Chapter 6 Flashcards
What is the purpose of a Gantt chart?
A Gantt chart is used for planning out the schedule of a project by showing the time each task involved in a phase will need, and staggering them in sequence.
What are some advantages network diagrams have over traditional Gantt charts?
A network diagram, unlike the Gantt chart, show information on the interdependencies of tasks in a phase, as well as required start and end dates, as well as highlighting the critical path.
What is meant by slack, or float?
Slack, or float, is the amount of time an activity can be delayed before it impacts the projected end-time of the project.
What is the difference between crashing and fast tracking a project’s schedule?
Crashing is when resources are added to a critical path activity in order to shorten its duration. Fast-tracking is when two parallel activities are started at the same time.
What is the difference between AON and PERT?
AON, or Activity on the Node, is a network diagramming method that uses sequence dependencies to determine the overall schedule of a project. PERT, or Program Evaluation and Review Technique performs a similar task, but it determines an estimate of the amount of time a task will take based on the following equation:
Activity Estimate = (Optimistic Time + (4 * Most Likely Time) + Pessimistic Time) / 6
Define the following:
- Finish-to-Start
- Start-to-Start
- Finish-to-Finish
- Start-to-Finish
- Finish-to-Start: Finish to start means one activity can’t start until the other is finished.
- Start-to-Start: Start-to-Start means that two activities can either start at the same time, or one can’t start until the other has.
- Finish-to-Finish: Finish-to-Finish means that two processes can run side-by-side, but one cannot finish without the other.
- Start-to-Finish: Least common, a task cannot end until another starts.
What is the difference between lead and lag?
Lead time allows for activities to overlap, such as installing computers can be overlapped by configuring them; if installing computers takes twice as long as configuring, then configuring can start when installing is half-done, and they’ll finish at the same time.
Lag is the other way around, time after a task has completed where work can’t be done, like allowing the paint to dry.
Why do many people inflate their estimates? Does this help anything?
People inflate their estimates because they feel safer with a bit of leeway, or padding. This usually doesn’t help, as people then procrastinate to fill that padding.
What is critical chain project management?
Critical chain project management is a method of removing people’s natural tendency to inflate schedules by adding buffers to time estimates, and putting expected time estimates in place that are about 50% likely to be met.
What is resource contention?
Resource contention occurs where a team member is assigned to more than one project, and therefor is torn in their ability to devote the necessary amount of time between them.
What is the purpose of buffers?
The purpose of buffers is to allow for projects to finish on-time, without the general padding that occurs to schedules.
What is the critical chain, and how is it different from the critical path?
The critical chain takes into account resource contention, unlike the critical path.
Why should a project manager ensure that project resources are leveled?
When resources aren’t leveled, then they’re in-contention, assigned to multiple tasks at once.
When does the project manager have authority to begin executing the project plan?
A project manager can begin executing the project plan once the project plan and charter are approved.
What is a task? How is it different from a process?
A task, also known as an activity, is an action that must be taken to complete a deliverable within a phase. A task uses resources, takes time, and has a place in the overall sequence.
