PMI Scheduling Professional Certification (PMI-SP) Practice Exam

Which of the following describes the relationship between critical chain and critical path?

1. Critical chain focuses on resource allocation

2. Critical path is more flexible than critical chain

3. Critical path is irrelevant to critical chain

4. Critical chain does not exist in traditional scheduling

The correct answer is: Critical chain focuses on resource allocation

The correct choice, which focuses on how critical chain emphasizes resource allocation, is accurate because critical chain project management incorporates constraints such as resource availability into the scheduling of tasks. Unlike traditional critical path method (CPM), which predominantly emphasizes the sequence and timing of tasks based solely on duration, critical chain takes a more holistic approach by examining not just task dependencies but also the effectiveness of resource management. This means that in critical chain scheduling, buffers are added to protect the project timeline against uncertainties and resource limitations, ensuring that projects are completed more efficiently while also managing the potential for multi-tasking or resource contention. Understanding this relationship is crucial for project managers since it allows for more realistic planning and execution in environments where resources are limited. The other options present concepts that either misrepresent the methodologies or offer incorrect views regarding their relationships. By grasping how critical chain specifically modifies and adapts the construct of the critical path with a focus on resource allocation, practitioners can navigate the complexities of project scheduling more effectively.