A project has the following activities on the critical path: Foundation (4 days), Framing (12 days), Roofing (6 days), and Electrical rough-in (8 days). If the roofing activity is delayed by 2 days due to weather, what is the impact on project completion?
Correct Answer
B) 2-day delay in project completion
Since roofing is on the critical path and has zero float, any delay to this activity directly impacts the project completion date. A 2-day delay in roofing results in a 2-day delay in project completion.
Why This Is the Correct Answer
Activities on the critical path have zero float, meaning any delay directly impacts the project completion date. Since roofing is specifically identified as being on the critical path, a 2-day weather delay will push the entire project completion back by exactly 2 days. There is no buffer time available to absorb this delay without affecting the final completion date.
Why the Other Options Are Wrong
Option A: No impact if other activities can be compressed
While activity compression (crashing) might theoretically be possible, the question asks for the direct impact of the roofing delay. Option A introduces a conditional scenario that wasn't presented in the problem, and compression would require additional resources and costs that aren't mentioned.
Option C: 1-day delay in project completion
A 1-day delay would only occur if there was 1 day of float available in the roofing activity, but since it's on the critical path, it has zero float. The full 2-day delay must be absorbed by extending the project completion date.
Option D: 4-day delay in project completion
A 4-day delay would suggest the impact is doubled, which has no basis in critical path methodology. The delay impact equals the actual delay duration when the affected activity is on the critical path with zero float.
Memory Technique
Critical = Zero float = Direct hit! Any delay on critical path activities hits the project completion date directly, one-for-one.
Reference Hint
Look up 'Critical Path Method (CPM)' and 'Float/Slack Time' in project management or scheduling chapters of construction management references
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