A project has activities A (5 days), B (3 days), and C (7 days). Activity A must be completed before B starts, and B must be completed before C starts. What is the total project duration using CPM scheduling?
Correct Answer
A) 15 days
Since the activities are sequential (A→B→C), the total project duration is the sum of all activity durations: 5 + 3 + 7 = 15 days. This represents the critical path for this project.
Why This Is the Correct Answer
In CPM scheduling with sequential activities, the total project duration equals the sum of all activity durations along the critical path. Since Activity A must finish before B starts, and B must finish before C starts, there is no overlap or parallel work possible. The critical path is A→B→C, making the total duration 5 + 3 + 7 = 15 days. This represents the longest path through the project network and determines the minimum project completion time.
Why the Other Options Are Wrong
Option B: 12 days
12 days would be the sum of only Activities A and B (5 + 3 + 4 missing days), but this fails to include the full 7-day duration of Activity C that must follow.
Option D: 10 days
10 days is insufficient time to complete all three sequential activities, as it's 5 days short of the required 15 days needed for the complete A→B→C sequence.
Memory Technique
Remember 'Sequential = Sum' - when activities must be done one after another (sequential), the total time is the sum of all individual activity times.
Reference Hint
Look up 'Critical Path Method (CPM)' and 'Project Scheduling' in construction management chapters, typically found in project management or scheduling sections of contractor reference materials.
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