4. Project Evaluation Technique 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 :
**to determine whether the project is behind, ahead or on schedule compared to baseline project plan
**to track the achievement of milestone
**A Gantt chart can also show schedule dependencies and 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: -Budget to date -Actual spending to date Estimate to complete -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
it prevents project cost overruns and delays from
scheduled delivery.
It is used for prototyping or rapid application development where project need to be
completed within timeframe.
It integrates system and user acceptance testing, but does not eliminate the need for a
quality process
To estimate project duration
First Preference is PERT, then CPM