Management of Schedule: Estimate activity duration

Question 1

What should you do before duration processes begin? Think units

Answer 1

Select duration unit (wks, days, hrs)

Question 2

What did Apollo say about a modern perspective on probabilistic approaches?

Answer 2

Although they are often only implemented for uncertain/high risk activities. It is sensible to implement these across all activities.

Question 3

What should you do with duration estimation with workers expertise?

Answer 3

Let the workers estimate durations, it stimulates better progress as it incentives them to finish works on time!

Question 4

What is good practice to refer to when considering activity durations?

Answer 4

1. Activity list
2. Project network diagram (PND)

Question 5

What are the 4 estimation techniques and is each one probabilistic or deterministic or first principles?

Answer 5

1. Analogous estimating (deterministic)
2. Parametric estimating (deterministic)
3. Three-point estimating (probabilistic)
4. Bottom-up estimating (first principles, time consuming!)

Question 6

What is analogous estimating

Answer 6

Using duration estimates from previous projects with similar characteristics

Question 7

What is parametric estimating

Answer 7

CESMM4 hourly rates and quantities (rate * quantity)

Question 8

What is three point estimating

Answer 8

Probabilistic approach estimating a duration for optimistic, most likely and pessimistic cases

Question 9

What is bottom up estimating?

Answer 9

Working out durations from first principles! Estimations are made using the lower level components of the WBS.

Question 10

What tools and techniques can you say pretty much about every single fucking thing in schedule?

Answer 10

1. Organise meetings with other project managers
2. Leverage the experience of industry professionals can result in more accurate duration estimates. Let the workers determine durations/sequence of activities!

Question 11

For the deterministic approaches such as parametric estimating or analogous estimating, we can increase the number of labour gangs to increase the rate works are completed. What tool is important to consider when doing this, what can be assumed, and what needs considering?

Answer 11

Tool: Expert judgement
Assumption: It can be assumed doubling labour gang halve the rate.
Consider: Think of the practical limitations, logistical constraints and worksite safety! (10 labour gangs won’t decrease the rate by 10*)