A critical path activity is delayed by 3 days due to material delivery issues. How does this affect the overall project completion?
Correct Answer
D) Project is delayed by 3 days
Any delay to a critical path activity directly delays the project completion by the same amount since critical path activities have zero float.
Why This Is the Correct Answer
Critical path activities are those that determine the minimum project duration and have zero float or slack time. When any activity on the critical path is delayed, there is no buffer time to absorb the delay, so the entire project completion date is pushed back by exactly the same amount. Since the material delivery delay affects a critical path activity by 3 days, and there is no float to absorb this delay, the project completion is delayed by exactly 3 days.
Why the Other Options Are Wrong
Option A: Project is delayed by less than 3 days
This is incorrect because critical path activities have zero float time to absorb delays. The delay cannot be less than the actual delay experienced since there is no buffer time available to reduce the impact on the overall project timeline.
Option B: Project is delayed by more than 3 days
This is incorrect because the delay to project completion equals exactly the delay to the critical path activity, not more. Additional delays would only occur if the delay caused other activities to become critical or if there were cascading effects, which is not indicated in this scenario.
Option C: No effect on project completion
This is incorrect because critical path activities have zero float, meaning any delay directly impacts project completion. If this were a non-critical activity with sufficient float, then there might be no effect, but critical path delays always affect the project end date.
Memory Technique
Think 'Critical = No Cushion' - critical path activities have no time cushion (float) to absorb delays, so delays pass directly through to project completion
Reference Hint
Project Management chapter covering Critical Path Method (CPM) and schedule analysis
More Business & Finance Questions
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?
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?
When establishing professional relationships with architects and engineers, what is the most important factor for a general contractor to consider?
A partnership agreement for a construction company should address all of the following EXCEPT:
A contractor purchases a truck for $60,000. After 5 years, it has accumulated depreciation of $35,000. What is the truck's book value?
A contractor's business plan projects first-year revenue of $500,000 with a 15% net profit margin. If actual revenue is $450,000 with the same profit margin, what is the variance in net profit?
Using the Modified Accelerated Cost Recovery System (MACRS), construction equipment is typically depreciated over how many years?
A contractor is comparing financing options for equipment purchase. Option A: $80,000 cash purchase. Option B: $20,000 down, $65,000 financed at 6% for 4 years. What is the total cost of Option B?
A contractor purchases equipment using a capital lease with a present value of $120,000. How should this be recorded on the balance sheet?
People Also Study
Related Study Resources
Previous Question
A contractor is preparing a bid for a project with the following costs: Direct Labor $150,000, Materials $200,000, Equipment $50,000, Overhead 18%, and desired profit margin 12%. What should the total bid amount be?
Next Question
A contractor's workers' compensation premium is calculated at $3.50 per $100 of payroll for concrete work. If the concrete crew's annual payroll is $285,000, what is the annual workers' compensation premium for this classification?