Assessment

Task 1
Manage project time
BSBPMG531

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Task 1 – Knowledge Questionnaire

Task summary and instructions

What is this This assessment is a written questionnaire with a mix of objective and
assessment task subjective questions.
about?
The questionnaire is designed to meet the knowledge required to
meet the unit requirements safely and effectively.

The questions focus on the knowledge evidence required for this unit
of competency:

• estimation techniques to determine task duration and resource

effort
• procedures for identifying critical path
• procedures for managing project baselines, establishment and
variance
• project life cycle phases
• best-practice time management methodologies, their capabilities,
limitations, applications and outcomes
• key tools for project scheduling
• work breakdown structures and how they apply to project
schedules.

Your assessor will be looking for demonstrated evidence of your

ability to answer the questions satisfactorily, follow instructions,
conduct online research and review real or simulated business
documentation as instructed.
What do I need to do • submit your answers to the questions within the set timeframe,
to complete this task • answer all questions as instructed,
satisfactorily? • answer all questions using your own words and reference any
sources appropriately,
• all questions must be answered satisfactorily.

It is advisable to:

• review the questions carefully,

 • answer the questions using online research and the learning
material provided for the unit and by reviewing real or simulated
relevant business documentation (such as policies and
procedures),
• further research the topics addressed in each question.

Specifications You must submit to GOALS the

• assessment coversheet,
• answers to all questions,
• references.

Resources and • computer with Internet access,

equipment • access to Microsoft Office suites or similar software,
• learning material.
Re-submission You will be provided feedback on your performance by the Assessor.
opportunities The feedback will indicate if you have satisfactorily addressed the
requirements of each part of this task. If any parts of the task are not
satisfactorily completed, the assessor will explain why, and provide
you with written feedback along with guidance on what you must
undertake to demonstrate satisfactory performance. Re-assessment
attempt(s) will be arranged at a later time and date. You have the
right to appeal the outcome of assessment decisions if you feel that
you have been dealt with unfairly or have other appropriate grounds
for an appeal. You are encouraged to consult with the assessor prior
to attempting this task if you do not understand any part of this task
or if you have any learning issues or needs that may hinder you when
attempting any part of the task.

Answer all the questions below:

Question 1

Explain each of the following estimating techniques and how each can be used to
determine task duration and resource effort within a project.
Estimating techniques Explanation (40-80 words/estimating technique)
Analogous Estimating The analogous estimation technique uses information
from similar projects to establish a cost estimate based on
on available data. The analogous estimate needed
Includes expert review for setup
reusability of data. The analogous estimate is used
where there is limited information about the project.
Parametric Model Estimating Parametric estimating, a more accurate technique for
estimating cost and duration, uses the relationship
between variables to calculate the cost or duration.
Essentially, a parametric estimate is determined by identifying the
unit cost or duration and the number of
units required for the project or activity.The
 measurement must be scalable in order to be accurate.
3 Point Estimating is a technique that uses optimistic and pessimistic estimates to
determine ideal estimated value for a project task.
The three-point estimation technique used in
Information and management system application for
the construction of an approximate probability
distribution represents the outcome of future events,
based on very limited information. When
the distribution used for estimation can be a
normally distributed, this is not always the case, and for
for example a triangular distribution can be used,
depending on the application.
Expert Judgment Estimating Expert Judgment is a technique in which judgment is
provided based upon a specific set of criteria or
expertise that has been acquired in a specific
knowledge area, application area, or product area, a
particular discipline, an industry, etc. Such expertise
may be provided by any group or person with
specialized education, knowledge, skill, experience, or
training. This knowledge base can be provided by a
member of the project team, or multiple members of
the project team, or by a team leader or team leaders.
However, typically expert judgment requires an
expertise that is not present within the project team
and, as such, it is common for an external group or
person with a specific relevant skill set or knowledge
base to be brought in for a consultation.
Reserve Analysis Reserve analysis is a special
analytical techniques are used for the purposes
complete and thorough identification of
the full range of specific and precise features and or in
multiple relationship instances of all individual projects
related components currently exist as part of
predefined project management plan.
The purpose of making and performing a
reserve analysis is the establishment of an estimate
reserves can be used for purposes
set schedule duration, any and all estimated
expenses, budget, as well as the entire fund
assigned or allocated to the project.
Bottom-Up Analysis This analysis seeks to identify profitable opportunities
through the idiosyncrasies of a company’s attributes
and its valuations in comparison to the market.
Invest from the bottom up start research at the company
level but don't stop there. These analyzes weigh
the fundamentals of the company but also look at
industry and microeconomic factors. So,
bottom-up investment can be a bit wide on one
whole industry or laser focus to identify the key
properties.
Question 2

