Which Activity Duration Estimating technique incorporates additional timing for contingency purposes?

Question

Options

• AAnalogous Estimating
• BExpert Judgment
• COptimistic Estimates
• DReserve Analysis

• A
  7% (3)
• B
  7% (3)
• C
  2% (1)
• D
  84% (37)

Explanation

Reserve Analysis is correct because it is the technique specifically designed to add contingency reserves (buffer time) to activity duration estimates to account for schedule uncertainty and risk - its entire purpose is to build in extra time "just in case."

Analogous Estimating (A) uses historical data from similar past projects to estimate duration; it approximates based on precedent but does not inherently add contingency buffers. Expert Judgment (B) leverages the knowledge of experienced individuals to inform estimates, but is a general input technique rather than one focused on contingency. Optimistic Estimates (C) - a term associated with PERT analysis - represents the best-case scenario and actually minimizes estimated time rather than adding buffer.

Memory tip: Think of "reserve" like a financial reserve fund - you set it aside specifically for unexpected costs (or in this case, unexpected delays). If the question mentions contingency, padding, or buffer time, the answer almost always involves Reserve Analysis.

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