AACE International PSP - Planning & Scheduling Professional (PSP) Exam

ï‚· Analyze the Data and Logic:

Activity 9004 ("Valve House Embankment"): This activity has a direct Finish-to-Start (FS) relationship with Activity 10002, with a lag of 7 days.

Late Start (LS) and Late Finish (LF): In backward pass calculations, the late finish of the successor activity is adjusted for lag and task duration to determine the late start of the predecessor activity.

ï‚· Formula for Late Finish (LF):

The Late Finish of Activity 9004 is derived by taking the Late Start (LS) of Activity 10002, subtracting the lag of 7 days, and subtracting 1 day to calculate the exact finish date.

ï‚· Correct Date Calculation:

Given the Late Start (LS) of Activity 10002:

LS.10002 = 11-28-03.

Apply the formula:LF.9004 = LS.10002 - Lag.7 - 1 day = 11-28-03 - 7 days - 1 day = 11-20-03.

ï‚· Cross-Verification with Answer Options:

Option A: Incorrect. Misrepresents the formula.

Option B: Incorrect. Incorrect application of logic and lag adjustments.

Option C: Incorrect. Omits the correct lag consideration.

Option D: Correct. Matches both formula and calculated date.

ï‚· Relationship Analysis:

Activity 4001 starts 15 days after Activity 3001 begins, based on their logical dependency (SS +15).

This indicates partial concurrency, as both activities overlap in execution.

ï‚· Evaluation of Other Options:

A: Incorrect, as the statement refers to Activity 5001, not 3001.

C: Incorrect, as Activity 4001 does not start before Activity 3001.

ï‚· Verification with PSP Guidelines:PSP guidelines stress precise interpretation of activity relationships (Ref: PSP Study Guide, Chapter 2A: Logical Relationships and Lags).

ï‚· Proceeding without completing environmental studies introduces compliance risks, such as legal challenges or project shutdowns. This is not a feasible method for reducing the overall completion time as it contradicts environmental regulations and ethical standards.

ï‚· Methods like subcontracting (A) or reallocating resources (B) are feasible, as they leverage resource management.

 References: PSP Study Guide, Section 1.2.3 – Stakeholder Considerations, and Section 1.3.13 – Risk and Recovery Planning, which emphasize compliance with regulations and avoiding unmanageable risks.

When planning a contractor's baseline critical path schedule for constructing a high-clearance bridge near an airport, a planner/scheduler must consider documents directly relevant to the project's execution and constraints. Here's the detailed reasoning:

Project Plans and Specifications (Option A):These documents contain the detailed design, materials, and methods necessary for construction. They are indispensable for planning the baseline critical path schedule.

Project Geotechnical Report (Option B):The geotechnical report provides critical information about soil conditions, foundational requirements, and potential challenges, which significantly influence construction sequencing and methods.

Regulations Published by the Government Aviation Agency (Option C):As the project is near an airport, these regulations will likely impose height restrictions, flight path considerations, and safety requirements. Compliance with these regulations is crucial to avoid project delays or legal issues.

Government's Report on Future High-Clearance Bridge Projects (Option D):This document provides information on future projects and does not pertain to the current construction project. It does not provide actionable data or constraints affecting the planning or execution of the baseline critical path schedule for the awarded project.

Conclusion: Option D is the least valuable document in this scenario as it does not contribute directly to the planning or scheduling of the current project.

The use of a winter/wet weather seasonal calendar is essential in planning and scheduling to account for climatic conditions that can impact project timelines. The PSP Study Guide emphasizes identifying project variables, such as environmental conditions, and incorporating them into the project plan to manage risks and constraints effectively. Seasonal calendars help planners predict periods of reduced productivity, increased costs, and potential delays due to adverse weather conditions (PSP Study Guide, Subchapter 1.2.4, "Project Variables").

These calendars are particularly useful for:

Forecasting potential schedule impacts during specific periods.

Enhancing the accuracy of risk management plans (PSP Study Guide, Section 1.3.13, "Risk and Recovery Plan").

Aiding in decision-making regarding resource allocation during slow periods.

The linear scheduling velocity diagram uses time on one axis and location on the other. This graphically represents the progression of work at various locations over time.

Option C (time and rate of progress) and Option D (time and crew size) refer to related concepts but do not accurately describe the axes.

Option A (location and crew size) is unrelated.

This aligns with graphical techniques discussed for construction scheduling​.

Best Practices for Change Management Plans:

Effective plans are developed in the planning phase, ensuring all stakeholders understand how changes will be managed.

Evaluation of Options:

Option A: Incorrect. Stakeholders are involved during development, not just after.

Option C: Incorrect. A change management plan focuses on significant changes, not minor decisions.

Option D: Incorrect. It involves all stakeholders, not just the project controls team.

Option B: Correct. Change management plans are part of project planning.

References:

PSP Study Guide (2019), Sections on Critical Path Analysis, Float Management, and Change Management.

AACE Recommended Practices, RP 10S-90.

Compensability and Excusability:

Excusable delays are those beyond the contractor’s control, while compensable delays are excusable delays for which the owner bears responsibility.

If a delay is compensable, it inherently qualifies as excusable.

PSP Study Guide References:

The relationship between excusability and compensability is clarified in delay analysis discussions​.

Conclusion: The correct answer is D, as compensability implies excusability.

A

ï‚· Critical Path Characteristics:

The critical path is the sequence of activities that determines the overall project duration.

It represents the longest duration path through the network and typically has zero float unless delays or constraints introduce negative float.

ï‚· PSP Study Guide References:

Critical path analysis is a foundational concept in schedule management, as covered extensively in the PSP guide​.

ï‚· Analysis of Options:

Option A: Correct. The critical path always has the longest duration.

Option B: Zero float is common but not universal due to constraints or delays.

Option C and D: Negative float describes specific scenarios but does not define the critical path universally.

ï‚· Conclusion: The correct answer is A, as the critical path is the longest-duration path through the network.