Describe the critical path of a project and explain the steps used to identify it using
the Critical Path Method.
(50-100 words)

The key roadmap covers the longest sequence of activities from the start of the project to
end that must be completed to ensure the project is finished by a certain time. NS
activities on the critical road must be managed very closely. If work on the important road
slip, take immediate action to get the project back on track. Otherwise, the whole
The project may be delayed.
Step 1: define the task
You should find out what tasks to include in your project and describe the problem
structure your work. To do this, talk to stakeholders to get an idea of what the project will be
requirements and what the products are delivered. Then you can define the tasks that need to
completed to complete the project.
Step 2: Set up dependencies
Some operations will depend on the performance of others. List immediately
The predecessor of each operation will help determine the correct order.
Step 3: Draw the network diagram
Once you have identified the activities and their dependencies, you can derive
critical path analysis (CPA) graph, known as a network diagram. Network diagram
is a visual representation of the order of your operations based on dependencies.
Step 4: Estimate the time to complete the activity
Using past experience or the knowledge of an experienced team member, you must
Now estimate the time required to complete each activity. If you are managing a
smaller project, you will most likely estimate time in days. If you are working with a
complex projects, you may have to measure time in weeks.
Step 5: Identify the important path
There are two ways you can now define the key path. You can eyeball your net
diagram and simply determine the longest path in the whole network - the longest
sequence of operations on the path. Make sure to look for the longest path in terms of longest
duration in days, not the path with the most boxes or buttons. You can also
identify critical operations with the Forward Pass / Backward Pass technique, identify
earliest start and end times as well as the latest start and end times for each activity.
Step 6: Update Critical Path Map to show progress
As the project progresses, you will know the actual completion time of the activity.
The network diagram can then be updated to include this information. By updating
network map when new information comes in, you can recalculate a
road. You will also have a more realistic view of project completion dates and
will be able to tell if you are on the right track or falling behind.

Question 3

Explain the concept of a project baseline, the procedures for establishing project
baselines and how to manage adjustments to a project baseline due to a major
change to project scope, cost or schedule.
(80-120 words)

The project management baseline is a fixed standard against which to measure and compare
progress of your project. This allows to evaluate the performance of the project
overtime. A project baseline typically has three components: schedule, cost, and
limit. These three baselines are typically monitored, controlled, and reported separately
make sure each is on the right track. When fully integrated, it can be called a performance
measurement baseline (PMB).
Once the schedule has been fully developed, the project management team will create
base scheduler and accept it. This timeline provides the start and end dates of the project,
identify the critical path and provide a fixed point at which project performance can
measured. The established critical path may change throughout the project due to
finish the task early or late. Usually, multiple baselines can be created
depending on the scope of the work or potential or unspecified conditions that may
significant change to the original schedule baseline where measurement is not possible
changes. Need schedule control to ensure that project progress is up to date
when events require it. Typically, such a review period will occur at milestones,
personnel changes affecting the program, such as key personnel, products
complete, and complete the project. A schedule control system can be used to
manage such changes and facilitate tracking of changes,
approval process and to do so considering the conditions of change requests,
reasons, costs and risks of these changes. Change of schedule can also be due to poor
performance, this is necessary to monitor through performance review review
actual start and end dates, percentage completed, and duration remaining. A part of
The project management process is to determine when corrective actions may be required
depending on the overall impact of poor performance on an activity.

