PK0-004 · Question #144
A team member learns that an assigned task is not due until the very end of the project. Moreover, the team member is not aware of any predecessor tasks dependent on completing the assigned task…
The correct answer is B. Review the PERT chart and evaluate if the task is a discretionary dependency. Discretionary dependencies (soft logic) represent preferred or best-practice sequencing that is not technically required. Reviewing these tells the PM whether a task's timing is flexible.
Question
A team member learns that an assigned task is not due until the very end of the project. Moreover, the team member is not aware of any predecessor tasks dependent on completing the assigned task. Which of the following does the project manager use to decide if the team member can start the task later or earlier?
Options
- AReview the PERT chart and evaluate if the task is a critical dependency.
- BReview the PERT chart and evaluate if the task is a discretionary dependency.
- CReview the PERT chart and evaluate if the task is a real dependency.
- DReview the PERT chart and evaluate if the task is an external dependency.
How the community answered
(36 responses)- A3% (1)
- B92% (33)
- C6% (2)
Why each option
Discretionary dependencies (soft logic) represent preferred or best-practice sequencing that is not technically required. Reviewing these tells the PM whether a task's timing is flexible.
A critical dependency identifies tasks on the critical path where any delay impacts the project end date, which does not address whether the task's start time is flexible.
A discretionary dependency is one based on team preference, historical best practices, or optional sequencing - not a hard technical or contractual requirement. Because no predecessor tasks depend on completing this task, the constraint is discretionary, meaning the project manager can choose to start the task earlier or later without violating a mandatory dependency. Evaluating the PERT chart for discretionary dependencies reveals this scheduling flexibility.
A 'real dependency' (mandatory dependency) is a hard, unavoidable constraint - the opposite of what describes a task with no predecessor requirements.
An external dependency involves a relationship to work outside the project's control, which is unrelated to the team member's scheduling flexibility.
Concept tested: Discretionary dependencies and schedule flexibility in PERT
Source: https://www.pmi.org/pmbok-guide-standards/foundational/pmbok
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