LO1-Planning Tools Flashcards
What is a Gantt Chart?
A visual method of showing the timing of each task needed to complete a project
What is a PERT Chart?
It stands for Project, Evaluation and review technique. It looks like a railway map
What is a Critical Path?
A way to design a schedule for a set of project activities
What is a Task List?
A way to organise when your tasks will be achieved
What is a Mind Map?
A diagram used to visually organise information
What is a Flowchart?
A diagram showing the sequence of movements
Advantages of the Gantt Chart
Can show an estimated time schedule
Comments can be added
Disadvantages of Gantt Chart
Too simple for complex project
Task time is estimated so the plan may be unrealistic
Advantages of PERT Chart/Critical Path
Can show slack time so resources can be reallocated
Disadvantage of PERT Chart/Critical Path
Can become confusing
Needs skill and knowledge to create
Advantages of Visualisation Diagram
Information and data can be understood quickly
Emerging trends and patterns can be spotted quickly
Disadvantages of Visualisation Diagram
Not appropriate for large and complex projects
Advantages of Mind Maps
Easy to add ideas and tasks at any time
Disadvantages of Mind Maps
No time schedule
Can be difficult for other to understand
Advantages of Task List
Can help focus on the tasks to be completed
No tasks will be missed out
Disadvantages of Task List
Should not be used for large and complex projects
Advantages of Flowcharts
Can be useful for a simple project
Do not need specialist project planning
Disadvantages of Flowcharts
Do not show time scales
What is a Visualisation Diagrams?
A technique for creating images and diagrams
Concurrent definition
Tasks that can be completed at the same time
Dependency definition
A task which cannot be started until a pervious specific task has been completed
Static Product definition
A product that doesn’t move
Examples of a static product
CD/DVD/Blu-ray cover
Poster or magazine cover front cover
Duration definition
How much time a task should take to be completed
What are the informal planning tools?
Flowchart, Mind map and task list
What are the formal planning tools?
Gantt Chart, PERT Chart/Critical Path and Visualisation Diagram
What software can be used to create planning documentation?
Project Management Software
Spreadsheets
Word processers
DTP (desktop publishing)
What is project management software useful for?
It can be used to create Gantt and PERT charts. The tools required, for example to link tasks and define milestones are built into this software
What can a spreadsheet be used for in planning?
A template can be used for a simple Gantt chart
What can a word processer be used for in planning?
To create many plans like a task list or mind map
What can a Desktop publishing be used for in planning?
Can be used to create a visualisation diagram and a mind map
Group/grouping definition
Several components that can be moved as one. Feature usually found in word processing software
