Ch.3 CIS 330

Explain the differences between a Gantt chart and a PERT/CPM chart

A Gantt chart is a bar chart that represents a set of tasks A PERT/CPM is a chart that analyzes a large project as a series of individual tasks. PERT/CPM charts are considered to be more useful for scheduling, monitoring, and controlling the work.

network diagram

A PERT chart also is referred to as a network diagram.

task name

A brief descriptive name for a task, which does not have to be unique in the project. For example, a task named Conduct Interviews might appear in several phases of the project.

task box

A component of a PERT/CPM chart that contains important scheduling and duration informa- tion about a task. Each task in a project is represented by its own task box in the PERT/CPM chart.

Gantt chart

A horizontal bar chart that illustrates a schedule. Developed many years ago by Henry L. Gantt as a production control technique. Still are in common use today.

task pattern

A logical sequence of tasks in a work breakdown structure. Can involve sequential tasks, multiple successor tasks, and multiple predecessor tasks.

bottom-up technique

A method for analyzing a large, complex project as a series of individual tasks, called project tasks.

task iD

A number or code that uniquely identifies a task.

risk response plan

A proactive effort to anticipate a risk and describe an action plan to deal with it. An effective risk response plan can reduce the overall impact by triggering a timely and appropriate action.

work breakdown structure (WBS)

A project broken down into a series of smaller tasks.

Write the script for a one-minute explanation of basic project management concept

A project manager leads the project. They are usually experienced analyst or IT managers. Project planning includes the project objectives and the time and cost it will take to complete each one. Project scheduling includes making a timeline through charts which show tasks, task dependencies, and critical tasks. This also includes selecting the project team and assigning specific tasks. Project monitoring requires guiding, supervising, and coordinating the project and the team. Project reporting includes regular progress reports to management, users, and the project team itself.

event

A reference point that marks a major occurrence. Used to monitor progress and manage a project.

milestone

A reference point that marks a major occurrence. Used to monitor progress and manage a project.

structured walk-through

A review of a project team member's work by other members of the team. Generally, systems analysts review the work of other systems analysts, and programmers review the work of other programmers, as a form of peer review. Should take place throughout the SDLC and are called requirements reviews, design reviews, code reviews, or testing reviews, depending on the phase in which they occur.

critical path

A series of events and activities with no slack time. If any activity along the critical path falls behind schedule, the entire project schedule is similarly delayed. As the name implies, a critical path includes all activities that are vital to the project schedule.

predecessor task

A single prior task upon which two or more concurrent tasks depend.

dependent task

A task is said to be dependent when it has to be completed in a serial sequence.

What is a task? What is an event? What is a milestone?

A task is work done that is done with the use of company resources. An example would be conducting surveys or training users. Events and milestones are specific points that can be used to measure progress of the project. An example would be completing all planned interviews within a specific time period.

concurrent task

A task that can be completed at the same time as (in parallel with) another task

task group

A task that represents several activities.

design review

An analysis of the design of a software program by key personnel from different levels of the project.

risk

An event that could affect the project negatively.

weight

An important multiplier that managers factor into estimates so they can be analyzed.

activity

Any work that has a beginning and an end, and requires the use of company resources includ- ing people, time, and/or money. Examples include conducting a series of interviews, designing a report, selecting software, waiting for the delivery of equipment, and training users. See also task.

task

Any work that has a beginning and an end, and requires the use of company resources including people, time, and/or money. Examples include conducting a series of interviews, designing a report, selecting software, waiting for the delivery of equipment, and training users.

What are the three main task patterns? Provide an example of each

Dependent tasks are tasks that depend on one another. Multiple successor tasks are tasks that cannot be started until a specific task is done before them. Multiple Predecessor tasks is a task that cannot be started until multiple specific tasks before it are complete.

successor task

Each of the concurrent tasks of a predecessor task.

qualitative risk analysis

Evaluating risk by estimating the probability that it will occur and the degree of impact.

Brooks' Law

Frederick Brooks, an IBM engineer, observed that adding more manpower to a late soft- ware project only makes it later.

project monitoring

Guiding, supervising, and coordinating the project team's workload.

project planning

Identifying project tasks and estimating completion time and costs.

What is a common problem in calculating start and finish times? Provide an example

If the two taks are given and they are dependent on one another. The second task cannot have started, until the first task is completed. Then it cannot determine how long will take to complete the second taskt.

risk management plan

Includes a review of the project's scope, stakeholders, budget, schedule, and any other internal or external factors that might affect the project. The plan should define project roles and responsibilities, risk management methods and procedures, categories of risks, and contingency plans.

risk identification

Listing each risk and assessing the likelihood that it could affect a project.

code review

Presenting the code to multiple reviewers in order to reach agreement about its security.

project reporting

Providing regular progress reports to management, users, and the project team itself.

Why is it important to deliver effective project reports and communications?

Reports and communications are important because they keep supervisors in the know and make you stay within budget.

What is risk management, and why is it important? Provide an example.

Risk management is basically an approach in which we explore identify, analyze and mitigate the risks that can affect our project. Risk management is an important part of project management which if done efficiently leads to the success of your project.

Critical Path Method (CPM)

Shows a project as a network diagram. The activities are shown as vectors, and the events are displayed graphically as nodes. Although CPM developed separately from the Program Evaluation Review Technique (PERT), the two methods are essentially identical. See also PERT/CPM.

open source

Software that is supported by a large group of users and developers. The source code is made freely available.

PERT/CPM

The Program Evaluation Review Technique (PERT) was developed by the U.S. Navy to manage very complex projects, such as the construction of nuclear submarines. At approximately the same time, the Critical Path Method (CPM) was developed by private industry to meet similar project management needs. The important distinctions between the two methods have disappeared over time, and today the technique is called either PERT, CPM, or PERT/CPM.

slack time

The amount of time by which an event can be late without delaying the project. The dif- ference between latest completion time (LCT) and earliest completion time (ECT).

duration

The amount of time it will take to complete a task.

person-day

The amount of work that one person can complete in one day.

project scheduling

The creation of a specific timetable to facilitate completion of a project. Also involves selecting and staffing the project team and assigning specific tasks to team members

finish day/date

The day or date when a task is scheduled to be finished.

start day/date

The day or date when a task is scheduled to begin.

probable-case estimate

The most likely outcome is called a probable-case estimate.

best-case estimate

The most optimistic outcome

worst-case estimate

The most pessimistic outcome

project leader

The person charged with leading a project from a technical perspective.

project manager

The person charged with managing a project from an administrative perspective.

project coordinator

The person who handles administrative responsibilities for the development team and negotiates with users who might have conflicting requirements or want changes that would require additional time or expense.

risk management

The process of identifying, evaluating, tracking, and controlling risks to minimize their impact.

project management

The process of planning, scheduling, monitoring, controlling, and reporting upon the development of an information system.

project triangle

The three major components of a project: cost, scope, and time. A project manager tries to find the optimal balance among these factors.

Why is the critical path important? Why would a task be on the critical path?

Understanding the critical path of the project allows the company to prioritize which tasks require a greater focus. Those tasks falling along the critical path directly impact the ability of the company to complete the project on time. Any delay in these tasks set back the project completion date.

What specific information do you need to create a work breakdown structure?

We should understand the two primary charts which are Gantt charts and PERT/CPM charts.

What formula can a project manager use to estimate task duration?

expected task duration = (B+4P+W)/6