question

analogy approach

answer

creating a WBS by using a *similar project's WBS* as a starting point

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benchmarking

answer

generating ideas by *comparing specific project practices or product characteristics* to those other projects or products inside or outside the performing organization

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bottom-up approach

answer

creating a WBS by having team members identify as many specific tasks related to the project as possible and then grouping them into higher-level categories

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decomposition

answer

*subdividing* project deliverables into small *pieces*

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deliverable

answer

a product, such as a report or segment of software code, produced as part of a project

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Joint Application Design (JAD)

answer

Using highly *organized and intensive workshops* to bring together project stakeholders-the sponsor, users, business analysts, programmers, and so on-to jointly define and design information systems

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project scope management

answer

the processes involved in defining and controlling what work is or is not *included* in the project

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project scope statement

answer

a document that includes at least a *description* of the project, including its overall objectives and justification, detailed descriptions of all project deliverables and the characteristics and requirements of products and services produced as part of the project

question

prototyping

answer

developing a *working replica* of the system or some aspect of it to help define user requirements

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requirement

answer

a *condition or capability that must be met* by the project or that must be present in the product, service, or result, to satisfy an agreement or other formally imposed specification

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requirements management plan

answer

a plan that describes how project requirements will be analyzed, documented and managed

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requirements traceability matrix (RTM)

answer

A table that list requirements, their various attributes, and the status of the requirements to ensure that all are addressed

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scope

answer

*all the work involved* in creating the products of the project and the processes used to create them

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scope baseline

answer

the approved project scope statement and its associated WBS and WBS dictionary

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scope creep

answer

the tendency for project scope to keep getting bigger

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scope validation

answer

formal *acceptance* of the completed project *deliverables*

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top-down approach

answer

Creating a WBS by starting with the largest items of the project and breaking them into subordinate items

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use case modeling

answer

a process for identifying and modeling business events, who initiated them, and how the system should respond to them

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variance

answer

the difference between planned and actual performance

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WBS dictionary

answer

a document that includes detailed information about each WBS item

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work breakdown structure (WBS)

answer

a *deliverable-oriented grouping of the work* involved in a project that defines its total scope

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work package

answer

a task at the lowest level of the WBS

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activity attributes

answer

info about each activity, such as predecessors, successors, logical relationships, leads and lags, resource requirements, constraints, imposed dates, and assumptions related to the activity

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activity list

answer

a tabulation of activities to be included on a project schedule

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arrow-on-arrow (AOA)

answer

a networking diagram technique in which activities are represented by arrows and connected at points called nodes to illustrate the sequence of activities; also called ADM

question

backward pass

answer

a project network diagramming technique that determines the late start and late finish dates for each activity

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baseline dates

answer

the planned schedule dates for activities in a Tracking Gantt chart

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buffer

answer

additional time to complete a task ; a buffer is added to an estimate to account for various factors

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burst

answer

a single node followed by two or more activities on a network diagram

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crashing

answer

a technique for making cost and schedule trade-offs to obtain the *greatest amount of schedule compression* for the *least incremental cost* ex: employee works 1 full time week instead of 2 weeks part time

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critical chain scheduling

answer

a method of scheduling that takes *limited resources* into account when creating a project schedule and includes buffers to protect the project completion date

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critical path

answer

the series of activities in a network diagram that determines the *earliest completion* of the project; it is the *longest path* through the ND and has the least amount of slack or float

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critical path method (CPM) or critical path analysis

answer

a project network diagramming technique used to predict *total project duration*

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dependency

answer

the sequencing of project activities or tasks; also called a relationship

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discretionary dependencies

answer

the sequencing of project activities or tasks *defined by the project team* and used with care because they may limit later scheduling options

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dummy activities

answer

activities with *no duration and no resources* used to *show a logical relationship* between two activities in the arrow diagramming method of project network diagrams

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duration

answer

the actual amount of time worked on an activity plus elapsed time.

