1. How do you define CPM scheduling?

ItstandsforCriticalPathMethodofscheduling.Itisusuallyperformedwithsomesortof
schedulingsoftware.Itisalistofallactivitiesrequiredtocompletetheproject(typically
categorizedwithinaworkbreakdownstructure),ittakesintoconsiderationthetimeelement
ordurationthateachactivitywilltaketocompletion,andthedependenciesbetweenthe
activities.CPMcalculatesthelongestpathofplannedactivitiestotheendoftheproject,and
theearliestandlatestthateachactivitycanstartandfinishwithoutmakingtheprojectlonger.

2. What is the definition of a critical path?

The most critical path is the longest path thru the project with the least amount of float.
3. What is the difference between crashing a schedule and fast tracking a schedule?
Crashing a schedule involves reducing durations and doing things quicker than original planned.
Fast tracking is revising logic to do activities concurrently or in parallel
4. What are the three major components of scheduling?
Plan, Monitor & Control
5. How would you create a cash flow curve in a scheduling program?
Assign a resource to each activity and put a dollar value on each resource
6. How would you create a manpower histogram and curve in a scheduling program?
Assign a resource to each activity and put man-hours on each resource
7. What is float and who owns the float?
The ownership of float is usually called out in the specifications. It usually states that it is not
specifically owned by anyone but is a project commodity. Real world is whoever used it first
owned it.
8. What is a constraint?
It is usually something that prevents something from starting or finishing or imposes a start or
finish time.
9. Do you believe that negative lags should ever be used? If so why? If not why?
NO they should not be used because it does not show the float values correctly.
10. Typically should mandatory constraints be used? If so why? If not why?
No because mandatory constraints over rides logic
11. What is the largest project schedule that you have ever managed? Number of activities?

About 20,000 your answer will vary

12. What is the largest project schedule that you have ever managed? Dollar value?
About $3 billion your answer will vary
13. Have you ever incorporated change order or change notices or extra work items into the
schedule? If so what was the format that you used?
Yes, I incorporated them using the fragnet technique
14. When referring to the contemporaneous schedule what schedule is that referring to?
Usually referred to when analyzing a delay situation and refers to the schedule that was in effect
during the time of the delay.
15. What is mean by the term EOT?
Extension of Time
16. What is the proper way to record progress in a schedule?
Record the actual start, actual finish dates, remaining duration, percent complete, actual costs
and actual man-hours. Also incorporate any change orders issued during that update into the
schedule as well as logic changes.
17. If the project that you were working on fell behind schedule what would you? What steps
would you take to bring it back in line?
1st determine who is responsible for the delay. 2nd meet with all parties involved and look for the
most economical way to recover the schedule. Fast track or crash or do nothing.
18. What is the forward pass and what dates are derived from the forward pass?
Starts calculations at the beginning or the data date and goes forward in time and considers the
logic and durations which determines the Early start and early finish dates for each activity.
19. What is the backward pass and what dates are derived from the backward pass?
Starts calculations at the end of the project and goes backward in time and considers the logic
and durations which determines the late start and late finish dates for each activity.

20. Why should we hire you?

Because I have the experience and I can do the job. Expand on your skills here
21. What do you consider your strengths?
I am a good listener and a great communication and know how to organize information. Expand
on your skills here

22. What do you consider your weaknesses?

I do not like to fail at anything. Expand on your skills here
23. How do you handle constructive criticism?
I use it motivate myself to perform better.
24. Where do you see yourself in 5 years from now? (short term goals)
I see myself in a Supervisorial role
25. Where do you see yourself 10 years from now ? (long term goals)
I see myself in an Upper Management role
25. Do you belong to any National Project Controls Organizations which as PMI?
YES insert your own organizations here
26. Are you willing to travel?
Yes
27. Why should we hire you?
Because I can do the job. Expand your education and skill set here.
Power plant specific
1. Have you ever done any outage scheduling?
Yes
2. Have you ever scheduled down to the hour as a planning unit?
Yes
3. During an outage how many times a day you update the schedule
At least twice per day.
4. Do you have any power plant experience?
Yes