Project Management Chapter 9
Consider the software programmer loading chart presented in Figure 8-2. What percent of available time is the software programmer assigned to work activities on Thursday?
200%
In a RACI chart, the single individual who will have to provide an explanation if something goes wrong is indicated with a(n) ___.
A - Accountable
Resource breakdown structure
A grouping of all resources in the main categories in level one in populating each Main category with resources based on either function or skill level
Responsibility assignment matrix
A matrix that shows all the work packages and the resources assigned for various responsibilities regarding each work package
Fast tracking
A message to expedite a project by executing activities at the same time that ordinarily would be done one after the other, usually an increase in risk
RACI chart
A popular form of RAM represents rules of key stakeholders in the rules defined as: responsible (R), accountable (A), consult (C), and inform (I) for project activities and in matrix form
Estimate activity resources
A process of assessing all types of resources: people, materials, tools, and equipment (along with quantities). Required for each activity to complete it as specified in project scope
Resource leveling
A project execution technique of adjusting the use of resources based on resource availability in the amount of float on activities to accomplish work as soon as possible, given the limited resource availability
Staffing management plan
A proposal focused on acquiring, developing, and retaining human resources for as long as you need them on the project
Reverse phase schedule
Also known as last planner system, starts with the final project deliverables and continually asking what needs to be completed prior to starting work on this deliverable
Critical chain method
An alternate scheduling technique that modifies project schedule by taking resource constraints into account
What is one purpose of the Resource Calendar?
Assign non-working time to a resource
The components (principles) of Critical Chain Project Management include what?
Avoid multi-tasking.
On some projects, if members from a supplier company and/or representatives from the customer have a desk in the project workspace, this is referred to as ___________.
Co-location
When using _____________ to reduce a project schedule, certain activities are performed at a faster-than-normal pace, and extra charges for overtime pay, expedited deliveries, or more expensive machinery could be incurred.
Crashing
The _____________ method is an alternative scheduling technique that modifies the project schedule by taking resource constraints into account.
Critical Chain
Projects typically require inputs from multiple disciplines and, therefore, require _________ teams.
Cross-functional
(T/F) Crashing is a project schedule compression technique that expedites a project by executing activities at the same time that ordinarily would be done one after the other.
F
(T/F) Estimate Activity Resources focuses exclusively upon the identification of the number of human resources required to perform each scheduled activity.
F
(T/F) When determining resource availability, project managers need only consider full-time, internal resources.
F
_________ is a method to expedite a project by executing activities at the same time that ordinarily would be done one after the other.
Fast tracking
When estimating resource needs, it is wise to include time to communicate between activities as well as time to perform activities - those _____ that occur when one person or group passes work on to another group.
Handoffs
Once it is clear who is responsible for each activity, the demands for each resource at each time period can be added and shown in a resource _________.
Histogram
After a resource name has been entered into the Resource Name cell of the Resource Sheet, you can click on the __________ cell to enter the resource's highest possible availability.
Max Units
Project managers must often face the challenge of compressing the project schedule. What actions can be taken to reduce the duration of the critical path?
Overlap sequential activities using finish-to-finish, start-to-start, or start-to-finish relationships. Partially overlap sequential activities by using time leads. Reduce the project scope and /or quality.
What are resources in MS Project?
People Supplies Facilities
The "process of identifying and documenting project roles, responsibilities, required skills, reporting relationships, and creating a staffing management plan" is called:
Plan Resource Management
Rolling waves planning
Planned the first part of the project and as much detail as needed and to plan later phases only at a high-level
On the Gantt Chart, what is a visual cue that you have overallocations in your project?
Red "stick man" icons in the indicators column
Resource calendars are used to block out vacation days and other _______-specific nonworking days.
Resource
A _____________ is defined as grouping all resources into main categories in level one and populating each main category with resources based on either function or skill level.
Resource Breakdown Structure (RBS)
Once it is obvious that a particular person is overloaded, it is helpful to pinpoint exactly which activities are involved by comparing the __________ to the Gantt Chart schedule for the same time scale.
Resource Histogram
____________ is a project execution technique of adjusting the use of resources based on resource availability and the amount of float on activities to accomplish work as soon as possible, given the limited resource availability.
