Project Delivery Flashcards
Explain the difference between critical path and critical chain as a scheduling technique
Critical path:
Focuses on completing the project on time by identifying the activities that must be completed in a specific order.
Assumes that activities don’t share resources and adds extra time (buffers) to the schedule to manage delays.
Critical chain:
Focuses on completing the project as quickly as possible by identifying the resources needed and managing them efficiently.
Assumes that activities share resources and adds buffers to manage uncertainty and protect the critical path from delays.
In summary, while critical path focuses on completing the project on time by managing the sequence of activities, critical chain focuses on completing the project as quickly as possible by managing the availability of resources.
How are resources categorised and allocated to a linear and iterative life cycle schedule?
In linear life cycle schedules, resources are allocated to specific phases of the project, while in iterative life cycle schedules, resources are allocated based on the needs of the development team.
Linear schedules allocate resources to a phase of the project once that phase has been completed and approved, while iterative schedules allocate resources based on the needs of the team at a given time.
Regardless of the type of schedule used, it’s important to allocate resources efficiently and effectively to ensure the project is completed on time, within budget, and to the desired level of quality.
Explain the difference between resource smoothing and resource levelling
Both techniques involve adjusting task timing to manage resource availability.
Resource levelling: Involves making more significant changes to the project schedule and may impact the critical path
Resource smoothing: Involves smaller adjustments to non-critical tasks and does not impact the critical path. We would do this if a project timeline had been moved closer.
Explain the difference between cost planning for iterative life cycles and linear life cycles.
Iterative life cycles:
Cost planning based on shorter timeframes.
Focus on managing costs within each iteration.
Linear life cycles:
Cost planning based on entire project duration.
Focus on managing costs across entire project duration.
Describe ways to create and maintain a critical path schedule
CPM can be used to create and maintain a schedule by:
Identifying the tasks and their dependencies
Calculating the duration of each task
Determining the critical path and total duration of the project
Adjusting the schedule to account for changes and updates
Explain the following schedules:
Critical path and Gantt charts
Critical path method (CPM): Identifies the longest path of tasks in a project, which determines the minimum time required to complete the project. PMs can focus on tasks that are most likely to impact the project timeline.
Gantt chart: A bar chart that displays a project schedule, including the start and end dates of tasks, dependencies, and progress.
Describe ways to create and maintain a Gantt schedule
Identifying the tasks and their durations
Establishing the dependencies between tasks
Creating a timeline that displays the start and end dates of each task
Monitoring progress and making updates as needed
Explain the ways in which conflicts can be addressed
Compete: Useful when quick, decisive action is needed, or when there is a need to make an unpopular decision. Can damage relationships.
Collaborate: Useful when the issue is complex and there are multiple solutions, or when a long-term relationship needs to be maintained. Time-consuming.
Avoid: Useful when the issue is minor or when there are more pressing matters to attend to. Can lead to resentment.
Accommodate: Useful when maintaining relationships is more important than the outcome. Can result in a suboptimal outcome for the accommodating party.
Compromise: Useful when time is limited. May not result in a satisfactory outcome for either party and may not address underlying issues.
Explain how to plan and conduct negotiations including ZOPA, BATNA and win-win
ZOPA: Zone of possible agreement is where both parties can agree to in a negotiation.
BATNA: The best alternative to negotiated agreement
Win-win negotiation: An approach to find a solution that satisfies the needs of both parties.
Plan negotiation: Define objectives, gather info, identify solutions, determine ZOPA and BATNA, plan negotiation, conduct negotiation, and finalize agreement.
explain the information management process
Collection: Collecting and gathering the required information for the project.
Storage: Storing the information in a secure and accessible location.
Curation: Organizing and managing the information in a logical and systematic way.
Dissemination: Sharing the information with the appropriate stakeholders.
Archiving: Archiving the information for future reference.
Destruction: Disposing of the information appropriately when it is no longer needed.
Outline the role of knowledge and information management to inform decision making
The role of knowledge and information management is to gather and analyze relevant data, share knowledge, facilitate collaboration, ensure data quality, and identify risks and opportunities to inform decision-making.
