LM3 (CH2, 16) TEXT

What is a Work Breakdown Structure (WBS)?

A depiction of the project in terms of discrete pieces of work and the ordering of those pieces.

What does the WBS first examine?

Macro requirements of what needs to be delivered.

From artifacts required, what does the high-level WBS identify?

Tasks that will produce the artifacts and their sequencing.

Why are tasks refined into subtasks in WBS?

So each subtask can be performed by a single individual.

What does the WBS provide for scheduling?

Tasks, dates, and effort for the initial project schedule.

What are the main activities in WBS?

Examine deliverables, identify tasks, sequence tasks, estimate effort, estimate productivity, compute time, assign resources.

What parameters affect WBS activity choices and sequencing?

Size/complexity of problem and solution, process and methodology used.

What is a sequence diagram?

Diagram showing tasks, order, and which tasks can be performed in parallel.

What steps are used to construct a sequence diagram?

List deliverables, list activities, list subtasks, refine subtasks, construct sequence relationships, depict with diagram.

Guideline for WBS refinement

Each task may be assigned to one person; time estimate does not exceed 2–3 project status meetings.

Before assigning task time estimates, what must be decided?

The unit of measurement.

If task < 1 day, what unit should be used for time estimates?

One-hour units.

How many hours per day should PMs count for software work?

Six hours.

What are two popular estimation methods?

Ask experienced team members; assemble a team of technical experts.

What must be considered when applying people resources to tasks?

Required skills, availability, timing, and competing needs.

What is a project milestone?

A significant event in a project that occurs at a specific point in time.

T/F: Depending on project size, a milestone-only schedule may be used.

TRUE

What are the two areas requiring extra care in WBS?

Task effort estimation and inclusion of all relevant tasks.

Why is task effort estimation risky?

It requires prior experience and is often inaccurate.

Will the first iteration of WBS, schedule, and milestones be final?

No, reviews and iterations are expected.

What do stakeholder reviews of WBS achieve?

Openness of information and shared understanding/commitment.

What are two characteristics of tasks?

Required effort and specified order.

Why break tasks down to assignable units?

So each can be given to one responsible person.

How can tabular task representations be used?

Converted into graphical task network representations.

What is the critical path?

Path that takes the most time units to complete.

How is project elapsed time estimated?

Add effort estimates of all tasks on critical path.

What are critical activities?

Tasks that reside on the critical path.

Can projects have multiple critical paths?

Yes.

What is a noncritical path?

Path that takes less time than the critical path.

What is early start/early finish scheduling?

Forward pass starting tasks as early as possible.

What is late start/late finish scheduling?

Backward pass determining the latest times without delay.

What is total slack time?

LS – ES or LF – EF for a task.

What is free slack time?

Time a task can be delayed without affecting successor start times.

T/F: More accurate estimates make task scheduling more meaningful.

TRUE

What estimates does PERT use?

Optimistic, pessimistic, and most likely.

What does PERT calculate?

Weighted average estimate for task duration.

Expected project time with PERT = ?

Sum of expected estimates of critical tasks.

Most popular method to reduce task time in software projects

Apply more human resources.

Why can adding people extend project time?

New personnel require training and updates.

What is Critical Path Method (CPM)?

Procedure to estimate trade-offs between project duration and cost.

Steps of CPM:

Compute cost slope, pick lowest cost slope task, apply resources, check schedule, repeat if needed.

What happens if a critical task is split?

Another path may become the new critical path.

Final form of schedule

A calendar format including weekends and holidays.

Most popular software project management tool

MS Project.

What is the result of WBS activity?

A project task network shown in tabular or graphical form.

What are recap points on paths?

Critical path is longest; noncritical shorter; free slack allows delay without affecting successors.

What does PERT provide?

Weighted average estimates to predict project completion time.

What does CPM provide?

Assessment of cost-to-schedule trade-offs to improve schedule.