Basic Project Terms Flashcards
What is a Project?
A temporary endeavor undertaken to create a unique product, service or result.
The temporary nature of a project indicates a beginning and an end to the project work or a phase of the project work.
Projects could be standalone or part of a program or portfolio.
What is a Program?
Related projects managed in a coordinated way. The purpose of a program is to tie a bunch of related projects together.
What is a Portfolio?
Projects and programs managed and (operations) in a coordinated way to achieve the organizations strategic objectives.
What is a Predictive approach?
A traditional approach to project management
Useful when requirements can be confidently gathered up front and aren’t likely to change
Often described as a Waterfall approach
All the requirements are gathered upfront.
Confident that the requirements will not change.
Changes are discouraged. only essential changes are allowed.
What is an Adaptive approach?
General term used for a flexible approach where we’re prepared to learn and adapt as we go along.
A more modern approach to project management
A flexible way of working which is useful when requirements are uncertain and are likely to change
Based on learning and adapting as we go along
We only plan in detail for the near future, and expect to learn from current outcomes to improve what happens next.
Agile is a term more specifically associated with developing software in an adaptive way.
Agile
Agile is an example of an adaptive approach to software development (keywords include “sprint” and increment)
What is Project Scope?
The features and functions that characterize a product, service, or result.
What is a Product Scope?
The features and functions that characterize a product, service or result.
What is a Predictive Approach?
is clearly defined in detail at the beginning of the project
can’t be changed without change control processes (which is where the impact of change is assessed)
is in danger of “scope creep” if new features are added without change control processes
What is an Adaptive Approach?
is only defined in detail at the beginning of each iteration
changes are managed simply by reprioritizing the product backlog
What is a Risk?
An uncertain event or condition that, if it occurs, has a positive or negative effect on one or more project objectives.
What is an Issue?
A current condition or situation that may have an impact on the project objectives.
What is an Assumption?
A factor in the planning process that is considered to be true, real, or certain, without proof or demonstration.
What is a Constraint?
A limiting factor that affects the execution of a project, program, portfolio, or process.
Budget
Resources
Location
Time
