WGU C722: Project Management Methods and Practices –
Module 15
PERT (Project Evaluation & Review Technique) - correct answer ✔✔(PERT) was developed in the 1950s to
support the U.S. Navy's Polaris missile project. PERT is used to estimate activity duration times. It uses a
statistical approach to estimate the time that will be required to complete project work activities. PERT
techniques are recommended by PMBOK when estimating activity duration times that vary.
CPM (Critical Path Method) - correct answer ✔✔Developed for the Dupont Corporation to estimate
activity time durations, this method assumes time can be reliably estimated.
CCPM (Critical Chain Project Management) - correct answer ✔✔CCPM applies the theory of constraints
logic to project management by recognizing that the project can only be completed if the resource
(person, machine, capital, etc.) capacity is available. In CCPM, the work each resource is expected to
complete is checked to verify that the resource will be capable and available when needed. Time buffers
are built into the schedule to handle situations when the critical resources fall behind or aren't available.
Focuses on managing the uncertainties of a project and builds buffers into the schedule to prevent key
activities from failing.
Waterfall Method - correct answer ✔✔The Waterfall method is a traditional practice which found its
best use in software and hardware development. In this method, the project work flows downward like
water falling over a ledge. The initial programs are designed by software developers and then handed
over to programmers to create the computer code. The programmers then hand the completed code to
the quality control analysts who then test the code and turn it over to the customer for acceptance
testing. This process flows logically and in a linear fashion, but if any problems are found, returning the
work back to the previous step is very expensive - much like the difficulty of swimming back up a
waterfall. This method organizes project tasks into linear workflows.
PRINCE2 - correct answer ✔✔Projects in controlled environments (PRINCE2Ⓣ) is a highly structured
project management method which focuses on the specification of the outputs rather than the
coordination of activities (PMBOK). PRINCE2 includes very specific processes and terminology to ensure
that all project participants understand the work. PRINCE2 has received wide acceptance in the
European Union and other regions of the world. Focuses on the specification of outputs, including very
specific processes and terminology.
, Complexity in PM - correct answer ✔✔The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines "complex" as "a whole
made up of complicated or interrelated parts." That definition is well-suited for project management
where many parts contribute to the project outcomes and the outcome itself may be many complicated
and/or interrelated parts. The level of comlexity needs to be considered when selecting an appropriate
project management method.
Uncertainty in PM - correct answer ✔✔The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines uncertain as "not
exactly known or defined." This uncertainty can come into project management with regard to the
desired outcome or the technologies and processes that will be used to generate the outcome. It may
initially seem hard to conceive, but in reality the customer is often unable to fully define the desired
project outcome in advance. EXAMPLE Have you ever gone to the store with the intent to purchase
something but when you got there, there were options that you had not considered? Such is the case in
project management. The customer may provide a specific project scope at project initiation, but only
during project execution do they realize the full range of functionality that they should have requested.
Project Processes (5 steps) - correct answer ✔✔The project life cycle, introduced earlier in this course,
provided a high-level view of the work that needs to be done in order to complete a project. The five
steps are logical groups of processes which outline what must occur in order to manage the project.
Initiating, Planning, Excecuting, Monitoring and Controlling, Closing.
Intiating - correct answer ✔✔The processes completed during the Initiating include:
*Documenting the business need for the project and what problem the project will solve. * Defining the
project * Evaluating the project proposals * Completing the project selection * Identifying major
stakeholders * Creating the project charter
The processes involved with initiating define the project and determine which projects the organization
will undertake. These activities often occur prior to the selection of the project team or the project
manager.The project evaluation methods discussed earlier are completed as part of the initiating
process. These preliminary steps are important since they will set the trajectory for the project. If the
project is not clearly defined and developed to satisfy a specific business need then the project may not
reach a successful conclusion. When the initiating processes are completed, if the project is approved to
move forward, the project charter is issued and signed by the project sponsor.
