Primavera P6 Notes
Primavera P6 Notes
Primavera P6 Notes
1. What is the difference between free float, and total float, and what is the difference between Float and Slack?
Float and slack are two different words for the same meaning.
Free Float: the amount of time, an activity can be delayed without delaying the successor activity
Total Float: the amount of time, an activity can be delayed without delaying the project finish date.
4. What is WBS?
WBS means Work Breakdown Structure. it represents a hierarchical breakdown of a Project into elements and
deliverables.
6. What is the difference between Retained Logic & Override Logic in progress update?
If a project is generally running according to plan and activities are not progressed out of sequence then there will
be virtually no difference between the two methods. BIG differences come when activities are progressed out of
sequence.
I believe in retained logic. Invariably that will produce the longest critical path but if activities have been progressed
out of sequence, there could be some resulting illogical dependencies remaining, in particular resulting from
dependencies with durations.
Progress override invariably produces a shorter critical path and again there could be some illogical lack of
dependencies resulting from activities having been progressed out of sequence.
Use the Activity Usage Profile to view cost or unit values for activities in the open project over time according to a
timescale you specify. The Activity Usage Profile displays resource allocations for all activities or for the activities
you select in the Activity Table, Activity Usage Spreadsheet, Gantt chart, or the Activity Network.
10. What is the difference between flag and milestone activity in primavera?
Milestone & flags both are events rather than activities. Some client likes to use flags rather than milestone due to
the following differences.
With the use of flags, the logic of the main event can be easily tracked as these cannot be created without a
predecessor as stand-alone allocating the constraint. Whereas milestones can.
Flags cannot update manually as Primavera automatically update the status whereas milestone can be updated
manually.
11. What are the early warning signs you look for when reviewing progress against a schedule?
Despite many efforts, a schedule can quickly spiral out of control and this will determine if they have a plan to
minimize avoidable gaps and delays.
15. How would you deal with an incomplete project or one that has missing information?
This question tells a lot about how they handle missing data and if they would be proactive in filling in the pieces
from the team – trying to create a clear plan of action.
16. How do you schedule, manage and track Permits, Right of Way, and/or Utility Relocation?
Since these items fall into the “red-tape” of dealing with outside access, you want to find out how they are going
to keep these items on track and in constant focus on the schedule. A couple of milestones may not be enough to
make sure these items get continued focus.
18. What is your approach to delivering bad news so the message won’t destroy your relationships?
This shows how well they deal with confrontation – unavoidable and common in project environments. Are they
thinking about fostering productive relationships or just covering their butts when things go wrong?
19. How would you go about winning over a PM that doesn’t take your input into consideration?
Relationships stuff again. Are they able to tread lightly and be persuasive? When personalities clash are they able
to rise above?
20. How would you rate your level of enthusiasm about project controls?
People who are enthusiastic about their professionalism are going to uplift the team and help everyone stay
optimistic. Having a passion for what you do is contagious to those around you.
21. How have you improved project controls processes at your previous company?
Project Controllers don’t necessarily get the chance to influence final project decisions but they do get the
opportunity to offer suggestions. This shows if they have ideas and want to express them, hopefully making things
a bit better for everyone.