PMP Study Guide by Sybex Chapter 4
Crashing
A Develop Schedule Process, tool/technique is Schedule Compression. This is a Schedule Compression variation is never initiated by the PM and looks at cost and schedule trade-offs. It adds resources to the critical path tasks or requires extra hours or effort from existing resources. It often leads to increased risk and cost.
Program Evaluation and Review Technique (PERT)
A Develop Schedule tool/technique is a Schedule Network Analysis. This variation was developed by the US Navy in the 1950s to evaluate the project schedule and forecast the probability of on time completion. It is similar to the Critical Path Method (CPM) except the CPM uses the most likely duration of activities and this uses the weighted average expected value to determine activity durations.
bar chart
A project schedule type that represents activities in bars across a timeline. Also called a Gantt chart.
Gantt chart
A project schedule type that represents activities in bars across a timeline. Also called a bar chart. (2 words)
program evaluation and review technique (PERT)
A schedule network analysis technique that uses weighted averages in computing Expected Values to determine the activity/project duration. For each activity, the optimistic, 4xmost likely, and pessimistic duration is averaged for a weighted average. If desired the standard deviation can be determined to calculate early and late start and finish dates for each activity.
reverse resource allocation scheduling
A technique to optimize resources that assigns activities starting with the the project end date and proceeding backward through the schedule. It is used when specific resources are needed at certain times in the project. (4 words)
Deliverable
A unique or verifiable product or result that must be produced or performed in order to consider the project or phase complete. (1 word)
Estimate Activity Resources
Activity Resource Requirements and Resource Breakdown Structure are outputs of this process.
resources
All the people, equipment, materials, supplies, software, hardware, etc. used by the project.
resource based method
Also known as resource leveling, this is used when resources are over allocated, are only available at certain times, or when they are assigned to more than one activity at a time. The project manager attempts to balance out the resource assignments by adjusting activity dates, or assigning more tasks to resources that are underutilized, etc. The critical path may change and the project delivery may change with this method.
float time
Also known as slack time this is the amount of time you can delay the start of a task without delaying the end of the project (total) or the amount of time you can delay the start of a task without delaying the successor task (free). Total and Free are the two types. (2 words)
Estimate Activity Resources
Alternatives Analysis, Published Estimating Data, Bottom-Up Estimating, and Project Management Software are tools/techniques for this process.
Activity
An individual unit of work decomposed from WBS Work Packages that must be completed to fulfill the work listed in the WBS.
project calendar
An input to the project schedule that provides company holidays, shift schedules, and so on.
resource breakdown structure (RBS)
An output of Estimate Activity Resources process this is similar to an organizational breakdown structure this lists resources by category and type.
schedule baseline
Another name for the original approved project schedule.
milestone chart
Another way to depict project schedule events that shows only key events and their start and stop dates. These key events can be shown in a bar chart or table.
critical path method (CPM)
Done - A Develop Schedule process tool/technique is Schedule Network Analysis. This variation estimates the minimum project duration. It determines the amount of float, or schedule flexibility, for each of the network paths by calculating the earliest start date, earliest finish date, (forward pass) and latest start date and latest finish date (backward pass) for each activity. By this it determines the amount of float or schedule flexibility for each of the network paths and which one has no or negative float. Resource availability is not considered. (3 words)
critical chain
Done - In Develop Schedule process this is the new critical path after resource restrictions are accounted for by adding buffers.
leads
Done - In Sequencing Activities these should be considered when determining activity dependencies. These speed up successor (later) activity starts. Time is subtracted from the start date of the later activity (earlier start) or from the finish date of the earlier activity (earlier finish).
critical path (CP)
Done - In the Develop Schedule process, when looking at the project network diagram, this is the line through the diagram with the largest total duration. That is all tasks on that line are summed to obtain the duration for that line. It also represents the sequence of activities that can not be delayed without delaying the whole project. (2 words)
finish, finished
Done - In the Schedule Activities process, Precedence Diagramming Method, the Finish to Finish (FF) logical relationship type, task B cannot _________ until task A is __________.
start, finished
Done - In the Schedule Activities process, Precedence Diagramming Method, the Finish to Start (FS) logical relationship type, task B cannot ________ until task A is __________.
finish, started
Done - In the Schedule Activities process, Precedence Diagramming Method, the Start to Finish logical relationship type, task B cannot __________ until task A has ___________.
start, started
Done - In the Schedule Activities process, Precedence Diagramming Method, the Start to Start (SS) logical relationship type, task B cannot __________ until task A has ___________.
