PM3110 Chapter 9 Flashcards
Activity (Also called task)
Project scheduling defines network logic for allactivities; that is,tasksmust either precede or follow other tasks from the beginning of the project to its completion.
(AOA) Activity-on-Arrow
represents the task, or activity, and the node signifies an event marker that suggests the completion of one activity and the potential to start the next.
(AON) Activity-on-Node
represents an activity and the path arrows demonstrate the logical sequencing from node to node through the network.
Backward pass
The asymmetry of the probability distribution suggests we recognize that certain events are less likely to occur than others. In project management, it is more common to see probability distributions that are asymmetrical.
Beta distribution
The asymmetry of the probability distribution suggests we recognize that certain events are less likely to occur than others. In project management, it is more common to see probability distributions that are asymmetrical.
Burst activity
An activity with two or more immediate successor activities (tasks flowing out from it). Burst activities can be located by doing a backward pass through the network.
Concurrent activities
When the nature of the work allows for more than one activity to be accomplished at the same time, and parallel project activity paths are constructed through the network.
Confidence interval
Because uncertainty is so common in activity estimation, more than one activity estimate may be reasonably held. The goal is to achieve an interval that provides the highest reasonable probability of being accurate.
Crashing
Speeding up the process
Critical path
The path through the project network with the longest duration. This path may change from time to time as activities are completed ahead of or behind schedule. These activities are identified as having zero float in the project.
(CPM) Critical Path Method
Anetwork analysis technique used to determine the amount of scheduling flexibility (the amount of float) on various logical network paths in the project schedule network, and to determine the minimum total project duration.
Duration estimation
The first point to remember is that these estimates are based on what is assumed to be normal working methods during normal business or working hours. Second, although factors such as past experience or familiarity with the work will influence the accuracy of these estimates, these are always somewhat uncertain. Third, time frames for task estimates can vary from several hours for short projects to days and weeks for longer projects.
Early start (ES) date
The earliest possible date on which the uncompleted portions of an activity (or the project) can start, based on the network logic and any schedule constraints.
Event
A point when an activity is either started or completed.
Float (also called slack)
The amount of time an activity may be delayed from its early start without delaying the finish of the project. It is a mathematical calculation and can change as the project progresses and changes are made in the project plan.
Forward pass
Network calculations that determine the earliest start/earliest finish time (date) for each activity.
Hammock activities
This can be used as summaries for some subsets of the activities identified in the overall project network. Named because it hangs below the network path for consultant tasks and serves as an aggregation of task durations for the activities it “rolls up.”
Laddering activites
a technique that allows us to redraw the activity network to more closely sequence project subtasks to make the overall network sequence more efficient.
Late start (LS) date
The latest possible date that an activity may begin without delaying a specified milestone (usually the project finish date).
Linked activity
illustrates the scheduling goal. Project scheduling defines network logic for allactivities; that is,tasksmust either precede or follow other tasks from the beginning of the project to its completion.
Merge activity
An activity with two or more immediate predecessors (tasks flowing into it), and can be located by doing a forward pass through the network.
Network diagram
a schematic display of the project’s sequential activities and the logical relationships between them.
Node
One of the defining points of a network; a junction point joined to some or all of the others by dependency lines (paths).
Path
A sequence of activities defined by the project network logic.
Predecessors
Those activities that must be completed prior to initiation of a later activity in the network.
(PERT) Program Evaluation and Review Technique
.An event- and probability-based network analysis system generally used in projects where activities and their durations are difficult to define.
(PND) Project network diagram
.Any schematic display of the logical relationships of project activities.
Project scheduling
Any schematic display of the logical relationships of project activities.
Resource-limited schedule
A project schedule whose start and finish dates reflect expected resource availability.
Scope
The work content and products of a project or component of a project. This is fully described by naming all activities performed, the resources consumed, and the end products that result, including quality standards.
Serial activities
Activities that flow from one to the next, in sequence.
Successors
Activities that cannot be started until previous activities have been completed. These activities follow predecessor tasks.
Variance (activity and projec)t
A quantifiable deviation, departure, or divergence away from a known baseline or expected value.
(WBS) Work Breakdown Structure
A task-oriented “family tree” of activities that organizes, defines, and graphically displays the total work to be accomplished in order to achieve the final objectives of a project.
Work packages
A deliverable at the lowest level of the Work Breakdown Structure; it is an element of work performed during the course of a project.
