Questions and Answers
What does project scope include?
Which tool is used to improve the efficiency of project execution according to the unit?
What new features did the University XYZ request to add to their digital management system during the COVID-19 pandemic?
What was the primary reason for the shift from manual to digital registration at the University XYZ?
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What is involved in developing a project scope baseline?
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What type of records does the digital management system for the University XYZ include?
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How long was the digital management system in use before the pandemic challenges emerged?
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Which aspect is NOT a part of project scheduling?
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What is the primary function of Kanban in IT project management?
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How does Kanban help manage project tasks?
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Which of the following is NOT a part of a simple Kanban board?
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What feature of Kanban aligns tasks with current resources?
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Which element is essential for adequate project planning in Kanban?
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What is a key benefit of using Kanban software solutions?
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Which part of the Kanban board typically indicates completed tasks?
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How does Kanban contribute to effective resource planning for future iterations?
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What is the purpose of estimating duration in project scheduling?
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Which estimating method utilizes historical data from similar projects?
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Which formula is used for the three-point estimating method using the Beta distribution?
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What defines a mandatory dependency between tasks?
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In which type of dependency can tasks overlap but one must start before the other begins?
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What does a network diagram represent in project management?
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What is the critical path in project management?
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Which dependency is defined as not being under the direct control of the project team?
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What is required to identify total project duration accurately?
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Which of the following statements about immediate predecessors is true?
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How is the duration estimated in the three-point estimating method?
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What type of dependency is influenced by lessons learned from previous projects?
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Which task characteristic indicates it can only proceed after another task is completed?
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What is the significance of slack time in project management?
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How can one determine the number of paths in a network diagram?
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What defines a critical path in project scheduling?
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In transforming a network diagram to a Gantt chart, activities without predecessors should start on what date?
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Which of the following statements about Gantt charts is false?
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What is a project milestone used for?
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Which activity's start date is dependent on multiple predecessor activities being completed?
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What is the primary limitation of traditional Gantt charts for complex IT projects?
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What is essential for automatically creating a Gantt chart?
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What happens if delays occur in non-critical path activities?
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Which of the following software solutions is mentioned for project management?
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What is a characteristic of Gantt charts?
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Which activity should start after Activity D's completion?
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In terms of scheduling, what is required for an activity that has more than one predecessor?
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What is a project scope primarily based on?
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Which of the following is a key component of a scope statement?
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What does a Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) help to identify?
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Why is it important to identify dependencies between tasks in a project?
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How should a project manager clarify detailed customer requirements in an agile project?
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What defines the starting and finishing dates of a project?
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What is a Gantt chart primarily used for in project management?
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What documents accompany the Work Breakdown Structure for better task understanding?
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Which aspect does the scope statement NOT specifically address?
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Why is the Project Schedule considered one of the most challenging elements of projects?
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What represents the totality of the project being developed?
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In the SMART approach, what does 'M' stand for?
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What is considered one of the main constraints that project managers must manage?
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Study Notes
Study Goals
- Apply project management tools for scoping and scheduling.
- Develop a project scope baseline.
- Estimate project schedules and create schedule baselines.
- Implement the Kanban agile framework to enhance project execution efficiency.
Project Scope
- Encompasses all features required in project deliverables.
- Essential for effective project delivery; inadequate scoping can jeopardize outcomes.
- Based on customer requirements aligned with project objectives.
Case Study Overview
- University XYZ transitioned from manual to digital student registration using a management system over 10 years.
- Faced challenges during COVID-19, leading to a project to add online classrooms and assessments.
- Budget: 20,000 euros with a 2-month timeline for system upgrades.
Planning Techniques
- Project scope must be clearly defined to satisfy customer needs, informed by requirements.
- Requirements can be formalized in contracts, particularly in traditional methodologies.
- Agile projects often start with general requirements, necessitating ongoing communication for clarity.
