Page 34 - DCAP304_DCAP515_SOFTWARE_PROJECT_MANAGEMENT

Software Project Management

Notes milestone deadlines at the times they are changed, i.e. when they are delayed or advanced. This
way one gets a matrix of data: the columns of the matrix delimit the project milestones, the rows
the dates on which the deadlines were reevaluated, as an actual cell contains the new deadline
estimate for the milestone in question. Of course, one can really enhance insight in these data by
using some simple visualization techniques. This can be done by plotting the estimated deadlines
against the dates on which they were evaluated. The latter are generally placed on the X-axis, the
former on the Y-axis. The evolution of a project milestone deadline is thus observable as a curve
on the graph: downward movement of the curve signifies that the deadline in question was
advanced, while upward movement means postponement. One can also easily spot milestone
completion: this is the case when the curve intersects the line y = x. The general shape of the
graph is often approximately triangular: this is the result of the fact that we stop plotting a curve
when the milestone in question has reached completion, i.e. when it intersects with the angular
bisector of the first quadrant.
An example of a typical MTA chart can be seen in figure 1.4.

Application Area

MTA can be applied to each project that utilizes milestones as the major indicators of progress.
It is in essence a very simple and graceful technique that can easily be applied to assess progress.
Of course, MTA is an evaluation technique that is to be used during the execution of a project. Its
main uses are avoiding and correcting schedule slippage, and post-mortem schedule evaluation.

Advantages

 MTA is a simple, elegant and effectual technique.

 MTA is extensively used and supported.
 MTA has a big application area.

Disadvantages

 MTA in itself does not keep track of inter-package addiction. Therefore, when a certain
milestone completion date is altered, one need to make sure its dependencies is altered as
well. This does not prove to be much of a problem in practice though, since MTA is
available as a plug-in for more complete project management tools that can keep track of
dependencies.

 The inputs of the MTA method are of course estimates of milestone completion targets. As
such, it is essential these estimates are made by knowledgeable and experienced engineers.
MTA will not be of much use if these estimates are not sensibly accurate.

Usage in Methodologies

As declared above, the only prerequisite is that the project under study uses milestones. MTA
does not impose any further restrictions on the process model and can help to explain progress
assessment in almost any project.

Tools

An MTA plugin for the well-known Microsoft Project management tool is obtainable.

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