20 Schedule Management Flashcards
A) Know how to define scope in terms of Outputs, Outcomes and Benefits B) Understand there are links between activities within a project and BAU activities C) Understand the reasons for and benefits of Re-estimating and schedule optimisation
What is Schedule Management?
The process used to determine the overall project duration.
What should Schedule Management take into account?
Requirements and availability of resources.
Why is schedule management used?
- Defines when activities are to be completed, their duration and order
- Reduces likelihood of delays
- Coordination of resources
What defines Project scope?
- Outputs
- Outcomes
- Benefits
What is an Output?
Tangible or Intangible product
What is an Outcome?
Changed circumstance or behaviour resulting from use of output
What is a Benefit?
A positive and measurable impact of change
What does a Product Breakdown Structure define?
*identifies scope of project to be delivered
*breaks down output until you reach the individual products that need to be delivered that can’t be broken down any further.
Each product have defined acceptance criteria and quality control methods
What are the three benefits of a Product Breakdown Structure
- Helps to clarify the project’s products and their components
- Makes it easier to spot omissions and unnecessary inclusions
- Used as a basis to identify activities
How does a Work Breakdown Schedule differ from a Product Breakdown Structure?
- WBS - Activities
- PBS - Products
What is the lowest level of detail that can be identified on a WBS?
Work Package
List 2 benefits of a WBS
- Forces team to think through the production process
- Forms basis for activity networks and estimating
- Defines the work content
- Assists in preparation of Statements of Work
How does a Cost Breakdown Structure provide a financial view?
Breaks a Project down into cost elements
How do Links and Dependencies differ?
- Links represent relationships between different activities outlining the order of occurrence
- Dependencies define the reliance of one task on another
List three benefits of Re-estimating
- Increased accuracy through technical expertise
- Increased confidence in delivery against success criteria
- Remove reserves no longer needed
- Increased situational awareness
- Increased confidence in project’s performance
Why are Gantt Charts used?
- Provides a schedule view
- Enables Progress Review
- Enables forward planning
What is Total Float?
Time by which an activity may be delayed without affecting the total project duration
What is the Critical Path?
The sequence of activities through a precedence network from start to finish.
How can a critical path be determined?
Sequence of activities, from project start to finish, with the least total float.
How does the Critical Chain method calculate a buffer?
Halve the sum of all activities estimated duration
What is the benefit of a buffer?
Protects the whole project from unexpected delays
Why is it beneficial to have defined boundaries and interfaces?
Avoids duplication, conflict or omission of work