Sequence Activities
Done - In this process activities are placed into a logical order with dependencies shown. Precedence diagramming method (PDM), dependency determination, and leads/lags are all tools used in this process.
milestones
Done - Major accomplishments of the project that mark the completion of major deliverables or other key events in the project
hard dependencies
Done - Sequence Activities Process: Dependency Determination Tool/Technique. This type of dependency is also known as Mandatory Dependencies or Hard Logic. These are relationships between activities that can not be altered and constrain the project
soft logic
Done - Sequence Activities Process: Dependency Determination Tool/Technique: Another name for Discretionary Dependencies and also known as preferred logic, or preferential logic between project activities. These are best practice dependencies based on past experience.
external dependencies
Done - Sequence Activities Process: Dependency Determination tool/technique. These are relationships between activities where one of the activities occurs outside the project. The team has little control over these but may be constrained by them.
precedence diagramming method (PDM)
Done - Sequence Activities Process: This tool/technique to sequence activities uses boxes (also called nodes) to represent activities connected by arrows which show dependencies. Also known as Activity on Node method.
project schedule
Done - The output of the Develop Schedule process, this is a standard deliverable produced by the project manager that presents each activity, the start and finish dates, the durations, dependencies among activities, milestones and resources. (2 words)
Estimate Activity Durations
Done - This process attempts to estimate the work effort, resources, and number of work periods (hours, days, etc) needed to complete each activity.
Resource Smoothing
Done - Within the Develop Schedule process, one tool/technique is Resource Optimization Techniques. There are two resource optimization techniques. In this one, activities are moved within their float times without changing the critical path or project end date to accommodate resource availability. It is used when the project needs to meet a specific date and there are resource challenges. The end date is not changed. (2 words)
critical chain method
Done - Within the Develop Schedule process, this Schedule Network Analysis technique will modify the project schedule by accounting for limited or restricted resources or for unforeseen project issues by adding buffers to pad the schedule. (3 words)
fast tracking
Done - within the Develop Schedule process, Schedule Compression is a tool/technique. This type causes two tasks or project phases that were scheduled to run in series to run in parallel. It only works for activities that can be overlapped.
Three Point Estimating
Estimate Activity Durations - this tool/technique uses three estimates that are averaged to come up with the final estimate. The three are most likely, optimistic and pessimistic.
analogous estimating
Estimate Activity Durations Process: Also known as Top Down Estimating this used to identify the duration of an activity based on the actual duration of a similar activity completed on a prior project. This is an easy method that provides gross estimates.
activity duration estimates
Estimate Activity Durations Process: These are the primary process output and are quantifiable estimates for the amount of time needed to complete a schedule task and are usually expressed in hours or days. (3 words)
most likely, optimistic, pessimistic
In Estimate Activity Durations there are two formulas for Expected Value. In the one used in PERT it is computed using a weighted average. The _______ estimate for activity duration is given a 4x higher weighting than _________ and _________ estimates.
Reserve Analysis
In Estimate Activity Durations, this technique involves studying contingency reserves and management reserves.
three point estimating
In Estimate Activity Durations, this technique is used to identify the duration of an activity based on an average or weighted average of the most likely estimate, a pessimistic estimate, and an optimistic estimate. (3 words)
total float (TF)
In Schedule Network Analysis and the Critical Path Method. This type of float is the amount of time you can delay the start of a task without delaying the end of the project.
1
In Sequence Activities, the Precedence Diagramming Method uses how many estimates to determine duration? (number)
hammock
In a project network diagram, this is a collection of related activities that are rolled up to (grouped at) a summary heading.
