1. Jesse wants me to investigate GanttProject software to determine whether it
would be suitable for SCR. She asked me to prepare a summary of pros and
cons, and a sample of screen shots and information.
Pros Cons
Cons
Easy Installation
Need Creately or well written plans
Easily visualize status of project
Needs to be updated as events change
Produces accurate timeframe
Amount of work is not show by bars
Break down project structure
Can be difficult
Shows how team members work
Schedules tasks
Helps set realistic schedules
2. Jesse likes the idea of using task completion estimates with best-case,
probable-case, and worst-case estimates. She said that I should use typical formulas
and weight values to create a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet that would make it easier to
calculate expected task durations.
Best-case estimate (B)= 1, probable-case estimate (P)=4, worse-case estimate
(W)=1
(B + 4P + W) ÷ 6 = Task Duration
2. To practice my skills, Jesse asked me to create an imaginary project with at
least 12 tasks, which include dependent, multiple predecessors, and multiple
successor tasks. She wants me to create a list showing the tasks and
dependencies, and patterns. She also needs to know the duration, start, and
finish for each task. She said to use my best guess regarding duration, and
we could adjust it later.
Task
No.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
Description
Reserve Meeting area
Order Lunch & Material
Brief Supervisor
Send Meeting Email/
Calendar
Arrange Power Point
Email
Plans/Project/Update/New
Hires
Conduct Meeting
Obtain Hiring
Authorization
Arrange Interviews
Conduct Interviews
Hire
Train
Duration Dependent
(Day)
1
1
2
1
2
1
3
3
Predecessor Successor
2
2
4
5
No. 1 &2
No. 7
6-9
10-13
13-1617-20
No. 8
No. 9
No. 10
No. 11
4. Jesse wants me to prepare a brief handout for the other team members with
some do’s and don’ts regarding project management. She wants me to include at least
image. She suggested either a screenshot or a drawing that would show some aspect
of project planning.
The Project Manager Duties with Do’s and Don’ts
Project Managers to dos are done by performing four activities: Planning, scheduling,
monitoring, and reporting.
Project Planning includes identifying all project tasks and estimating the completion
time and cost of each project, to make the whole process easier.
Project scheduling involves the creation of a specific timetable, usually in the form of
charts that show tasks, task dependencies, and critical tasks that might delay the
project. Scheduling also involves selecting and staffing the project team and assigning
specific tasks to team members by using Gantt charts and PERT/CPM charts, which are
used to present project overviews by analyzing and breaking them down into individual
small projects that can be assigned accordingly.
Project monitoring requires monitoring and evaluating by guiding, supervising,
coordinating the project team’s workload and taking corrective action when necessary to
control the project and stay on target.
Project reporting includes regular progress reports to management, users, and the
project team itself. Effective reporting requires strong communication skills and a sense
of what others want and need to know about the project in order to make the whole
process easier.
Project Managers do not begin team projects or meetings without a detailed plan by
using written and charts and reviewing status, issues, problems or opportunities.
Do not hesitate to inform supervisor of issues, delays, needs for experience, time
constraints, necessary changes, or any needs to keep the project completion in time
frame.
Do not hesitate to reassign the duties when necessary