In a CPM schedule, Activity A has a duration of 5 days, Activity B has 8 days, and Activity C has 6 days. If A and B can run concurrently, and C follows both A and B, what is the total project duration?
Correct Answer
D) 14 days
Since A (5 days) and B (8 days) run concurrently, the longest duration is 8 days. Activity C (6 days) follows both, so total duration is 8 + 6 = 14 days.
Why This Is the Correct Answer
In CPM scheduling, when activities run concurrently (in parallel), you take the longest duration of the concurrent activities. Activities A (5 days) and B (8 days) run simultaneously, so this phase takes 8 days (the longer of the two). Activity C (6 days) cannot start until both A and B are complete, so it adds sequentially to the 8-day concurrent phase. The total project duration is therefore 8 + 6 = 14 days.
Why the Other Options Are Wrong
Option B: 11 days
11 days would be the result if you incorrectly took the shorter concurrent activity duration (A = 5 days) and added C (5 + 6 = 11), rather than using the longer concurrent activity duration (B = 8 days).
Option C: 8 days
19 days would be the result if you incorrectly added all three activities sequentially (5 + 8 + 6 = 19), ignoring the fact that A and B run concurrently and should not both be counted in the total duration.
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