4 - Planning the Project Flashcards
What is the primary responsibility of a project manager after project approval?
To write the project management plan and ensure understanding among team members and stakeholders.
What does the project management plan consist of?
Several important documents including the preliminary scope statement and project charter.
What are the three components to complete scope planning?
- Scope management plan
- Scope statement
- Work breakdown structure (WBS)
What does the scope management plan document?
How the project scope will be defined, verified, monitored, and controlled throughout the project.
What is the purpose of the scope statement?
To provide a common understanding of the project by documenting objectives and deliverables.
What is the work breakdown structure (WBS)?
It breaks project deliverables down into smaller components for estimating task durations, assigning resources, and estimating costs.
What is the definition of scope creep?
Changing project or product scope without considering impacts on schedule, budget, and resources.
What is included in the scope management plan regarding change requests?
A description of the process for controlling scope change requests and how to obtain a change request form.
True or False: The scope statement only includes project deliverables.
False.
What should project objectives be?
Measurable, verifiable, and often time-bound.
What are key performance indicators (KPIs)?
Metrics that help determine if the project is on track and if deliverables meet expectations.
Fill in the blank: Exclusions from scope are anything that ________ as a deliverable or work of the project.
[isn’t included]
What is the significance of documenting assumptions in project planning?
To prevent misunderstandings among team members and stakeholders regarding project conditions.
What are common constraints found on most projects?
- Budget
- Scope
- Deliverables
- Quality
- Environment
- Resources
- Requirements
- Scheduling
What does the term ‘deliverables’ refer to in project management?
Measurable outcomes, results, or specific items that must be produced to consider the project completed.
What are critical success factors in project management?
Elements that must be completed accurately and on schedule for the project to be considered complete.
Why is it important to document exclusions from scope?
To avoid misunderstandings about features or deliverables once the product is complete.
What is the impact of constraints on project scope?
Constraints restrict or dictate the actions of the project team, affecting time, budget, and quality.
What does a well-documented project management plan serve as during the Executing phase?
A tool to track and measure project performance and inform future project decisions.
What is the purpose of the project scope description?
To explain the key characteristics of the product or service being created.
What is the order-of-magnitude estimate in project planning?
A wide-ranging estimate based on actual duration and cost of similar projects or expert judgment.
What are deliverables in project management?
Measurable outcomes, results, or specific items that must be produced to consider the project completed.
How is quality defined in project management?
Quality concerns measuring or quantifying performance, deliverables, functionality, specifications, etc.
What role does the environment play as a constraint in projects?
Environmental factors such as weather, air quality, or emissions regulations can restrict or dictate the actions of the team.
List types of resources that can be constraints in a project.
- Human resources
- Materials
- Equipment
- Funding
What do requirements describe in project management?
Characteristics of the deliverables that must be met to satisfy the needs of the project.
What is the significance of scheduling in project management?
The project schedule is a constraint that affects project completion and resource availability.
True or False: All projects have constraints.
True
What are common influences that can change project constraints?
- Change request
- Scope creep
- Constraint reprioritization
- Interaction between constraints
- Stakeholder/sponsors/management
- Other projects
What is scope creep?
Uncontrolled changes or continuous growth in a project’s scope.
What is a change request?
A formal proposal to modify any document, deliverable, or baseline.
What is the primary focus when documenting business requirements?
The ‘what’ of the project rather than the ‘how.’
Define functional requirements.
Product characteristics needed for the product to perform, typically behavioral or performance-oriented.
What are nonfunctional requirements?
Characteristics of functional requirements that are not performance- or behavioral-based.
What is the purpose of a requirements document?
To quantify and prioritize the wants, needs, and expectations of the project sponsor and stakeholders.
What is a requirements traceability matrix?
A document that tracks the origin of requirements and links them to testing strategies and project delivery.
Fill in the blank: The most common constraints on any project are scope, ______, and time.
[budget]
What is a sample acceptance criterion for a fundraising golf tournament?
Golf tournament raises $20,000 and participants enjoy the tournament.
What should be included in a requirements document?
- Business need for the project
- Project objectives
- Project deliverables
- Requirements
What is the importance of stakeholder approval in the scope statement?
Assures buy-in regarding the scope of the project before any work is undertaken.
What is the purpose of a requirements traceability matrix?
To document where the requirement originated, link it to a testing strategy, and follow it through to delivery or completion
It helps ensure the project meets expectations by linking each requirement to a project objective.
What are the key attributes of a requirements traceability matrix?
