float = Safety Net': Total delay minus your safety net (float) equals what hits the project completion date
Reference Hint
Project Management chapter, specifically sections on Critical Path Method (CPM) and float/slack calculations
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