PM3110 Chapter 9

Question 1

Activity (Also called task)

Answer 1

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.

Question 2

(AOA) Activity-on-Arrow

Answer 2

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.

Question 3

(AON) Activity-on-Node

Answer 3

represents an activity and the path arrows demonstrate the logical sequencing from node to node through the network.

Question 4

Backward pass

Answer 4

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.

Question 5

Beta distribution

Answer 5

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.

Question 6

Burst activity

Answer 6

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.

Question 7

Concurrent activities

Answer 7

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.

Question 8

Confidence interval

Answer 8

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.

Question 9

Crashing

Answer 9

Speeding up the process

Question 10

Critical path

Answer 10

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.

Question 11

(CPM) Critical Path Method

Answer 11

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.

Question 12

Duration estimation

Answer 12

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.

Question 13

Early start (ES) date

Answer 13

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.

Question 14

Event

Answer 14

A point when an activity is either started or completed.

Question 15

Float (also called slack)

Answer 15

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.

Question 16

Forward pass

Answer 16

Network calculations that determine the earliest start/earliest finish time (date) for each activity.

Question 17

Hammock activities

Answer 17

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.”

Question 18

Laddering activites

Answer 18

a technique that allows us to redraw the activity network to more closely sequence project subtasks to make the overall network sequence more efficient.

Question 19

Late start (LS) date

Answer 19

The latest possible date that an activity may begin without delaying a specified milestone (usually the project finish date).

Question 20

Linked activity

Answer 20

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.

Question 21

Merge activity

Answer 21

An activity with two or more immediate predecessors (tasks flowing into it), and can be located by doing a forward pass through the network.

Question 22

Network diagram

Answer 22

a schematic display of the project’s sequential activities and the logical relationships between them.

Question 23

Node

Answer 23

One of the defining points of a network; a junction point joined to some or all of the others by dependency lines (paths).

Question 24

Path

Answer 24

A sequence of activities defined by the project network logic.

Question 25

Predecessors

Answer 25

Those activities that must be completed prior to initiation of a later activity in the network.

Question 26

(PERT) Program Evaluation and Review Technique

Answer 26

.An event- and probability-based network analysis system generally used in projects where activities and their durations are difficult to define.

Question 27

(PND) Project network diagram

Answer 27

.Any schematic display of the logical relationships of ­project activities.

Question 28

Project scheduling

Answer 28

Any schematic display of the logical relationships of ­project activities.

Question 29

Resource-limited schedule

Answer 29

A project schedule whose start and finish dates reflect expected resource availability.

Question 30

Scope

Answer 30

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.

Question 31

Serial activities

Answer 31

Activities that flow from one to the next, in sequence.

Question 32

Successors

Answer 32

Activities that cannot be started until previous activities have been completed. These activities follow predecessor tasks.

Question 33

Variance (activity and projec)t

Answer 33

A quantifiable deviation, departure, or divergence away from a known baseline or expected value.

Question 34

(WBS) Work Breakdown Structure

Answer 34

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.

Question 35

Work packages

Answer 35

A deliverable at the lowest level of the Work Breakdown Structure; it is an element of work performed during the course of a project.