CHAP13

Project goal setting includes setting a baseline plan, which is predicated on:

• the progress measurement.

• an accurate work breakdown structure.

• the type of gap analysis the project team plans to use.

• the budget and schedule limitations.

Measurement mechanisms should include a clear definition of:

• the project baseline.

• the reporting relationships among members of the project team.

• what to measure.

• trigger points.

A measurement process that determines the project goals and then the degree to which the actual performance lives up to these goals is:

• a metric system.

• goal-performance linkage.

• five degrees of separation.

• gap analysis.

If significant deviations from the project plan are detected, corrective action is taken and then:

• the monitoring and control cycle begins anew.

• project goals are adjusted to reflect current reality.

• the project stakeholders are informed of the budget or time difficulties.

• the critical chain is reviewed for task dependency.

A project manager that uses milestones as a project control device is using a(n):

• proactive control system.

• predictive control system.

• feedback control system.

• reactive control system.

An excellent way to coordinate schedules with vendors and suppliers is through the use of:

• milestones.

• S-curves that plot expenditures against time.

• S-curves that plot planned expenditures against time.

• a tracking Gantt chart.

Milestones are generally considered to be:

• demotivators for the project team.

• key project review gates.

• the end of the project for all team members except the project manager.

• points where two or more activities merge.

A tracking Gantt chart:

• monitors costs and budget expenditures.

• identifies key points in the project's progress.

• identifies the stage of completion for each task.

• identifies the performance to budget for the overall project by a certain date.

How does a tracking Gantt chart's appearance differ from a standard Gantt chart?

• The tracking Gantt chart has a plot against time on the X1 axis and shows progress against budget on the X2 axis.

• The tracking Gantt chart is composed of dollar signs that show the relative expense of the activity in comparison with other activities.

• Each bar in the tracking Gantt chart shows who is responsible for completion of the activity in question.

• Each bar in the tracking Gantt chart varies from 100% solid if the activity is completed to 100% alternative pattern if the activity has not begun.

A tracking Gantt chart does NOT show:

• the reason an activity has slipped.

• which activities are ahead of schedule.

• which activities are on schedule.

• which activities are behind schedule.