Page 170 - DCAP304_DCAP515_SOFTWARE_PROJECT_MANAGEMENT

Software Project Management

Notes  What you will now have to do is adjust and readjust the critical path.
 This is known as schedule compression. Management reserve allows a project manager to
use percentages to see how the overall project is coming along.

8.7 Keywords

A Project Network Diagram: A Network Planning Model is a pictorial representation of the
sequence in which the project work can be done. The whole idea here is look at your work
visually and think about in what order (sequence) the work needs to occur.
Gantt Chart: The Gantt chart is the older of the two and is used effectively in simple, short-
duration types of projects.

Network Diagram: The network diagram provides a visual layout of the sequence in which
project work flows.
Dependency: A dependency is simply a relationship that exists between pairs of activities. To say
that activity B depends on activity A means that activity A produces a deliverable that is needed
in order to do the work associated with activity B.
Critical Path: The sequence of activities that determine the project completion date is called the
critical path.

Fast tracking: This method allows activities to be done in parallel that would normally be done
in sequence.
Crashing: Crashing allow the project manager to add more resources to effort-driven activities
in an attempt to shorten their duration.
Lead time: Lead time is negative time. It brings activities closer together—even allowing them
to overlap.

Lag time: Lag time is waiting time.
Management Reserve: Management reserve allows a project manager to use percentages to see
how the overall project is coming along. For example, if the project is only 40 per cent complete
but the management reserve is 65 per cent used, then the project is in trouble if the remaining
tasks follow the trend of the project thus far.
8.8 Review Questions

1. What is a Project Network Diagram?
2. Why do we create a Gantt chart and a network diagram?
3. What are the drawbacks in using the Gantt chart?
4. Explain how a network diagram can be used as a tool for analyzing scheduling alternatives.

5. How do you build a Network Diagram using the Precedence Diagramming Method?
6. What do you understand by dependencies? Explain the different types of activity
dependencies.

7. What is the relation between a dependency and a constraint?
8. What is Lag Variable?
9. How do you create an initial project schedule?

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