Managing System Projects - Chapter 3 Notes

Project Management

The process involving planning, scheduling, monitoring, controlling, and reporting on IT projects.

Project Triangle

A framework for balancing cost, scope, and time in project management.

Work Breakdown Structure (WBS)

A hierarchical decomposition of a project into smaller, manageable tasks.

Gantt Chart

A horizontal bar chart that represents tasks over time, showing planned and actual progress.

PERT Chart

A network diagram used to analyze the sequence of tasks and their dependencies in a project.

Critical Path

The longest sequence of dependent tasks that determines the project's duration; any delay here affects the overall project completion.

Task Patterns

The logical sequence in which tasks must be completed in a project.

Slack Time

The total time that a task can be delayed without delaying the project completion.

Risk Management

The process of identifying, analyzing, and mitigating risks that could negatively affect a project.

Qualitative Risk Analysis

The process of evaluating risks based on their probability of occurrence and impact degree.

Quantitative Risk Analysis

Determining the actual impact of risks in terms of costs, time, and project quality.

Project Monitoring and Control

The continuous process of tracking project progress and ensuring adherence to the project plan.

Microsoft Project

A software program widely used for project management that includes features like Gantt and PERT charts.