- Unique ID
- Description of requirement
- Source
- Priority
- Test scenario
- Owner
- Status and date
These attributes help in tracking and managing requirements throughout the project lifecycle.
What does the ‘priority’ column in a requirements traceability matrix indicate?
The importance of the requirement, which can be categorized using a numbering or alpha system
For example, an ‘A’ might indicate essential requirements, while a ‘B’ indicates highly desirable ones.
What is the first phase of a project life cycle?
Beginning the project
This phase involves initiating the project idea and securing support.
List the typical phases of a project life cycle.
- Beginning the project
- Planning and organizing the work
- Performing the work
- Closing out the project
These phases may vary in terminology depending on the industry.
What is a feasibility study in the context of project management?
A preliminary assessment to determine whether a project is worth undertaking and its potential profitability
It may also assess safety and compliance with standards.
What does PRINCE2 stand for?
PRojects IN Controlled Environments
It is a project management methodology that breaks projects into small, manageable stages.
What is the main advantage of the DevOps framework?
It integrates development and operations teams to improve collaboration and speed up project delivery
This helps eliminate communication issues and enhances project reliability.
What does the software development life cycle (SDLC) assist with?
Delivering high-quality software through defined phases
It includes phases such as planning, designing, building, testing, and deploying.
Define the Waterfall methodology.
A predictive methodology where each project stage is completed sequentially
It is difficult to change requirements once a stage is completed.
When is the Waterfall methodology most suitable?
When requirements are well understood and the project is low risk
It is ideal for stable project teams.
What characterizes Agile methodologies?
Managing projects in small, incremental portions of work with evolving requirements
It encourages frequent feedback and adaptability.
What is a key principle of the Agile Manifesto?
Focus on delivering value to the customer
Success is measured by perceived customer value rather than efficiency.
What is Scrum in project management?
A form of agile project management emphasizing self-organized teams and iterative work phases called sprints
Sprints typically last for two weeks and aim to produce a deliverable.
Define Kanban.
A lean scheduling agile methodology that balances work against available resources
Originally developed by Toyota, it is used in both manufacturing and IT.
What is Kanban?
A lean scheduling agile methodology developed by the Toyota Motor Corporation for project management.
What does Kanban mean?
Billboard or sign.
What is the primary focus of Kanban?
Balancing work against available resources or capacity.
How does work progress in Kanban?
Work progresses to the next step only when resources are available.
What is a Kanban board?
A visual representation of the project that can be physical or digital.
What are the interchangeable terms used in Kanban for tasks?
- User stories
- Tasks
- Cards
What is the key difference between Kanban and Scrum?
Kanban is continuous, while Scrum uses fixed sprints.
What is Scrumban?
A hybrid methodology combining Scrum and Kanban.
What is the main goal of Lean methodology?
Making work processes efficient and ensuring quality output.
What does Kaizen mean?
Continuous improvement.
What are the seven wastes in Lean methodology?
- Motion
- Waiting
- Transportation
- Storage
- Defects
- Processing
- Overproduction
What is Extreme Programming (XP)?
An agile methodology focused on delivering software quickly in response to changing requirements.
What are the core values of XP?
- Communication
- Simplicity
- Feedback
- Courage
- Respect
What is pair programming in XP?
A practice where two developers work together at the same computer.
What is test-driven development?
An approach where tests are written before the code and run to ensure functionality.
What is Feature-Driven Development (FDD)?
A methodology focusing on delivering working software through a five-step approach.
List the five steps of FDD.
- Developing a model
- Creating a features list
- Planning based on features
- Designing based on features
- Building based on features
What is the focus of the Dynamic Systems Development Method (DSDM)?
The entire project life cycle with a constraint-driven approach.
What are the eight guiding principles of DSDM?
- Focus on the business need
- Ensure on-time delivery
- Collaborate with team members and stakeholders
- Never compromise on quality
- Build incrementally
- Use iterative development techniques
- Use continual communications that are clear and concise
- Demonstrate control
What is the Agile Unified Process (AUP)?
An iterative approach that incorporates several agile processes to improve productivity.
What defines a hybrid methodology?
A combination of one or more methodologies to create what works best for the team.
When should a hybrid approach be considered?
When there is uncertainty or complexity in project requirements.
What is a hybrid development life cycle?
A combination of predictive and agile approaches used in project management.
What is the benefit of using an agile approach in project management?
It allows for the production of prototypes and continual evolution of requirements.
What does the term ‘Wagile’ refer to?
The combination of waterfall and agile methodologies.
What is ‘Scrumban’?
A combination of Scrum and Kanban methodologies.
What are user stories in agile projects?