Stakeholders
In a project who selects the activity duration estimating model?
successor activities
In schedule network analysis those tasks that occur after other tasks. (2 words)
slack time
In the Critical Path Method this is also known as float time. Total Float and Free Float are the two types. It is the amount of time you can delay the start of a task without delaying the end of the project (total) or the amount of time you can delay the start of a task without delaying the successor task (free). (2 words)
RACI
In the PMBOK RAM is the same as this
free float (FF)
In the Schedule Network Analysis Critical Path Method, this is the type of float that is the amount of time you can delay the start of a task without delaying the start of the successor task. (2 words)
hammocks
In the Schedule Network Diagram, Summary level activities that are a collection of related activities known as _________ (1 word)
dependencies
In the Sequence Activities, Precedence Diagramming Method technique: These are relationships between activities in which one activity is tied to another in some way. For example, one activity may not be able to start until another is completed. The four types are Finish to Start (FS), Finish to Finish (FF), Start to Start (SS), Start to Finish (SF). They are also known as logical relationships. (1 word)
preferential logic
In the Sequence Activities: Dependency Determination tool/technique: Also known as discretionary dependencies, preferred logic, or soft-logic, these dependencies are defined by the project team. These relationships between tasks are often based on best practices or past experience.
forward pass
On the project network diagram this is used to calculate the earliest start and finish dates for each task starting with the first and proceeding through all tasks to the end of the project. (2 words)
backward pass
On the project network diagram this is used to calculate the latest start and finish dates for each task starting with the last task and proceeding in reverse through all tasks to the start of the project. (2 words)
what-if scenario analysis
One Develop Schedule tool / technique is Modeling Techniques. This Modeling Technique uses different sets of activity assumptions to produce multiple project durations that can be examined. It considers "What-if ______________ happens to the project". These assumptions are potential impacts that can have positive or negative impact on the project. It is used to determine the feasibility of the project schedule under adverse conditions. (4 words)
activity on node (AON)
Sequence Activities Process: Another name for Precedence Diagramming Method (PDM) in which project activities are represented by boxes connected by arrows which show dependencies.
internal dependencies
Sequence Activities Process: Dependency Determination tool/technique: These are relationships between activities for which both activities are within the project. They may constrain the project and influence how activities are scheduled. (2 words)
hard logic
Sequence Activities Process: Dependency Determination: Another name for Mandatory Dependencies between project activities.
precedence relationships
Sequence Activities: PDM Tool/technique: In the precedence diagramming method (PDM) there are four types of logical relationships between activities. This term is used to describe those relationships and other terms are logical relationships, or dependencies.
logical relationships
Sequence Activities: Precedence Diagramming Method (PDM) tool/technique: there are four types of these, they are also known as dependencies and precedence relationships. The four types are Finish-to-Start, Start-to-Finish, Finish-to-Finish, and Start-to-Start.
activity on arrow (AOA)
Sequence Activities: Precedence Diagramming Method is the current sequencing technique. This is an older technique using circles and arrows. The circles are nodes but the activities are listed on the arrows. Another name is Arrow Diagramming Method (ADM)
Estimate Activity Resources
The inputs to this process are the Activity List, Risk Register, Activity Cost Estimates, Resource Calendar.
Estimate Activity Durations
The primary output of this process is the Activity Duration Estimates.
major deliverables, phases, subprojects.
The second level in a WBS below Project Name contains one of these (___ ___ , ___, or _____)
schedule management plan
The subsidiary plan of the Project Management Plan that serves to describe how the project schedule will be developed, monitored, controlled, and changed.
time reserves
The time that is added to a project schedule to account for resource restrictions and KNOWN project risks that have documented contingency or mitigation response plans. It is also known as contingency reserves or buffers. (2 words)
Define Activities
The tools and techniques of this process are Decomposition, Rolling Wave Planning (planning near-term work in more detail), and Expert Judgement.
Project Name
The top level of the WBS (2 words)
Develop Schedule
There are 8 tools and techniques of this process including Schedule Network Analysis, Critical Path Method, Critical Chain Method, Resource Optimization Techniques, Modeling Techniques, Leads and Lags, Schedule Compression and Scheduling Tool.
contingency reserves
These are also known as buffers or time reserves. They are time or money that is added to the schedule or budget to account for risks or uncertainties. These are for KNOWN risks that have been documented. (2 words)
Work package
These is the bottom breakdown level found in a WBS (2 words)
buffers
This is a term for the time that is added to a project schedule to account for resource restrictions and known risks that have documented contingency or mitigation response plans. Also known as contingency reserves and time reserves.
Dependency Determination
This is a tool/technique of the Sequence Activities process and identifies dependencies between activities. (2 words)
activity list
This is an output of the Define Activities Process and contains all the schedule activities that will be performed for the project with a scope and identifer for each. It is derived by decomposing work packages.
arrow diagramming method
This is the formal name for an alternative to the Precedence Diagramming Method which is older and uses circles and arrows rather than boxes and arrows. Activities are listed on the arrows in this technique.