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early finish date

answer

the *earliest possible time an activity can finish* based on the project network logic

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early start date

answer

the *earliest possible time an activity can start* based on the project network logic

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effort

answer

the number of workdays or work hours required to complete a task

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external dependencies

answer

the sequencing of project activities or tasks that involve relationships between *project and non-project activities*

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fast tracking

answer

a schedule compression technique in which you *do activities in parallel* that you would normally do in sequence

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feeding buffers

answer

time added before tasks on the critical chain if they are preceded by other tasks that are not on the critical path

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finish to finish dependency

answer

a relationship on a project network diagram in which the "from" activity must be finished before the "to" activity can be finished

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finish to start dependency

answer

a relationship on a project network diagram in which the "from" activity must be finished before the "to" activity can be started

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forward pass

answer

a network diagramming technique that determines the early start date and early finish dates for each activity

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free slack (free float)

answer

the amount of time an activity can be delayed without delaying the *early start date* of any immediately following activities

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Gantt chart

answer

a standard format for displaying project schedule information by listing project activities and their corresponding start and finish dates in a *calendar format*; bar charts

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late finish date

answer

the latest possible time an activity can be completed without delaying the project finish date

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late start date

answer

the latest possible time an activity may begin without delaying the project finish date

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mandatory dependencies

answer

the sequencing of project activities or tasks that are inherent in the nature of the work being done on the project; considers unpredictive possibilties

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merge

answer

two or more nodes that precede a single node on a network diagram

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milstone

answer

a *significant event* that normally has no duration on a project; serves as a marker to help in identifying necessary activities, setting schedule goals and monitoring progress

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multitasking

answer

working on more than one task at a time

question

Murphy's law

answer

the principle that if something can go wrong, it will

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network diagram

answer

a schematic display of the logical relationships or sequencing of project activities

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node

answer

the starting and ending point of an activity on an activity-on-arrow diagram

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Parkinson's Law

answer

the principle that work expands to fill the time allowed

question

PERT weighted average

answer

(optimistic time + 4 * most likely time + pessimistic time)/6

question

precedence diagramming method (PDM)

answer

a network diagramming technique in which boxes represent activities

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probabilistic time estimates

answer

duration estimates based on using optimistic, most likely, and pessimistic estimates of activity durations instead of using one specific or discrete estimate

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Program Evaluation and Review Technique (PERT)

answer

a project network analysis technique used to estimate project duration when there is a *high degree of uncertainty* about the individual activity duration estimates

question

project buffer

answer

time added before the project's due date

question

project time management

answer

the processes required to ensure timely completion of a project

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resource breakdown structure

answer

a hierarchical structure that identifies the project's resources by category and type

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resources

answer

people, equipment and materials

question

schedule baseline

answer

the approved planned schedule for the project

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slack

answer

the amount of time a project activity may be delayed without delaying a succeeding activity or the project finish date; float

question

slipped milstone

answer

a milestone activity that is completed later than planned

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SMART criteria

answer

guidelines to help define milestones that are specific, measurable, assignable, realistic and time-framed

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start-to-finish dependency

answer

a relationship on a project network diagram in which the "from" activity cannot start before the "to" activity is finished

question

start to start dependency

answer

a relationship on a project network diagram in which the "from" activity cannot start until the "to" activity starts

question

task/activity

answer

an element of work normally found on the WBS that has an expected *duration, cost and resource requirements*

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Theory of Constraints (TOC)

answer

a management philosophy that any complex system at any point in time often has only one aspect or constraint that limits the ability to achieve more of the system's goal

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three-point estimate

answer

an estimate that includes an optimistic, most likely and pessimistic estimate

question

total slack (total float)

answer

the amount of time an activity may be delayed from its early start without delaying the planned project finish date

question

Tracking Gantt chart

answer

a Gantt chart that compares *planned and actual project schedule* information

question

actual cost (AC)

answer

the total of direct and indirect costs incurred in accomplishing work on an activity during a given period

question

analogous estimates

answer

a cost-estimating technique that uses the actual cost of a previous similar project as the basis for estimating the cost of the current project; top-down estimates

question

baseline

answer

the original project plan plus approved changes

question

bottom-up estimates

answer

a cost-estimating technique based on estimating individual work items and summing them to get a project total

question

budget at completion (BAC)

