3.4 Project Evaluation Technique (Doshi) Flashcards
Critical Path Methodology (CPM)
A technique for estimating project duration. All projects have at least one critical path
What is a critical path for a project
A sequence of activities where duration is longest as compared other path
What does CPM represents
The shortest possible time required for completing the project. Activities on Critical Path have zero slack time.
What is slack time?
The amount of time an activity can be delayed without
impacting the completion date of the project
Program Evaluation Review Technique (PERT)
PERT is a CPM type technique. PERT is a technique for estimating project duration.
PERT provides a visual representation of project tasks, timelines, and dependencies.
Advantage of PERT over CPM
In CPM only single duration is considered
PERT considered three senarios (best, worst, and normal), then one is chosen
PERT is more reliable than CPM for estimating project duration
Grantt chart
A Gantt chart is a visual representation of a project where individual tasks occupy rows on a worksheet and horizontal time bars depict the time required to complete each task relative to other tasks in the project.
Grantt chart is used for :
(1) to determine whether the project is behind, ahead or on schedule compared to baseline project plan
(2) to track the achievement of milestone
(3) show schedule dependencies and
(4) percent completion of each task.
Function Point Analysis (FPA)
A time -proven estimation technique for larger software projects.
Reliability
FPA is more reliable than SLOC
Counting source lines of code (SLOC)
· SLOC is a direct method of software size estimation.
· FPA is more reliable as compared to SLOC specially for complex projects.
Earned Value Analysis
EVA compares following metrics at regular interval:
(1) Budget to date
(2) Actual spending to date
(3) Estimate to complete
(4) Estimate at completion
Time box Management
A timebox is a period in which a project (or a set of tasks within a project) must be completed.
Time box Management advantage can:
(1) it prevents project cost overruns and delays from
scheduled delivery.
(2) It is used for prototyping or rapid application development where project need to be completed within timeframe.
(3) It integrates system and user acceptance testing, but does not eliminate the need for a
quality process
To estimate project duration, use:
First Preference is PERT, then CPM
To monitor progress of the project, use:
Gantt chart
To monitor Budget to date, estimate to complete , estimate at completion, actual spending to date, use:
Earned Value Analysis EVA
To estimate size of software development efforts, use:
Function Point Analysis
To prevent cost over runs & delivery delays, use:
TimeBox Management
In any given scenario, when objective is to estimate project duration or timeless
, answer should be PERT or CPM. However first preference to be given to PERT.
In any given scenario, when objective is to monitor the project or track any milestone, answer should be
Gantt Chart.
In any given scenario, when objective is to consider earned value by calculating any of the following, answer should be
Earned Value Analysis (EVA).
Earned Value Analysis (EVA) is
(1) Budget to date
(2) Actual spending to date
(3) Estimate to complete
(4) Estimate at completion
In any given scenario, when objective is to estimate software size, answer should be
FPA or SLOC. However first preference to be given to FPA.
In any given scenario, when objective is to prevents project cost overruns and delays from scheduled delivery, answer should be
Timebox Management.