User stories document the functionality or requirement of the application from the perspective of the user.
What is the role of the product owner in an agile team?
The product owner is responsible for maintaining and prioritizing the product backlog.
What is the minimum viable product (MVP) in Scrum methodology?
A product with enough features to allow customer feedback and validate business value.
Fill in the blank: Agile projects define scope and requirements as the work _______.
[progresses]
What is a product backlog?
A list of all user stories needed to complete the project.
Why is stakeholder involvement crucial in agile projects?
It keeps stakeholders engaged and ensures their feedback is incorporated throughout the project.
What is the ideal number of members in an agile development team?
Seven members.
How does a predictive approach handle risks?
Risks are identified at the beginning and monitored throughout the project.
True or False: Agile methodologies are best suited for projects with well-defined requirements.
False
What factors should be considered when selecting a project methodology?
- Tolerance for Change/Flexibility
- Requirements
- Budget
- Schedules
- Environmental Factors
- Culture
- Developmental Standards
- Industry Standards
What does iterative refinement mean in a hybrid methodology?
High-level planning with continual adjustments based on feedback and project evolution.
What are acceptance criteria in user stories?
Conditions that must be met for the deliverable to be considered complete.
What does continuous integration involve in XP principles?
Regularly integrating code changes into a shared repository to detect issues early.
What is the ideal number of members for an agile team?
Seven members
Agile teams typically have five to nine members, with seven being ideal.
What is one of the greatest benefits of agile teams?
Active stakeholder involvement
Agile methodology encourages communication and engagement among team members and stakeholders.
What is Scrum?
A well-known agile process used on software development projects
Scrum emphasizes self-management and adaptability among team members.
What does the term ‘sprints’ refer to in Scrum?
Iterations
Sprints are time-boxed periods during which specific work must be completed.
Who coordinates the work of the sprint in a Scrum team?
Scrum Master
The Scrum Master also helps educate others in the agile process.
What is the role of the Product Owner in a Scrum team?
Represents stakeholders and acts as the liaison between stakeholders and the Scrum Master
The Product Owner is the voice of the customer.
What are stakeholders in the context of a project?
People with a vested interest in the project or its outcomes
They interface with the Product Owner for updates on progress.
What is the primary responsibility of team members in a Scrum team?
Completing backlog items
Team members choose tasks based on priority and their skill sets.
What is a solutions architect responsible for?
Determining how to configure a solution to meet business needs
They work with enterprise architects and development teams to ensure proper design.
What is the main goal of a solutions architect?
Find the technical solution that best solves the business problem
They also implement the solution and work closely with business users.
What elements should be included in a scope statement?
Project objectives, acceptance criteria, major deliverables, exclusions, time and cost estimates, assumptions, constraints
Each element defines aspects critical to project management.
What is the purpose of acceptance criteria in a project?
To define the requirements for project completion
Acceptance criteria ensure that deliverables meet stakeholder expectations.
What is a requirement in project management?
A condition or capability needed to satisfy project objectives
Requirements can be documented in the scope statement or standalone documents.
What is a requirements traceability matrix?
A document linking each requirement to a project objective
It helps ensure the project meets expectations.
What are the phases of a typical project life cycle?
Beginning, Planning phase, Performing phase, Closing phase
These phases outline the project from start to finish.
What is PRINCE2?
A project management methodology applicable to any size project
It manages projects in stages to maintain control.
What does DevOps facilitate?
Collaboration between development and operations teams
This leads to improved communications and faster delivery.
What is the SDLC?
Software Development Life Cycle
It includes methodologies like waterfall and agile.
What is the difference between waterfall and agile methodologies?
Waterfall is a linear approach; Agile is iterative and incremental
Agile focuses on adaptability and quick delivery in small portions.
What is a minimally viable product (MVP)?
A prototype with enough features to determine if the product meets objectives
An MVP is used to validate concepts before full development.
What are the roles in a Scrum team?
Scrum Master, Product Owner, Stakeholders, Team Members
Each role has distinct responsibilities contributing to the team’s success.
What is the role of a solutions architect in relation to the project manager?
Act as a liaison between business, project manager, and development team
They ensure requirements are accurately translated and produced timely.
What is an assumption in project management?
A condition believed to be true for the project planning
Assumptions affect project scope, timelines, and resources.
What approach will the project team use for managing the office move?
Hybrid approach
The move will be managed using waterfall for initial phases and agile for IT migration.
What is excluded from the scope of the office move project?
Moving the satellite office located 90 miles south
The project focuses only on relocating the main office.
