Creating a Project Schedule

Question 1

Four types of logical relationships

Answer 1

finish-to-start, start-to-start, start-to-finish, finish-to-finish

Question 2

Work Breakdown Structure (WBS)

Answer 2

A deliverables-oriented hierarchy that defines the work of the project and can be used on projects of any size or complexity.

Takes the major deliverables from the scope statement and decomposes them into smaller, more manageable components.
Includes all the work required to complete the project.

It’s the basis for time and cost estimates, and resource assignments

Question 3

WBS Dictionary

Answer 3

a list of ever deliverable and each of their components contained in the WBS

Question 4

Critical Path Method (CPM)

Answer 4

creates a schedule by determining float time

Question 5

Float time

Answer 5

the difference between the early and late start dates, and the early and late finish dates

Question 6

Duration Compression

Answer 6

a technique used to shorten a project schedule to meet a mandated completion date

Question 7

Crashing

Answer 7

shortens task duration by adding more resources to the project

Question 8

Fast tracking

Answer 8

where two tasks are started in parallel that were previously schedule to start sequentially

Question 9

Milestones

Answer 9

mark major project events

Question 10

Gantt Chart

Answer 10

One of the most common ways to display project schedules; displayed as bar charts that span the entire project timeline. May show milestones, deliverables, and all the tasks of a project, including their durations, start and end dates, and the resources assigned to each task

Question 11

Sequencing

Answer 11

the process of identifying relationships between project activities and sequencing them in proper order

Question 12

Dependencies

Answer 12

relationships between activities

Question 13

Analogous estimating

Answer 13

also called “top-down estimating”, is a technique that uses actual durations from similar tasks on a previous project. It is typically the least accurate means of obtaining an estimate

Question 14

Expert Judgment

Answer 14

an estimating technique where the people most familiar with the work determine the estimate. Most frequently used on Agile projects

Question 15

Parametric Estimating

Answer 15

a quantitative estimating method that multiplies the quantity of work by the rate

Question 16

Bottom-Up Estimating

Answer 16

an estimating technique that obtains individual estimates for each project activity and then adds them all to arrive at a total estimate for the work package. It is a good technique to use when you aren’t sure about the type or quantity of resources you’ll need for the project.

Question 17

Project Management Plan

Answer 17

defines how the project is executed, how you’ll measure performance, and how it’s closed

Question 18

Performance Measurement Baseline

Answer 18

consists of the scope, schedule, and cost baselines

Question 19

Scope Baseline

Answer 19

includes the scope statement, WBS, and WBS dictionary. Is used throughout the remainder of documents and will also be used as a basis to determine the outcomes of change requests

Question 20

Work Package Level

Answer 20

the lowest level of WBS where resources, time, and cost estimates are determined

Question 21

Predecessor task

Answer 21

a task that exists on a path with another task and occurs before the task in question

Question 22

Successor task

Answer 22

a task that exists on a common path with another task and occurs after the task in question

Question 23

Network diagram

Answer 23

used to depict project activities and the interrelationships and dependencies among these activities

Question 24

Resource leveling

Answer 24

Attempts to balance out the resource assignments to get tasks completed without overloading the individual. Can change the critical path and project end date

Question 25

Resource smoothing

Answer 25

Accommodates resource availability by modifying activities within their float times without changing the critical path or project end date.

Question 26

Program Evaluation and Review Technique (PERT)

Answer 26

a chart that was created by the Navy as a way to manage the project and forecast the project schedule with a high degree of reliability. Uses three-point estimates known as the weighted average to calculate estimates for task duration. Weighted average consists of three estimates: optimistic, pessimistic, and most likely. Formula is: optimistic + pessimistic + (4 x most likely) / 6

Question 27

Scope Management Plan

Answer 27

describes how the deliverables will be validated

Question 28

Code of accounts identifier

Answer 28

a unique number assigned to each component of the WBS. It is documented in the WBS dictionary and is tied to the chart of accounts

Question 29

WBS Levels

Answer 29

1. Project name
2. Major project deliverables, project phases, or subprojects

Question 30

Velocity

Answer 30

used to determine how long it will take to complete the work of the iteration by measuring the speed the team progresses.