answer

the original total budget for a project

question

budgetary estimate

answer

a cost estimate used to allocate money into an organization's budget

question

cash flow analysis

answer

a method for determining the estimated annual costs and benefits for a project

question

contingency reserves

answer

dollar amounts included in a cost estimate to allow for future situations that may be *partially planned for* (sometimes called known unknowns) and that are included in the project cost baseline

question

cost baseline

answer

a time-phased budget that project managers use to measure and monitor cost performance

question

cost performance index (CPI)

answer

the ratio of earned value to actual cost; can be used to estimate the projected cost to complete the project

question

cost variance (CV)

answer

the earned value minus the actual cost

question

definitive estimate

answer

a cost estimate that provides an accurate estimate of a projects cost

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direct costs

answer

costs that can be directly related to creating the products and services of the project

question

earned value (EV)

answer

an estimate of the value of the physical work actually completed

question

earned value management (EVM)

answer

a project performance measurement technique that *integrates scope, time and cost data*

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estimate at completion (EAC)

answer

an estimate of what it will cost to complete the project based on performance to date

question

indirect costs

answer

costs that are not directly related to the products or services of the project, but are indirectly related to performing the project

question

intangible costs or benefits

answer

costs or benefits that are difficult to measure in monetary terms

question

learning curve theory

answer

a theory that when *many items are produced repetitively, the unit cost of those items normally decreases* in a regular pattern as more units are produced

question

life cycle costing

answer

the *total cost* of ownership, or development *plus support costs*, for a project

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management reserves

answer

dollar amounts included in a cost estimate to allow for future situations that are *unpredictable* (sometimes called unknown knowns)

question

overrun

answer

the additional percentage or dollar amount by which actual *costs exceed estimates*

question

parametric estimating

answer

a cost-estimating technique that uses project characteristics (parameters) in a mathematical model to estimate project costs

question

planned value (PV)

answer

the portion of the approved total cost estimate planned to be spent on an activity during a given period

question

profit margin

answer

the ratio between revenues and profits

question

profits

answer

revenues minus expenses

question

project cost management

answer

the processes required to ensure that the project is completed within the *approved budget*

question

rate of performance (RP)

answer

the ratio of actual work completed to the percentage of work planned to have been completed at any given time during the life of the project or activity

question

reserves

answer

dollar amounts included in a cost estimate to mitigate cost risk by allowing for future situations that are difficult to predict

question

rough order of magnitude (ROM) estimate

answer

a cost estimate prepared very early in the life of a project to provide a rough idea of what a project will cost

question

schedule performance index (SPI)

answer

the ratio of earned value to planned value; can be used to estimate the projected time to complete a project

question

schedule variance (SV)

answer

the earned value minus the planned value

question

sunk cost

answer

money that has been spent in the past

question

tangible costs or benefits

answer

costs or benefits that can be easily measured in dollars

question

5 whys

answer

a technique in which you repeatedly ask the question "Why?" to help peel away the layers of symptoms that can *lead to the root cause of a problem*

question

acceptance decisions

answer

decisions that determine if the products or services produced as part of the project will be accepted or rejected

question

appraisal cost

answer

the cost of evaluating processes and their outputs to ensure that a project is error-free or within an acceptable error range

question

Capability Maturity Model Integration (CMMI)

answer

a process improvement approach that provides organizations with the essential elements of effective processes

question

cause and effect diagram

answer

a diagram that traces complaints about quality programs back to the responsible production operations to help find the root cause; fishbone diagram or Ishikawa diagram

question

checksheet

answer

a technique used to collect and analyze data; tally sheet or checklist

question

conformance

answer

delivering products that meet requirements and fitness for all

question

conformance to requirements

answer

project processes and products that *meet written specifications*

question

control chart

answer

a graphic display of data that illustrates the results of a process over time

question

cost of nonconformance

answer

taking responsibility for failures or not meeting quality expectations

question

cost of quality

answer

the cost of conformance plus the cost of nonconformance

question

defect

answer

any instance in which the the product or service *fails to meet customer requirements*

question

design of experiments

answer

a quality technique that helps identify which variables have the most influence on the overall outcome of a process

question

DMAIC

answer

Define, measure, analyze, improve, control a systematic, closed-loop process for continued improvement that is scientific and fact based

