Activities vs. events – identify the incorrect statement Which of the following statements about project activities and events is wrong?

Difficulty: Easy

Correct Answer: The turning of a job on a lathe is an event, whereas “job turned” is an activity.

Explanation:

Introduction / Context:Project networks distinguish between activities (work that takes time/resources) and events (milestones or instantaneous points). Confusing the two leads to faulty schedules and misleading progress tracking.

Given Data / Assumptions:

  • Activity: time- and resource-consuming task (e.g., “turn job on lathe”).
  • Event: a zero-duration milestone (e.g., “job turned”).
  • We follow standard CPM/PERT terminology.

Concept / Approach:An activity is the process; an event is the state change marking its start or completion. Activities are represented by arrows or bars; events by nodes or milestones with zero duration.

Step-by-Step Solution:Identify which statement reverses definitions.“Turning of a job on a lathe” clearly consumes time/resources, so it is an activity.“Job turned” signifies completion, which is an event (instantaneous).Therefore, the given statement in option (d) is wrong.

Verification / Alternative check:Gantt or arrow diagrams label activities with durations; milestones have zero duration and mark “start” or “finish” events like “job turned.”

Why Other Options Are Wrong:Options (a), (b), and (c) correctly reflect standard definitions; option (e) cannot be true because one statement is indeed wrong.

Common Pitfalls:Treating milestones as buffer tasks; assigning resources to events.

Final Answer:The turning of a job on a lathe is an event, whereas “job turned” is an activity.

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