Systems Analysis and Design - Managing Systems Projects Vocabulary

Vocabulary flashcards covering key project management concepts, scheduling tools, task patterns, critical path determination, and risk management techniques from Chapter 3.

Project Management

The process of planning, scheduling, monitoring and controlling, and reporting on information system development.

Project Triangle

A framework illustrating the three key legs of a project—cost, scope, and time—where a change in one leg directly affects the others.

Project Planning

The phase of project management focused on identifying all project tasks and estimating the completion time and cost of each task.

Project Scheduling

The phase of project management focused on creating a specific timetable showing tasks, task dependencies, and critical tasks that might delay the project.

Project Monitoring

The phase of project management involved in guiding, supervising, and coordinating the project team's workload.

Project Reporting

The regular creation of progress reports for management, users, and the project team itself.

Work Breakdown Structure (WBS)

The technique of breaking down a project into a series of smaller, manageable tasks.

Gantt Chart

A horizontal bar chart representing a set of tasks that shows planned and actual progress over time.

PERT/CPM Charts

Project management tools using bottom-up techniques to display complex task patterns, scheduling, and control mechanisms.

Task

Any unit of work in a project that has a clear beginning and end and consumes company resources such as time, money, or people.

Events or Milestones

Recognizable reference points along a project timeline used to monitor progress.

Task Patterns

The logical arrangement and sequence of project tasks, which may include dependent, multiple successor, or multiple predecessor tasks.

Task Box

A visual component in network diagrams that displays key task information including Task Name, Start Day/Date, Task ID, Finish Day/Date, and Task Duration.

Dependent Tasks

A sequence of tasks where one task can only begin after a preceding task has been completed.

Multiple Successor Tasks

A pattern where multiple concurrent tasks can be initiated simultaneously once a common predecessor task is completed.

Multiple Predecessor Tasks

A pattern where a task cannot start until two or more prior tasks are finished.

Critical Path

A series of interconnected tasks that, if delayed, will directly delay the overall project completion date.

Structured Walk-Through

A formal review of a project team member's work by other team members, conducted throughout the SDLC.

Qualitative Risk Analysis

An evaluation technique that estimates the probability of a risk occurring and the severity of its impact.

Quantitative Risk Analysis

An evaluation technique that assesses the actual financial, temporal, scope, or quality impact of a risk.

Risk Response Plan

A proactive strategy detailing action plans to address anticipated project risks.

Risk Matrix

A grid tool used to visually display and evaluate risks based on probability and potential impact.

Microsoft Project

A full-featured software application holding the dominant market share for managing project planning, scheduling, and monitoring.

GanttProject

A free, open-source application used for project planning and task management.

Gantter

A free cloud-based tool designed for managing project schedules.