PMI Scheduling Professional Certification (PMI-SP) Practice Exam

What is the technique of identifying early and late dates for project schedule activities called?

1. Schedule compression

2. Schedule network analysis

3. Critical path analysis

4. Resource leveling

The correct answer is: Schedule network analysis

The technique of identifying early and late dates for project schedule activities is known as schedule network analysis. This process involves assessing the project schedule to determine the earliest (early start and early finish) and latest (late start and late finish) dates for each activity. By doing so, it helps project managers understand the timing of each activity within the context of the overall project timeline. Schedule network analysis is essential for critical path determination, which identifies the longest sequence of activities that must be completed for the project to finish on time. This technique allows project managers to highlight dependencies and analyze the impact of delays, thus facilitating better planning and scheduling. In contrast, options related to schedule compression, critical path analysis, and resource leveling serve different purposes. Schedule compression refers to techniques aimed at reducing the overall project duration, critical path analysis focuses specifically on identifying the sequence of activities that determines project duration, and resource leveling involves adjusting the project schedule to resolve resource constraints while ensuring the project's critical path remains intact.