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CAPM Practice: Demonstrate an understanding of a project management plan schedule

Question 70 of 85 in Demonstrate an understanding of a project management plan schedule

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A project schedule shows that Activity B has an SS+5 dependency on Activity A. Activity A starts on Day 1. When is the EARLIEST Activity B can start?

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Correct answer: Day 6 — after Activity A starts plus the 5-day lag

Explanation

SS + 5 lag means B cannot start until 5 days after A starts. If A starts Day 1, B's earliest start is Day 1 + 5 days = Day 6. The lag represents a minimum wait time after the predecessor's start before the successor can begin.

**Why not A:** Day 5 is incorrect because the SS+5 lag is calculated from the start of Activity A, not based on a percentage of completion. The lag is a fixed time delay, and the calculation yields Day 6, not Day 5.

**Why not B:** Resource availability does not determine the earliest start in a dependency-driven schedule. The SS+5 dependency imposes a logical constraint that must be satisfied regardless of when resources become available.

**Why not C:** While SS dependencies do allow activities to start closer together than FS dependencies, the +5 lag means Activity B cannot start simultaneously with Activity A. The 5-day lag must elapse after A starts before B can begin.

Key Concept

This question covers Demonstrate an understanding of a project management plan schedule under Demonstrate an understanding of a project management plan schedule (Predictive, Plan-Based Methodologies).

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