Which of the following is a tool and technique to develop the schedule?

Question

Options

• AWhat-if scenario analysis
• BBenchmarking
• CVariance analysis
• DSWOT analysis

• A
  84% (31)
• B
  5% (2)
• C
  3% (1)
• D
  8% (3)

Explanation

What-if scenario analysis is a recognized tool and technique in the PMBOK's Develop Schedule process. It involves evaluating different scenarios (e.g., "What if a resource is unavailable for two weeks?") to assess their effect on the project timeline and find the best path forward - making it directly applicable to schedule creation.

Why the distractors are wrong:

• B. Benchmarking is used in Plan Quality Management, not schedule development - it compares your project practices against other projects or industry standards.
• C. Variance analysis is used in Control Schedule (monitoring and controlling), where you compare planned vs. actual performance after execution has begun - not during schedule creation.
• D. SWOT analysis (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats) belongs to risk management and strategic planning, not schedule development.

Memory tip: Group the answers by process group. What-if scenario analysis is a planning tool - you ask "what if?" before things go wrong to stress-test your schedule. Variance analysis is reactive (controlling), and SWOT/benchmarking live in other knowledge areas entirely. When you see "develop schedule," think forward-looking analytical tools like what-if, schedule compression, and resource optimization.

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