question

external failure cost

answer

a cost related to all errors that are not detected and corrected before delivery to the customer

question

features

answer

the special characteristics that appeal to users

question

fitness for use

answer

a product that can be used as it was *intended*

question

flowchart

answer

a graphic display of the logic and flow of processes that helps you analyze how problems occur and how processes can be improved

question

functionality

answer

the degree to which a system performs its *intended function*

question

histogram

answer

a bar graph of a distribution of variables

question

integration testing

answer

testing that occurs between unit and system testing to test functionally *grouped components* and ensure that a subset or subsets of the entire system work together

question

internal failure cost

answer

a cost incurred to correct an identified defect *before* the customer receives the product

question

ISO 9000

answer

A quality system standard developed by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) that includes a three-part, continuous cycle of planning, controlling and documenting quality in an org

question

kaizen

answer

the Japanese word for *improvement* or change for the better; an approach used for continuously improving quality in orgs

question

lean

answer

an approach for improving quality that involves evaluating processes to *maximize customer value* while *minimizing waste*

question

maintainability

answer

the ease of performing maintenance on a product

question

Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award

answer

an award started in 1987 to recognize companies that have achieved a level of word-class competition through quality management

question

maturity model

answer

a framework for helping organizations improve their processes and systems

question

mean

answer

average value of the population

question

measurement and test equipment costs

answer

the capital cost of equipment used to perform prevention and appraisal activities

question

metric

answer

a standard of measurement

question

normal distribution

answer

bell-shaped curve that is symmetrical about the mean of the population

question

Pareto analysis

answer

identifying the vital few contributors that account for most quality problems in a system

question

Pareto chart

answer

histogram that helps identify and prioritize problem areas

question

performance

answer

how well a product or service *performs the customer's intended use*

question

prevention cost

answer

the cost of planning and executing a project so that it is error-free or within an acceptable error range

question

process adjustments

answer

adjustments made to correct or prevent further quality problems based on quality control measurements

question

project quality management

answer

ensuring that a project will satisfy the *needs for which it was undertaken*

question

quality

answer

the totality of characteristic of an entity that bear on its ability to satisfy stated or implied needs or the degree to which a set of inherent characteristics fulfill requirements

question

quality assurance

answer

periodic evaluation of overall project performance to ensure that the project will satisfy the relevant quality standards

question

quality audit

answer

a *structured review* of specific quality management activities that helps identify lessons learned and that can improve performance on current or future projects

question

quality circles

answer

groups of nonsupervisors and work leaders in a single company department who volunteer to conduct group studies on how to improve the effectiveness of work in their department

question

quality control

answer

monitoring specific project results to ensure that they comply with the relevant quality standards and identifying ways to improve overall quality

question

reliability

answer

the ability of a product or service to *perform as expected under normal conditions*

question

rework

answer

action taken to *bring rejected items into compliance* with product requirements, specifications or other stakeholder expectations

question

Robust Design Methods

answer

methods that focus on eliminating defects by substituting scientific inquiry for trial and error methods.

question

run chart

answer

a chart that displays the history and pattern of variation of a process over time

question

scatter diagram

answer

a diagram that helps to show if their is a relationship between two variables; XY charts

question

seven run rule

answer

if seven data points in a row on a quality control chart are all below the mean, above the mean or all increasing or decreasing, then the process needs to be examined for *nonrandom problems*

question

six 9s of quality

answer

a measure of quality control equal to 1 fault in 1 million opportunities

question

Six Sigma

answer

a comprehensive and flexible system for achieving, sustaining, and maximizing business success that is uniquely driven by close understanding of customer needs, disciplined use of facts, data and statistical analysis, and diligent attention to managing, improving and reinventing business processes

question

standard deviation

answer

measure of how much variation exists in a distribution of data

question

statistical sampling

answer

choosing part of a population of interest for inspection

question

system outputs

answer

the screens and reports the system generates

question

system testing

answer

testing the entire system as one entity to ensure that it is working properly

question

unit test

answer

a test of each individual component (often a program) to ensure that it is as defect free as possible

question

user acceptance testing

answer

an independent test performed by end users prior to accepting the delivered system

question

yield

answer

the number of units handled correctly through the development process

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