Question 4

Summarise the project life cycle phases and describe each phase.
Project phase Summary and description (40-80 words/phase)
Initiation Identify a business need, problem, or opportunity and
brainstorm ways you can meet this need, solve this
problem, or take advantage of this opportunity. During
this step, you must determine an objective for your
project, conclude if the project is feasible, and identify
the main deliverables for the project.
Planning During this phase of the project management life cycle,
you break down larger projects into smaller tasks,
Build your team and prepare the schedule for
complete the exercises. Create smaller goals in
larger projects, ensuring that each is achievable
within the time frame. Smaller goals should have
potential for success
Implementation (execution) The execution phase turns your plan into action. The
project manager’s job in this phase of the project

Closing (finalisation)
Question 5
Select and explain three best-practice time management methodologies. For each,
summarise their capabilities, limitations, applications and outcomes.
Best-practice time
management methodologies
Critical Path Method
Pert
Waterfall
management life cycle is to keep work on track,
organize team members, manage timelines, and make
sure the work is done according to the original plan.
In the closing phase, you deliver the final product,
release project resources and determine the success of
project. Just because the work on the big project is over,
that doesn't mean the project manager's job is done—
there is still important work to do, including
evaluate what worked and didn't work for the project.
Explanation and summary of capabilities, limitations,
applications and outcomes. (50-100 words/best
practice)
The critical path method is a technique used in
estimating and monitoring a project’s overall duration.
When a project is broken down into tasks, each is given
an estimated duration.
Those tasks are then organized into an order for
delivery based on logic and any dependencies. Adding
up the duration of the longest sequence of tasks gives
an estimate of the overall project duration.
During project execution, if any of those tasks are
delayed, the project’s estimated duration will also be
exceeded.
Program Evaluation and Review Techniques (PERT) are
Another way to estimate the overall duration of a project.
It is different from the Critical Path Method because it does not
focus only on the duration of the critical path but also
relationships between project tasks.
PERT shows project tasks organized like a
flowcharts than sequential events.
Is a structured and linear approach to organizing and
control projects.
With Waterfall project management, the entire scope of
The project must be defined and agreed at
the beginning of the project. Some of the difficulties it presents
is that it is not flexible enough to deal with
volatile and uncertain environment in which most
projects currently being delivered. But Waterfall has
benefits. Predetermine the expected outcome
project clarity and simplify project planning. It
It is also easy to track whether the project is on track or not.
That makes it good for more stable projects
the environment needs to commit to a
schedule or budget, such as large infrastructure
the projects.
Question 6

Summarise the following key tools for project scheduling.

Schedule Network Analysis
Schedule Network Analysis
Critical Path Analysis
Schedule Compression
A Schedule Network Analysis is a graphical
representation of a schedule showing each sequenced
activity and the time it takes to finish each one. It’s
used to identify early and late start dates, as well as early and late
finish dates, for the uncompleted
portions of project schedule activities. This analysis also
helps determine the Critical Path, What-if Analysis, and
Schedule Compression. It’s usually represented in the
form of a Gantt Chart or PERT Chart.
Critical path analysis (CPA) is a project management
technique that requires mapping out every key task
that is necessary to complete a project. It includes
identifying the amount of time necessary to finish each
activity and the dependencies of each activity on any
others.
Schedule compression is a technique used in the project
managed to shorten a
schedule. This can be done in response to an update
delivery date, a new opportunity, or a schedule delay.
It is executed without changing the scope of the program.

Question 7

Explain how a work breakdown structure is used to create project schedules (50-
100 words).

A Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) identifies tasks and deliverables associated with a
project. Resources are identified for each item within the WBS that facilitates budgeting
as well as assignment of responsibilities. The WBS can be used to determine the critical
path of the project and create the project schedule.
Project activities in which WBS and schedules are useful:
Drafts are created during the project definition phase of the project then details
are flushed out during the planning phase. The WBS and schedules are
continuously revisited and updated through the duration of the project.