Task & Project Management Flashcards
Define:
Projects:
MOD2: Task & Project Management
- Have a fixed time frame. A clear beginning and definitive end. Temporary by nature.
- Have specific, predefined purpose(s). Objectives established in advance (time, cost, quality, and outcomes)
- Generates distinct results. Not operational functions. Have high impact which means greater risk is involved.
- Multistep. Involve an interconnected set of tasks and may, but not always, involve others-a whole team rather than a single individual.
Define:
Tasks:
MOD2: Task & Project Management
- Are single step. They can typically be done in one sitting or a single chunk of focused time.
- May be ongoing, more routine, and operational in nature.
- Provide limited impact and risk.
- Usually can be completed by one person, as opposed to a team of people.
Define:
Project Owner:
MOD2: Task & Project Management
The person who initiates or sponsors the project and defines high-level requirements.
Define:
Stakeholder:
MOD2: Task & Project Management
The people impacted by the outcome of the project.
List:
Project management knowledge draws on 10 areas:
MOD2: Task & Project Management
- Integration
- Cost
- Human Resources
- Stakeholder Management
- Scope
- Quality
- Communications
- Time
- Procurement
- Risk Management
Skilled project managers (PMs) possess the following skills and characteristics:
MOD2: Task & Project Management
- Organized - PMs are methodical, they follow systems and processes and use tools to keep things in order
- Effective time managers - PMs understand how long tasks should take, they priortize and they plan their approach.
- Excellent communicators - PMs are direct, specific and clear in their communication.
- Diligent with follow-up - PMs monitor, assess, track, and gather status updates on a continual basis. They always know where their projects stand.
Common reasons a project can become unwieldy…
MOD2: Task & Project Management
- Lack of process
- Scope creep or change
- Failure of others to do their part
- Budget or time underestimation
- Lack of controls such as no one overseeing or monitoring what is happening
Define:
Scope
MOD2: Task & Project Management
the goals and parameters of a project, establishes what the project entails and what it does not entail.
Define:
Scope creep
MOD2: Task & Project Management
when critical elements are constantly changing or expanding.
Five stages of a project
MOD2: Task & Project Management
- Initiating
- Planning
- Executing
- Monitoring and Controlling
- Closing
Stage 1: Initiating
5 Stages of a Project
MOD2: Task & Project Management
- defines the scope
- defines deliverables - such as budget, deadlines and other constraints
- identifies all business owners and stakeholders as well as team members needed to complete the project.
Stage 2: Planning
5 Stages of a Project
MOD2: Task & Project Management
- specific tasks are defined and phases established
- create realistic timelines
- create a logical order for task completion
Define:
Precedent task
MOD2: Task & Project Management
must be completed before another one can be done
Define:
Dependent task
MOD2: Task & Project Management
can only be done after another task has been completed
True or False
When you determine an estimated duration for each task, always include a safety margin of additional time (50%) to deal with the unexpected.
MOD2: Task & Project Management
True
Stage 3: Executing
5 Stages of a Project
MOD2: Task & Project Management
- tasks are assigned and constraints such as deadlines and budgets are communicated
- make specific and direct requests regarding what needs to be done and by when
- share any constraints to which that person needs to adhere
- document communication in writing even if a request was made in person by sending a follow up email reiterating the request
The following definition is called…
If management has delegated you to manage a project that requires assigning tasks to others, it is called…
MOD2: Task & Project Management
Indirect authority
Stage 4: Monitoring and Controlling
5 Stages of a Project
MOD2: Task & Project Management
- the PM’s role is to ensure everyone is on target and the project is being executed according to plan.
- do not micromanage, trust your team and check in frequently
Communication is essential during the monitoring and controlling phase. Some communication strategies PMs can employ are…
MOD2: Task & Project Management
- Formal project meetings (face to face)
- Informal communication (phone, email, conference call etc…)
- Regular status updates
- Shared documentation
Stage 5: Closing
5 Stages of a Project
MOD2: Task & Project Management
- PM verifies that the established outcomes were achieved
- fixes any problems that may still be left unresolved
- evaluate the final results, what worked and didn’t work, discuss the process and lessons learned
The following are…
- Microsoft Project
- Gantt Chart
- Google Docs
- Basecamp
MOD2: Task & Project Management
Tools for Project Management
Define:
Gantt Chart
MOD2: Task & Project Management
a visual representation of a project that illustratesa variety of elements
developed in the mid 1890s by an engineer
Best practices for task collection & organization
MOD2: Task & Project Management
- collect everything - write it down
- electronic vs. paper
- master vs. daily lists
- define next actions
- refer to it frequently
- cross things off!
True or False
Processing tasks is the act of actually completing them—the “doing” of the work.
MOD2: Task & Project Management
True
The following describes what?
“performing two or more tasks at the same time.”
MOD2: Task & Project Management
Multitasking
When we rapidly switch from one task to another we are…
MOD2: Task & Project Management
Switchtasking
True or False
Research shows that only about 2.5% of people in controlled studies can multitask without performing worse at either task.
MOD2: Task & Project Management
True
Define:
Background tasking
MOD2: Task & Project Management
tasks that can be done simultaneously, because one or both tasks do not require mental effort.
example: listening to music while cleaning the house.
The following describes:
Complete one task after another in order of priority.
MOD2: Task & Project Management
Serial tasking
Define:
Rapid refocus
MOD2: Task & Project Management
to focus fully on the task at hand and then smoothly transition that concentration wholly to the next task.
The following describes what…
Do all of the items that are similar in nature in one period of time, (stapling, folding letters, or stuffing envelopes) so you only have one ramp up (get everything out and organized) and one slow down (put everything away)
MOD2: Task & Project Management
Batching
Define:
Time blocking
MOD2: Task & Project Management
block off time on your calendar to focus on one specific item or a batch of items.
The following describes what?
Work will expand or contract to fill the time available for its completion.
That means if you have all day to complete one task, that one task will take you all day to complete.
MOD2: Task & Project Management
Parkinson’s Law
What is the de facto system?
MOD2: Task & Project Management
When someone taught you how to do a certain task in a certain way - institutional knowledge.
True or False
A system is the established way of doing things.
MOD2: Task & Project Management
True
The most effective systems are:
MOD2: Task & Project Management
- Clear
- Consistent
- Correct
- Consensual
- Concrete