Resource Leveling
How are resource assignments visually shown in the Gantt Chart?
Resource names appear next to the duration graph
A ________ is a matrix that shows all the work packages and the resources assigned for various responsibilities regarding each work package.
Responsibility Assignment Matrix (RAM)
The idea behind __________ is to plan the first part of the project in as much detail as needed and to plan later phases only at a high level.
Rolling Wave Planning
Crashing
Speeding up the critical path, often by adding additional resources or employing existing resources for longer hours and/or more days per week, usually at an additional cost
A ________ is a proposal focused on acquiring, developing and retaining human resources for as long as you need them on the project.
Staffing Management Plan
(T/F) Agile project schedules are limited to the amount of work the assigned resources can handle.
T
(T/F) An example of fast tracking a project schedule would be to overlap the design and production phases for a design-to-production project, where the conventional approach would be to move on to construction only after completing the design phase.
T
(T/F) Critical Chain Project Management (CCPM) attempts to keep the most highly demanded resource busy on critical chain activities, but not overloaded.
T
(T/F) Critical chain project management is an alternate scheduling technique that modifies the project schedule by taking resource constraints into account.
T
(T/F) When constructing a responsibility matrix or "RACI" chart, it is important to ensure that only one person has primary accountability for any activity.
T
(T/F) When recruiting resources to support a project, it is helpful to bring core team members and key subject matter experts on board as early as possible, to help plan the project and develop the project culture.
T
(T/F) When resource overloads are extreme, project managers may need to consider the acquisition of additional resources, reductions in scope or extensions to the project schedule.
T
What is one way to see overallocated resources on a complex project?
The Resource Graph
Where can you see the work hours assigned to resources?
The Resource Usage sheet
What does the "Max Units" denote on the Resource Sheet?
The availability of the resource for project work
Plan resource Management
The process of identifying resources and required skills for the project, defining in assigning roles and responsibilities to all the resources, developing a reporting hierarchy, and communicating expectations
Consider the software programmer loading chart presented in Figure 8-2. What statement most accurately describes the loading of the software programmer?
The programmer is overloaded on both Wednesday and Thursday.
How are resources assigned to a task?
They are chosen from the Task Form dropdown
What is the "brute force" method of dealing with overallocations?
Using the Level All button
What is a quick way to find out which tasks have no resource assignments?
View the Resource Usage sheet
The ________ facilitates the process of integrating project plans for time, resources, and scope.
Work Breakdown Structure (WBS)
A common tool project teams use is a responsibility assignment matrix (RAM). Typically, this chart will depict:
all the work packages and the resources assigned for various responsibilities regarding each work package.
Project managers need two types of abilities to resource a project effectively and efficiently: Technical and _________ abilities.
behavioral
What are some issues to be considered when selecting team members?
co-located teams virtual teams cross functional teams
Crashing the following activity chains would save time and cost extra money as follows: AGJQ—2 days $300 CDIL—3 days $400 What sequence of activities would you, as a project manager, choose to crash?
depends on which, if either, is on the critical path
A "schedule compression technique in which activities or phases normally done in sequence are performed in parallel for at least a portion of their duration" is referred to as ______.
fast tracking
Of all the resources, managing ________ is the most challenging aspect of a project.
people
After creating a Staffing Management Plan, the project manager and team might create a chart that provides a visual representation of project resource needs by type of resource and time period (weeks, months etc.) This chart is called a(n) ____________.
resource histogram
When the demand for resources is greater than the available supply, the project manager can use a scheduling method that adjusts the start and finish dates of activities in order to address resource limits or constraints. This technique is called ___________.
resource leveling
An iterative planning technique where "the work to be accomplished in the near term is planned in detail, while the work in the future is planned at a higher level", is referred to as _______.
rolling wave planning
Recognition and rewards _____________.
should be included in the project's Staffing Management Plan
A ______ addresses when and how project team members will be acquired and how long they will be needed.
staffing management plan
The process "Estimate Activity Resources" involves identification of the ___ and ___ of resources required for each activity within a work package.
types; quantities
