Lecture 9 - Software Project WBS Flashcards
What is a Work Breakdown Structure (WBS)?
Hierarchical description of all the work that must be done to meet the needs of the client
What can a WBS be represented as? (2)
- Tree structure
- Indented list
TF: A WBS is based on the tasks needed to create project deliverables
False. Based on Project deliverables
TF: WBS is built from the top down
True
In WBS, hierarchy partitions development activities into separate parts so that…
requirements and work activities can be assigned to different groups and different individuals
When is a WBS developed?
Early in the project, once requirements and scope have been defined
What does WBS become for the project?
Becomes a hub of information for the project
The WBS is the primary tool for…
verifying and controlling the project’s scope
What ties back to the WBS? (5)
- Risk
- Activities
- Costs
- Quality attributes
- Procurement decisions
What are the 2 Fundamental WBS Structures?
- Deliverables-based structure
- Process / phase-based structure
What does the Deliverables-based structure in WBS define?
Breaks down project into tangible components that are then divided into deliverables and work packages
What structure in WBS defines the project scope of work in terms of process steps that need to be taken to deliver each project deliverable?
Process/phase-based structure
What structure in WBS can also identify different work disciplines that are involved to work on various project deliverables?
Process/phase-based structure
What is the smallest element in a WBS?
Work packages
If you can’t assign a single owner, or you need to have additional visibility into the progress of the task in WBS, what should you do?
Break it down more
Each level of the WBS is… (2)
- Mutually exclusive (distinct and independent from the others)
- Cumulatively exhaustive (ensures no aspect is forgotten)
What are the tools used for defining activities for a WBS? (3)
- Decomposition
- Meetings
- Expert judgment
What is decomposition when defining activities for a WBS?
Practice of breaking down deliverables (product features) into progressively smaller pieces
During the decomposition of deliverables for a WBS, when do we stop breaking down the structure?
When the deliverables are small enough to be considered work packages
What is Expert judgment when defining activities for a WBS?
Using expert judgment from external sources (industry specialists) or internal sources (team, specialist, project manager) to assist in defining project activities
What is Meetings when defining activities for a WBS?
Holding meetings to get the information required to define project’s activities
What are the initial planning activities? (2)
- Develop a Work Breakdown Structure (WBS)
- Develop work packages for the tasks in the WBS
What are the 5 Activities Process?
- Activity list
- Activity attributes
- Milestone list
- PM plan updates
- Change requests
What is the Activity List?
Table that links an activity to the work package in WBS and briefly describes work required for it
What does an activity list include? (4)
- Activity ID
- WBS ID
- Name
- Description
What are Activities Attributes?
Details associated with each activity
What are predecessor activities in Activities Attributes?
Activities that happen directly before an activity
(ex: seeking approval)
What are Successor activities in Activities Attributes?
Activities directly after an activity
(ex: printing the document after it is completed)
What are the four types of logical relationships/dependencies between activities in Activities Attributes?
- Finish to start
- Finish to finish
- Start to finish
- Start to start
What is the most common logical relationship/dependency between activities?
Finish to start
What does the finish to start logical relationship/dependency in Activities Attributes mean?
You start the next activity once its predecessor is complete
Approving the design and then printing the catalog is an example of which logical relationship?
Finish to start
What are Leads in Activities attributes?
Allow succesor activities to be accelerated by enabling them to be started and completed sooner
What are lags in Activity attributes?
Delays that could cause an activity to be started and finished later
An editor only being available five days after the catalog design is complete is an example of…
lags
An editor starting to review a design as soon as the design is complete is an example of…
leads
What are imposed dates in Activities attributes?
Dates that the project manager can’t control
Imposed dates are based on what? (3)
- Availability of a resource
- Supply of material to site
- Lags/leads on activity
A catalog must be written and printed before the start of the store’s opening sale on May 2nd is an example of…
imposed dates
What are Resource requirements regarding Activities attributes?
- Human resources
- Materials
- Tools
- Warehouse space
- Facilities
- Location (where work carried out such as lab, construction site)
What are the two ways to describe level of effort?
- Discrete
- Apportioned
What is discrete effort when referring to level of effort?
When activity can be performed by one person or a defined project team in fixed amount of time
“A technician will take one hour to assemble the device” is an example of what type of level of effort?
Discrete effort
“A team will take two weeks to program the software module” is an example of what type of level of effort?
Discrete effort
What is apportioned effort when referring to level of effort?
When the work can’t easily be divided into separate measurable parts
“Performing quality assurance on the product throughout the development phase” is an example of what type of level of effort?
Apportioned effort
What are constraints when referring to activity attributes?
Factors that limit how the project team performs the work
A project having limited funding, causing them to not be able to afford the latest technologies, limiting the project’s output and changing the level of effort for the project is an example of…
a constraint
What are assumptions when referring to activity attributes?
Facts that the project manager regards as true and on which the project depends
Hiring a programmer for your project and assuming he/she has the competence to do the job is an example of…
an assumption
If an outcome is essential, this is established as a…
mandatory milestone
If an outcome is preferred, this is established as an…
optional milestone
What is another name for milestones?
Zero-duration events
Why do milestones not have a duration?
Because they are critical points in the project schedule, not activities in themselves
When do milestones typically occur?
After a final activity in a phase of a project
TF: Milestones can also be points where decisions are made about the future direction of the project
True
TF: In project management, milestones are not used to trigger events
False. They are used to trigger events
slide 37, 38 examples of milestones
If during the creation of scope baseline and WBS, and say a missing requirement was discovered after requirements were already validated, what should the Project Manager do?
Should update the requirements documentation
What should be done if after the define activities process leads to the need for additional work requirements to be added?
Generate a change request
Adding activities to a project after the project baseline has already been defined causes updates to what?
- Schedule baseline
- Cost baseline
What are the benefits of WBS? (5)
- Optimized project scheduling
- Effective project execution
- Management of project vision
- Improve communication
- Accountability