Scope Statement and Work Breakdown Structure (WBS)
- Scope statement outlines project deliverables using the SMART criteria: Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, Time-bound.
- Example for a scope statement: Upgrade digital management to support online classes for at least 200 students, assess plagiarism, and store submissions for 3 years within 2 months.
- WBS decomposes the project into detailed activities for estimating duration, dependencies, resources, and costs.
Scheduling Techniques
- Project duration estimation is critical and impacts project constraints.
- Network diagramming and Critical Path Method (CPM) help manage schedules efficiently.
- Sequencing of tasks is necessary to establish dependencies between activities.
Activity List and Task Estimation
- Activity lists should include task names, descriptions, and unique identifiers.
- Duration estimation methods include:
- Analogous estimating: Using past project data.
- Parametric estimating: Modeling duration based on variables.
- Three-point estimating: Creating optimistic, pessimistic, and most likely duration scenarios.
- Total project duration is determined after developing a network diagram, not simply by summing individual task durations.
Dependencies and Scheduling
- Dependencies among tasks include:
- Mandatory: Physical constraints.
- Discretionary: Based on experience.
- Internal: Managed by project teams.
- External: Outside direct control.
- Types of dependency relationships:
- Finish-to-start (FS): Task A must finish before Task B starts.
- Start-to-start (SS): Task A begins simultaneously with Task B.
- Finish-to-finish (FF): Task A must finish to complete Task B.
Network Diagram and Critical Path
- A visual representation of task dependencies; essential for identifying the critical path.
- The critical path determines the shortest project duration and highlights tasks affecting overall timelines.
- Non-critical path tasks can be delayed without impacting overall project completion due to slack time.
Gantt Charts
- Gantt charts provide a graphical overview of project schedules using horizontal bars to represent activity durations.
- Key information includes starting and finishing dates and allows tracking of any deviations from the project plan.
- Gantt charts can be derived from network diagrams by adhering to task sequencing rules.
Milestones and Monitoring
- Milestones mark significant achievements within the project timeline and help track progress, alerting managers to potential delays.
- Example: Completion of the online classroom feature upgrade by a specific date.
Software Solutions for Project Management
- Tools like MS Project simplify Gantt chart creation and project scheduling, automating the process based on dependencies and durations.
Operational Planning: Kanban
- Kanban is utilized for visualizing and managing the iterative execution of IT projects, adapting to the evolving nature of project requirements.
- It supports project managers by organizing tasks and enhancing workflow visibility.### Kanban Methodology
- Kanban provides a visual way to manage project flow and task stages, similar to a traffic signal.
- It utilizes a Kanban board, typically organized into three main parts: ToDo, InProgress, and Complete.
- Each task is color-coded to indicate its current stage and priority level within the workflow.
Extended Kanban Board for Software Projects
- For software projects, a more detailed Kanban board is recommended with five parts:
- Backlog
- Queue
- Writing
- Editing
- Done
Work in Progress (WIP) Limitation
- Kanban emphasizes limiting Work in Progress to align tasks with available capacity and resources.
- It helps project managers determine the number of tasks assigned at each stage.
Project Planning and Control
- Adequate project planning leads to smooth execution and effective control systems.
- The first step in planning is defining the project scope, which is essential for creating a work breakdown structure.
Scheduling and Dependencies
- After identifying project tasks, project managers must establish dependencies and develop a project schedule.
- Gantt charts are useful tools for visualizing project timelines and task relationships.
Agile and IT Projects
- The Kanban approach is particularly effective for tracking progress in agile IT projects.
- Flexibility and transparency provided by Kanban are crucial for handling the unique challenges posed by IT project management.
Tools and Implementations
- Kanban can be used simply with a whiteboard or through specialized software solutions suitable for managing complex projects.
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Description
Enhance your project management skills with this quiz focused on planning techniques. You'll learn about scoping, scheduling, and the Kanban agile framework. This unit covers essential tools for developing project scope and schedule baselines to improve execution efficiency.