Comp445 Software Process and Project Management Assignment

COMP 445
Software Process and Project Management

Assignment 1
2012-2013, Term 1
Due date: Nov. 6

Total Mark: 50
Submit a hardcopy of your assignment in Class

Question 1
(a) Identify 3 problems with estimating effort too early in the project.

(3 marks)

(b) Identify 3 ways that you can overcome these problems if you are asked to do early estimation? (6 marks)

Question 2
The table below shows the dependency of activities in a project.
Activity

Duration

Dependent on

A

3

None

C

3

None

B

2

A

D

5

C

E

2

None

F

4

E

G

3

D, F

H

1

D, F

I

2

B, G

R

0

H, I

(a) Identify the critical path.

(3 marks)

(b) What is the float of activity B?

(2 marks)

(c) What is the float of activity H?

(2 marks)

(d) Why is it important to determine the critical path of a project? What happens if activities on this path are delayed? What happens if activities on this path are accelerated?
(6 marks)
You may use MS Project or other project management tool.

In fairness to others, late assignment will be deducted 5% per day.

1

Question 3

(3 marks)

The critical chain method claims to provide great improvement over critical path analysis
(CPA). Explain three of its key advantages over CPA.

Question 4

(10 marks)

Select an open source Project Management tool. Identify 10 key functions of this tool and explain how these functions help with project management.

Question 5

(11 marks)

Select the best answers:
(a) You have just taken control of a project in the middle of execution and need to learn who has approval authority for revisions in scope. Which document provides this information?
a. Resource assignment matrix
b. Configuration management plan
c. Project charter
d. Organization chart
(b) What is the purpose of the WBS?
a. To show which work elements have been assigned to organizational units
b. To ensure that all work