Glossary

Question 1

An effective tool for root cause analysis in which the question “Why?” is asked of a
problem in succession until the root cause is found. Developed by Sakichi Toyoda.

Answer 1

5 Whys Method

Question 2

A general guideline with many applications; in terms of controlling processes, it
contends that a relatively large number of problems or defects, typically 80%, are
commonly due to a relatively small number of causes, typically 20%.

Answer 2

80/20 Rule

Question 3

A marketing approach used to determine user preferences by showing different sets of
users’ similar services—an ‘Alpha’ and a ‘Beta’ version—with one independent variable.

Answer 3

A/B Testing

Question 4

A strategy for managing negative risks or opportunities that involves acknowledging risk
and not taking any action until the risk occurs.

Answer 4

Accept

Question 5

A set of conditions that is required to be met before deliverables are accepted.

Answer 5

Acceptance Criteria

Question 6

Deliverables that meet the acceptance criteria and have been formally signed off and
approved by the customer or sponsor as part of the scope validation process.

Answer 6

Accepted Deliverables

Question 7

A distinct portion of work, scheduled with a beginning and an end, that must be
performed to complete work on the project. Also known as a schedule activity.

Answer 7

Activity

Question 8

Multiple attributes associated with each activity that can be included within the activity
list.

Answer 8

Activity Attributes

Question 9

Each task is assigned a budget, and the aggregate of these estimates results in the
project budget. Activity cost estimates include labor, materials, equipment, and fixed
cost items like contractors, services, facilities, financing costs, etc. This information can
be presented in a detailed or summarized form.

Answer 9

Activity Cost Estimates

Question 10

A logical relationship that exists between two project activities. The relationship
indicates whether the start of an activity is contingent upon an event or input from
outside the activity.

Answer 10

Activity Dependency

Question 11

The quantitative assessments of the likely number of time periods that are required to
complete an activity.

Answer 11

Activity Duration Estimates

Question 12

A documented tabulation of schedule activities that shows the activity description,
activity identifier, and a sufficiently detailed scope-of-work description so project team
members understand what work is to be performed.

Answer 12

Activity List

Question 13

A graphical diagram on which schedule activities are represented by nodes (rectangle
boxes) and their dependencies are depicted by arrows.

Answer 13

Activity on Arrow or Activity on Node

Question 14

Material and human resources that are needed to complete an activity; often expressed
by a probability or range.

Answer 14

Activity Resource Estimates

Question 15

The resources (physical, human, and organizational) required to complete the activities
in the activity list.

Answer 15

Activity Resource Requirements

Question 16

Earned Value Management term for the realized cost incurred for the work performed
on an activity during a specific time.

Answer 16

Actual Cost (AC)

Question 17

A type of project life cycle or methodology that values responding to change over
following a set plan. Adaptive methodologies seek solutions that deliver maximum value
to the customer.

Answer 17

Adaptive

Question 18

Involves verifying and documenting project results to formalize project or phase
completion.

Answer 18

Administrative Closure

Question 19

A technique that allows large numbers of ideas to be classified into groups for review
and analysis.

Answer 19

Affinity Diagram

Question 20

Technique designed to rapidly estimate large stories (epics or features) in the backlog.
For example: T-Shirt sizing, coffee cup sizes, or Fibonacci sequence.

Answer 20

Affinity Technique

Question 21

A term used to describe a mindset of values and principles as set forth in the Agile
Manifesto.

Answer 21

Agile

Question 22

A process role on a project team that helps organizations achieve true agility by
coaching teams across the enterprise on how to apply agile practices and choose their
best way of working.

Answer 22

Agile Coach

Question 23

An approach that assists with planning a project appropriately from the beginning to
ensure the team can focus on the quality of each deliverable.

Answer 23

Agile Estimating

Question 24

An approach that is both iterative and incremental to refine work items and deliver
frequently.

Answer 24

Agile Life Cycle

Question 25

Individuals
and interactions over processes and tools; working software over comprehensive
documentation; customer collaboration over contract negotiation; and responding to change over following a plan

Answer 25

Agile Manifesto

Question 26

A representation of the workflow of a process or system that the team can review before
it is implemented in code.

Answer 26

Agile Modeling

Question 27

A process in which a team determines the number of iterations or Sprints that are
needed to complete each release, the features that each iteration will contain, and the
target dates of each release.

Answer 27

Agile Release Planning

Question 28

Team space that encourages colocation, collaboration, communication, transparency, and visibility

Answer 28

Agile Space

Question 29

Any documents or communication that defines the initial intentions of a project.
Examples include contracts, memorandums of understanding (MOUs), service-level
agreements (SLAs), letters of agreement, letters of intent, verbal agreements, email, or
other written agreements.

Answer 29

Agreements

Question 30

Costs that are allowed under the terms of the contract. Typically, allowable costs
become relevant under certain types of cost-reimbursable contracts in which the buyer
reimburses the seller’s allowable costs.

Answer 30

Allowable Costs

Question 31

A technique for estimating the duration or cost of an activity on a project using historical
data from a similar activity or project. Also known as “Top-Down Estimating”.

Answer 31

Analogous Estimating

Question 32

Logical approach that looks at the relationship between outcomes and the factors that
can influence them.

Answer 32

Analytical Techniques