Project Management Week 5 NPTEL Assignment Answers 2025

NPTEL Project Management Week 5 Assignment Answers 2024

1. Project task E has the following estimates: (1) optimistic time – 10 days, (2) Pessimistic time – 20 days, and (3) Most likely time – 12 Days. The standard deviation for time using the beta statistical distribution is ______________ days.

  • 1.5
  • 1.67
  • 2
  • 2.33

Answer: 1.67

Explanation:
Standard deviation (σ) = (Pessimistic – Optimistic) / 6 = (20 – 10)/6 = 1.67


2. Variance of an activity, σ² =

  • ((a+b)/6)²
  • (b-a)² / 6
  • ((b-a)/6)²
  • (a-b)²

Answer: ((b-a)/6)²

Explanation:
Variance = [ (Pessimistic – Optimistic) / 6 ]² = ((b-a)/6)²


3. Which of the following is not an advantage of a Gantt chart?

  • It can be easily understood
  • Gantt charts are more effective for huge projects than ordinary projects
  • It provides a good picture of the state of the project
  • It is relatively easy to maintain

Answer: Gantt charts are more effective for huge projects than ordinary projects

Explanation:
Gantt charts become cluttered and hard to interpret in large and complex projects.


4. One method of managing uncertainty is to perform ___________ on the data involved in our managerial decisions

  • Simulation
  • Probability analysis
  • Critical path analysis
  • Risk analysis

Answer: Probability analysis

Explanation:
Probability analysis helps evaluate different outcomes and uncertainties using statistical models.


5. Which of the following is not a reason for using Scrum for scheduling?

  • Flexibility and Adaptability
  • Customer Feedback
  • Transparency
  • Resistance

Answer: Resistance

Explanation:
Scrum is known for promoting adaptability, transparency, and feedback. Resistance is not a benefit, it’s a challenge.


6. The formula for computing the cost/time slope for each activity that can be crashed is ____________.

  • (crash cost + normal cost) / (crash time + normal time)
  • (crash cost – normal cost) / (crash time – normal time)
  • (normal cost + crash cost) / (normal time + crash time)
  • (normal cost – crash cost) / (normal time – crash time)

Answer: (crash cost – normal cost) / (crash time – normal time)

Explanation:
Slope = (Crash Cost – Normal Cost) / (Normal Time – Crash Time)


7. If the crash cost is $2,500, the normal cost is $1,500, the crash time is 4, and the normal time is 6, what is the slope?

  • -1,500
  • -1,000
  • +750
  • -500

Answer: -500

Explanation:
Slope = (2500 – 1500) / (6 – 4) = 1000 / 2 = +500, but time reduces, so cost per day saved is -500.


8. ______________ describes the amounts of individual resources an existing schedule requires during specific time periods.

  • Resource loading
  • Resource leveling
  • Scope loading
  • Resource succeeding

Answer: Resource loading

Explanation:
Resource loading shows how much of a resource is needed during a specific period in the project schedule.


9. _____________ itself is always a critical resource in project management, one that is unique because it can neither be inventoried nor renewed.

  • Crashed resources
  • Labor
  • Manpower
  • Time

Answer: Time

Explanation:
Time is the only non-renewable resource in project management; once lost, it cannot be recovered.


10. A project task is said to be __ if it requires a fixed amount of time and known quantities of resources.

  • scope constrained
  • time constrained
  • resource constrained
  • system constrained

Answer: time constrained

Explanation:
Time-constrained tasks must be completed within a fixed schedule regardless of resource availability.