Chapter 5: Project Schedule

what are the 4 types of task dependencies? (def)

-mandatory -discretionary -external -internal

Network diagram

A depiction of project activities and the interrelationships between these activities.

Activity list

A list of all the activities required to complete the work of the project that also includes an identifier code and the WBS code it's associated with. Activities are broken down from the work package level of the WBS.

Finish-to-finish (FF)

A project task relationship in which the finish of the successor task is dependent on the finish of the predecessor task.

Finish-to-start (FS)

A project task relationship in which the successor task cannot begin until the predecessor task has completed.

Start-to-start (SS)

A project task relationship where the start of the successor task depends on the start of the predecessor task.

Fast-tracking

A schedule compression technique where two activities that were previously scheduled to start sequentially start at the same time. Fast-tracking reduces schedule duration.

Start-to-finish (SF)

A task relationship where the finish of the successor task is dependent on the start of its predecessor.

External dependency

A type of dependency where a relationship between a project task and a factor outside the project, such as weather conditions, drives the scheduling of that task.

Mandatory dependency

A type of dependency where the relationship between two tasks is created by the type of work the project requires.

Analogous estimating

An estimating technique that uses the actual duration of a similar, completed activity to determine the duration of the current activity; top-down; least accurate

Activity duration

Assessing the number of work periods needed to complete the project activities. Work periods are usually expressed in hours or days. Large projects might express duration in weeks or months.

CPM

Critical path method; A schedule development method that determines a single early and late start date, early and late finish date, and the float for each activity on the project.

what is the most commonly used logical relationship?

FS

what is a float?

It's the amount of time an activity can be delayed without delaying the project completion date.

what are two common forms to display project schedules?

PERT charts Gnatt charts

PDM

Precedence diagramming method; A network diagramming method that places activities on nodes, which connect to dependent activities using arrows. Also known as activity on node.

PERT

Program evaluation and review technique; Calculates the expected value, or weighted average, of critical path tasks to determine project duration by using three estimates: most likely, pessimistic, and optimistic. The PERT calculation is (optimistic + pessimistic + (4 × most likely)) / 6.

Float time

The amount of time the early start of a task may be delayed without delaying the finish date of the project. Also known as slack time.

Logical relationships

The dependency relationships that may exist between tasks. Finish-to-start is the most common logical relationship.

Schedule baseline

The final, approved project schedule that is used during project execution to monitor project progress.

Critical path (CP)

The longest path through the project. Activities with zero float are considered critical path tasks.

Dependencies

The relationship between project activities.

Dependency relationships

The type of dependency between two activities and the specific relationship between the activities.

Duration compression

The use of techniques such as fast-tracking or crashing to shorten the planned duration of a project or to resolve schedule slippage.

You are working on your network diagram. Activity A is a predecessor to Activity B. Activity B cannot begin until Activity A is completed. What is this telling you?

There is a finish-to-start dependency relationship between Activity A and Activity B.

Crashing

This is a schedule compression technique that adds resources to the project to reduce the time it takes to complete the project.

What is analogous estimating also referred to as?

Top-down estimating

governance gates (3)

approval points in the project; client sign-off, management approval, legislative approval

Gnatt chart

bar graph showing production managers what projects are being worked on and what stage they are in at any given time; displays tasks using horizontal bars across a timeline

discretionary dependencies

defined by the project management team; usually process or procedure driven and requires approvals and sign-offs

What are the crashing and fast tracking techniques used for?

duration compression

You are a project manager for a major movie studio. You need to schedule a shoot in Denver during ski season. This is an example of what type of dependency?

external dependency

PERT chart

production schedule specifying the sequence of activities, time requirements, and critical path for performing the steps in a project; graphical rep of the project's timeline

You have added a checkpoint in the project schedule to determine whether the work is accurate. What is this called?

quality gate

parametric estimating

quantitatively based estimate tat multiples the quantity of work by the rate of work; need to know the productivity rate of resource

Internal dependencies

relationship btwn tasks are confined within the project; under the control of the PT

What has been established as a result of the sponsor, customer, and key stakeholders signing off on the project schedule?

schedule baseline

quality gates

similar to milestones; used to determine qualilty checks at strategic points

duration compression

technique used during planning stage to shorten planned duration of project; helps resolve schedule slippage