Project Planning & Scheduling Flashcards

What is the primary purpose of project planning?

Answer: To define scope, schedule, and resources for successful execution

Project planning is the foundational phase where the project's objectives are clearly defined, and a detailed roadmap is created. This involves outlining the project scope, establishing a realistic schedule, and allocating necessary resources to ensure the project can be executed effectively and achieve its goals.

Which tool is most commonly used for scheduling project tasks?

Answer: Gantt chart

A Gantt chart is a visual project management tool widely used for scheduling tasks and tracking progress over time. It displays project activities against a timeline, showing start and end dates, dependencies, and overall project duration, making it easy to visualize and manage the project schedule.

What is a Work Breakdown Structure (WBS)?

Answer: A hierarchical breakdown of project deliverables

A Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) is a fundamental project management tool that decomposes the project's total scope into smaller, more manageable components. It organizes the project's deliverables and work into a hierarchical structure, providing a clear framework for planning, executing, and controlling the project.

What is the critical path in project scheduling?

Answer: The sequence of tasks with zero float that dictates project duration

The critical path is the longest sequence of activities in a project schedule that must be completed on time for the project to finish by its due date. Any delay to a task on the critical path will directly delay the entire project, as these tasks have zero float (slack).

Which activity comes first in the planning phase?

Answer: Define project scope

Defining the project scope is the crucial first step in the planning phase because it establishes what the project will and will not include. A clear scope provides a foundation for all subsequent planning activities, such as scheduling, resource allocation, and budgeting, preventing misunderstandings and scope creep.

What does a milestone represent in project scheduling?

Answer: A major achievement or project checkpoint

A milestone in project scheduling represents a significant point or event in the project timeline, such as the completion of a major phase or a key deliverable. Milestones are used to track progress, signal important achievements, and serve as checkpoints for stakeholders to review project status.

What does resource leveling do in scheduling?

Answer: Balance resource usage and avoid conflicts

Resource leveling is a technique used in project management to optimize the allocation of resources by adjusting activity start and finish dates. Its primary goal is to smooth out peaks and valleys in resource demand, preventing overallocation and conflicts, and ensuring resources are utilized efficiently.

Which method calculates project time estimates using three scenarios?

Answer: PERT (Program Evaluation and Review Technique)

PERT (Program Evaluation and Review Technique) is a method used to estimate project activity durations by considering three different time estimates: optimistic, pessimistic, and most likely. This approach helps to account for uncertainty and provides a more realistic and weighted average for task completion times.

What is schedule compression?

Answer: Shortening the project timeline using specific techniques

Schedule compression refers to techniques used to shorten the project schedule duration without reducing the project scope. Common techniques include crashing (adding resources) and fast-tracking (performing activities in parallel), often employed when project deadlines are tight or need to be accelerated.