LO1-Planning Tools

Question 1

What is a Gantt Chart?

Answer 1

A visual method of showing the timing of each task needed to complete a project

Question 2

What is a PERT Chart?

Answer 2

It stands for Project, Evaluation and review technique. It looks like a railway map

Question 3

What is a Critical Path?

Answer 3

A way to design a schedule for a set of project activities

Question 4

What is a Task List?

Answer 4

A way to organise when your tasks will be achieved

Question 5

What is a Mind Map?

Answer 5

A diagram used to visually organise information

Question 6

What is a Flowchart?

Answer 6

A diagram showing the sequence of movements

Question 7

Advantages of the Gantt Chart

Answer 7

Can show an estimated time schedule

Comments can be added

Question 8

Disadvantages of Gantt Chart

Answer 8

Too simple for complex project

Task time is estimated so the plan may be unrealistic

Question 9

Advantages of PERT Chart/Critical Path

Answer 9

Can show slack time so resources can be reallocated

Question 10

Disadvantage of PERT Chart/Critical Path

Answer 10

Can become confusing

Needs skill and knowledge to create

Question 11

Advantages of Visualisation Diagram

Answer 11

Information and data can be understood quickly

Emerging trends and patterns can be spotted quickly

Question 12

Disadvantages of Visualisation Diagram

Answer 12

Not appropriate for large and complex projects

Question 13

Advantages of Mind Maps

Answer 13

Easy to add ideas and tasks at any time

Question 14

Disadvantages of Mind Maps

Answer 14

No time schedule

Can be difficult for other to understand

Question 15

Advantages of Task List

Answer 15

Can help focus on the tasks to be completed

No tasks will be missed out

Question 16

Disadvantages of Task List

Answer 16

Should not be used for large and complex projects

Question 17

Advantages of Flowcharts

Answer 17

Can be useful for a simple project

Do not need specialist project planning

Question 18

Disadvantages of Flowcharts

Answer 18

Do not show time scales

Question 19

What is a Visualisation Diagrams?

Answer 19

A technique for creating images and diagrams

Question 20

Concurrent definition

Answer 20

Tasks that can be completed at the same time

Question 21

Dependency definition

Answer 21

A task which cannot be started until a pervious specific task has been completed

Question 22

Static Product definition

Answer 22

A product that doesn’t move

Question 23

Examples of a static product

Answer 23

CD/DVD/Blu-ray cover

Poster or magazine cover front cover

Question 24

Duration definition

Answer 24

How much time a task should take to be completed

Question 25

What are the informal planning tools?

Answer 25

Flowchart, Mind map and task list

Question 26

What are the formal planning tools?

Answer 26

Gantt Chart, PERT Chart/Critical Path and Visualisation Diagram

Question 27

What software can be used to create planning documentation?

Answer 27

Project Management Software Spreadsheets Word processers DTP (desktop publishing)

Question 28

What is project management software useful for?

Answer 28

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

Question 29

What can a spreadsheet be used for in planning?

Answer 29

A template can be used for a simple Gantt chart

Question 30

What can a word processer be used for in planning?

Answer 30

To create many plans like a task list or mind map

Question 31

What can a Desktop publishing be used for in planning?

Answer 31

Can be used to create a visualisation diagram and a mind map

Question 32

Group/grouping definition

Answer 32

Several components that can be moved as one. Feature usually found in word processing software