Which factors can negatively impact program cost and schedule?

Which factors can negatively impact program cost and schedule?

• A. Unstable requirements
• B. Minimize assembly requirements
• C. Lean Manufacturing
• D. Define and control interfaces

Answer: (A)

Unstable requirements are the main factor that can derail both cost and schedule. When requirements change late in a project, the team must revisit and revise designs, rework components, update documentation, redo tests, and potentially renegotiate supplier contracts. Each of these steps adds time and money, creating ripple effects that push milestones out and push up the overall budget. The other options tend to help rather than hurt: reducing assembly complexity can lower manufacturing effort and cost; applying Lean practices cuts waste and speeds production; and defining and controlling interfaces reduces integration surprises that would otherwise cause delays and rework. In short, frequent, uncontrolled changes to what is required drive the most cost and schedule risk.

Unstable requirements are the main factor that can derail both cost and schedule. When requirements change late in a project, the team must revisit and revise designs, rework components, update documentation, redo tests, and potentially renegotiate supplier contracts. Each of these steps adds time and money, creating ripple effects that push milestones out and push up the overall budget.

The other options tend to help rather than hurt: reducing assembly complexity can lower manufacturing effort and cost; applying Lean practices cuts waste and speeds production; and defining and controlling interfaces reduces integration surprises that would otherwise cause delays and rework. In short, frequent, uncontrolled changes to what is required drive the most cost and schedule risk.