You are managing a software implementation project for a financial services client using a predictive approach with a detailed WBS and network diagram. During the planning phase, you identified a critical dependency: the data migration activity (Activity M, 15 days duration) cannot start until both the database configuration (Activity D, 10 days) and the data cleansing validation (Activity V, 12 days) are complete. Activities D and V can occur in parallel and both start after user requirements approval (Activity R, 8 days). Activity M is followed by user acceptance testing (Activity T, 20 days). If Activity R starts on Day 1, what is the earliest day that user acceptance testing can be completed, and what type of dependency exists between Activities D and V relative to Activity M?

Question

Accepted Answer

The correct answer is A. Option A is correct on both counts. For the calculation: Activity R (8 days) completes on Day 8. Activities D and V then run in parallel, with V being the longer path at 12 days, completing on Day 20. Activity M (15 days) starts on Day 21 and completes on Day 35. Activity T (20 days) then completes on Day 55. The dependency type is mandatory finish-to-start with multiple predecessors (convergence) because Activity M has a technical requirement that both D and V must be fully complete before migration can begin—this is dictated by the logical sequence of work, not by choice. Option B is the main distractor because while the calculation is close (off by 2 days due to miscounting the start day), it incorrectly identifies the dependency as discretionary. The scenario describes a technical requirement ('cannot start until both...are complete'), making this a mandatory dependency driven by the nature of the work itself. Discretionary dependencies are based on best practices or preferences, not technical necessity. Option C has both the wrong calculation and wrong dependency type (start-to-start would mean M could begin when D and V begin, which contradicts the scenario). Option D incorrectly labels this as an external dependency; while client data may be involved, the question asks about the dependency relationship between the activities themselves, which is internal to the project.

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