TOPIC: Free CAPM® Exam Sample Question

You are using the precedence diagramming method to sequence the project schedule activities in your activity list. Of the following logical relationships between project activities, which is the most common?

A. Finish to finish
B. Finish to start
C. Start to start
D. Start to finish

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HINT: By default, no project activities overlap, and each task must be completed before the next one can begin.

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Answer and Explanation:
The correct answer is B

The precedence diagramming method (PDM) is a technique for constructing a schedule model in which activities are represented by nodes and are graphically linked by one or more logical relationships to show the sequence in which the activities are to be performed. PDM includes four types of dependencies or logical relationships, listed in the choices above. A predecessor is an activity that logically comes before a dependent activity in a schedule. A successor activity is a dependent activity that logically comes after another activity on a schedule. In PDM, finish-to-start is the most commonly used type of precedence relationship. The start-to-finish is very rarely used but is included to present a complete list. The other two relationships (finish-to-finish and start-to-start) are for activities that may be conducted at least partially simultaneously.

Details for each option:

A. Finish to finish
Incorrect. A finish-to-finish logical relationship is one in which a successor activity cannot finish until a predecessor activity has finished. Along with start-to-start, the finish-to-finish relationship is used for activities that may be conducted at least partially simultaneously due to dependencies or schedule compression.

B. Finish to start
Correct. A finish-to-start logical relationship is one in which is successor activity cannot start until a predecessor activity has finished. This logical relationship is the most common and is often the default.

C. Start to start
Incorrect. A start-to-start logical relationship is one in which a successor activity cannot start until a predecessor activity has started. Along with finish-to-finish, the start-to-start relationship is used for activities that may be conducted at least partially simultaneously due to dependencies or schedule compression.

D. Start to finish
Incorrect. A start-to-finish logical relationship is one in which a successor activity cannot finish until a predecessor activity has started. This relationship is very rarely used.

Reference: A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge, (PMBOK^® Guide) – Sixth Edition, Project Management Institute Inc., 2017, Page(s) 189-190