PMI Scheduling Professional Certification (PMI-SP) Practice Exam

Which method helps assess the impact of changes on a project schedule?

1. Variability Analysis

2. What-if Scenario Analysis

3. Critical Path Method

4. Trend Analysis

The correct answer is: What-if Scenario Analysis

What-if Scenario Analysis is a powerful method for assessing the impact of changes on a project schedule because it allows project managers to explore various hypothetical situations and their potential effects on project timelines and deliverables. By analyzing different scenarios, such as resource availability, task durations, or project scope modifications, project managers can forecast how changes will influence the overall project schedule. This technique fosters proactive decision-making, enabling the project team to identify potential risks and develop mitigation strategies before implementing any changes. In contrast, the other methods serve different purposes. Variability Analysis is focused on understanding the uncertainties in project scheduling but is not specifically aimed at evaluating the impacts of changes. The Critical Path Method identifies the longest sequence of dependent tasks that determines the project duration but does not inherently analyze the impact of changes. Trend Analysis looks at past performance data to identify patterns over time, which can help inform future project decisions but does not specifically simulate the effects of future changes. Thus, What-if Scenario Analysis stands out as the most effective tool for evaluating the consequences of changes on a project schedule.