Schedule Network Diagram
This is the main output of the Sequence Activities Process. (3 words)
Define Activities
This process is a further breakdown of the Work Package Elements of the WBS and has three outputs 1) Activity List, 2) Activity Attributes, 3) Milestone List.
Develop Schedule
This process is concerned with laying out the schedule for the project activities.
simulation
Within the Develop Schedule process, a tool/technique is Modeling Techniques. One of these is What-if Scenario Analysis the other uses a range of probable activity durations for each activity and those ranges are then used to calculate a range of probable durations results for the project itself. Monte Carlo is a variety of it.
schedule compression
Within the Develop Schedule process, this is a technique used to shorten the project schedule duration without changing the project scope. There are two types: Crashing and Fast Tracking. (2 words)
resource calendar
done - A schedule which describes the time frames when resources (both human and material) are available.
activity attributes
done - Define Activities Process: These are the characteristics of the activities on the activity list. They change over the course of the project as more information is known. Examples are activity ID, activity name, predecessor and successors, leads and lags, resource requirements, constraints and assumptions.
Monte Carlo
done - Develop Schedule Process: Modeling Techniques tool/technique: This is a Simulation technique that runs the possible activity durations and schedule projections many, many times to come up with the schedule projections and their probability, critical path duration estimates, and float time. (2 words)
parametric estimating
done - Estimate Activity Durations Process: A method for activity duration estimating that is based on multiplying the quantity of repeated work by the time needed to do that work one time. The time to do the activity once is based on expert judgment or historical data. An alternate algorithm may also be used with the historical data to estimate durations. (2 words)
top-down estimating
done - Estimate Activity Durations Process: Also known as Analogous Estimating, this used to identify the duration of an activity based on the actual duration of a similar activity completed on a prior project. This is an easy method that provides gross estimates.
lags
done - In Sequencing Activities, these should be considered when determining dependencies. These occur when time elapses between two activities which delays a successor (later) activity from starting. They are represented by adding time to the start date of the later activity or to the finish date of the earlier activity.
Bottom Up Estimating
done - In the Estimate Activity Resources process, in this technique you estimate individual schedule activity individually and then roll up that estimate to come up with a total for a work package. (3 words)
mandatory dependencies
done - Sequence Activities: Dependency Determination tool/technique: Also known as Hard Logic or Hard Dependencies these are relationships between activities that can not be altered and constrain the project (2 words)
discretionary dependencies
done - Sequence Activities: Dependency Determination tool/technique: These are relationships between activities that are defined by the project team and are usually "best-practice" techniques based on past experience. They are also known as Preferred Logic, Soft Logic, Preferential Logic. (2 words)
management reserves
done - These are a portion of time or money that is added to the schedule or budget to account for UNKNOWN risks or uncertainties.
Estimate Activity Resources
done - This process is concerned with determining the types of resources needed (both human and material) and in what quantities for each schedule activity.
Most Likely Value
done - When Estimating Activity Durations, the difference between Critical Path Method (CPM) and PERT is that PERT uses a weighted average emphasizing this while CPM uses a straight average.
schedule network analysis
done - Within the Develop Schedule Process, there are 8 tools and techniques. This technique is what produces the project schedule. It uses analytical techniques such as CPM, Critical Chain Method, what-if analysis, and resource leveling to calculate dates and create the schedule. Resource limitations are not taken into consideration, You are attempting to establish the time periods within which the activities can be scheduled. (3 words)
Resource Leveling
done - Within the Develop Schedule process, one tool/technique is Resource Optimization. This type of Resource Optimization is also known as resource-based method. It is used when resources are over allocated, are only available at certain times, or when they are assigned to more than one activity at a time. The project manager attempts to balance out the resource assignments by adjusting activity dates, or assigning more tasks to resources that are underutilized, etc. The critical path may change and the project delivery may change with this method.
Plan Schedule Management
done This process is used to develop the Schedule Management Plan. It includes the methodologies and tools that will be used to develop the project schedule, Accuracy Levels (rounding that will be used in activity durations), Units of Measure (hours, days, weeks), Control Thresholds (level of variance schedule can experience before action taken), and Performance Measurement Rules (used to verify schedule performance).
Estimate Activity Durations
done. Tools / techniques of this process are Expert judgment, Analogous Estimating, Parametric Estimating, Three Point Estimating, Group Decision Making, Reserve Analysis.