Planning - correct answer ✔✔The process completed during the planning include:
* Documenting all customer requirements and deliverables
* Estimating resources needed * Finalizing the project scope * Finalizing the project budget * Finalizing
the project schedule * Creating the Work Breakdown Structure * Creating the network diagram *
Creating the activity list * Writing the plan for specific areas (quality, communications, human resources,
Module 15
PERT (Project Evaluation & Review Technique) - correct answer ✔✔(PERT) was developed in the 1950s to
support the U.S. Navy's Polaris missile project. PERT is used to estimate activity duration times. It uses a
statistical approach to estimate the time that will be required to complete project work activities. PERT
techniques are recommended by PMBOK when estimating activity duration times that vary.
CPM (Critical Path Method) - correct answer ✔✔Developed for the Dupont Corporation to estimate
activity time durations, this method assumes time can be reliably estimated.
CCPM (Critical Chain Project Management) - correct answer ✔✔CCPM applies the theory of constraints
logic to project management by recognizing that the project can only be completed if the resource
(person, machine, capital, etc.) capacity is available. In CCPM, the work each resource is expected to
complete is checked to verify that the resource will be capable and available when needed. Time buffers
are built into the schedule to handle situations when the critical resources fall behind or aren't available.
Focuses on managing the uncertainties of a project and builds buffers into the schedule to prevent key
activities from failing.
Waterfall Method - correct answer ✔✔The Waterfall method is a traditional practice which found its
best use in software and hardware development. In this method, the project work flows downward like
water falling over a ledge. The initial programs are designed by software developers and then handed
over to programmers to create the computer code. The programmers then hand the completed code to
the quality control analysts who then test the code and turn it over to the customer for acceptance
testing. This process flows logically and in a linear fashion, but if any problems are found, returning the
work back to the previous step is very expensive - much like the difficulty of swimming back up a
waterfall. This method organizes project tasks into linear workflows.
PRINCE2 - correct answer ✔✔Projects in controlled environments (PRINCE2Ⓣ) is a highly structured
project management method which focuses on the specification of the outputs rather than the
coordination of activities (PMBOK). PRINCE2 includes very specific processes and terminology to ensure
that all project participants understand the work. PRINCE2 has received wide acceptance in the
European Union and other regions of the world. Focuses on the specification of outputs, including very
specific processes and terminology.
, Complexity in PM - correct answer ✔✔The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines "complex" as "a whole
made up of complicated or interrelated parts." That definition is well-suited for project management
where many parts contribute to the project outcomes and the outcome itself may be many complicated
and/or interrelated parts. The level of comlexity needs to be considered when selecting an appropriate
project management method.
Uncertainty in PM - correct answer ✔✔The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines uncertain as "not
exactly known or defined." This uncertainty can come into project management with regard to the
desired outcome or the technologies and processes that will be used to generate the outcome. It may
initially seem hard to conceive, but in reality the customer is often unable to fully define the desired
project outcome in advance. EXAMPLE Have you ever gone to the store with the intent to purchase
something but when you got there, there were options that you had not considered? Such is the case in
project management. The customer may provide a specific project scope at project initiation, but only
during project execution do they realize the full range of functionality that they should have requested.
Project Processes (5 steps) - correct answer ✔✔The project life cycle, introduced earlier in this course,
provided a high-level view of the work that needs to be done in order to complete a project. The five
steps are logical groups of processes which outline what must occur in order to manage the project.
Initiating, Planning, Excecuting, Monitoring and Controlling, Closing.
Intiating - correct answer ✔✔The processes completed during the Initiating include:
*Documenting the business need for the project and what problem the project will solve. * Defining the
project * Evaluating the project proposals * Completing the project selection * Identifying major
stakeholders * Creating the project charter
The processes involved with initiating define the project and determine which projects the organization
will undertake. These activities often occur prior to the selection of the project team or the project
manager.The project evaluation methods discussed earlier are completed as part of the initiating
process. These preliminary steps are important since they will set the trajectory for the project. If the
project is not clearly defined and developed to satisfy a specific business need then the project may not
reach a successful conclusion. When the initiating processes are completed, if the project is approved to
move forward, the project charter is issued and signed by the project sponsor.
Planning - correct answer ✔✔The process completed during the planning include:
* Documenting all customer requirements and deliverables
* Estimating resources needed * Finalizing the project scope * Finalizing the project budget * Finalizing
the project schedule * Creating the Work Breakdown Structure * Creating the network diagram *
Creating the activity list * Writing the plan for specific areas (quality, communications, human resources,
