SPLASH Marketing, Inc.
Project Management Manual
Section 2: Project Planning Tools
Along with the project overview, work assignments, and budget, a project management tool is an essential part of the project portfolio. Using the appropriate project management tool facilitates tracking progress and presenting workplan status reports for regular review by all members of the project team. Three popular and helpful tools are described below.
A Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) is a ranked format that breaks projects down into measurable and controllable activities. Breaking down tasks into their smallest logical components, phases, and subtasks allows development of more accurate estimates of time, money, and resources for a project. Although the WBS shows the scope of the project in an easy-to-read visual form, it does not reflect the chronological order in which tasks should be accomplished.
A Critical Path Method (CPM) diagram shows the tasks involved, the duration of each task (usually expressed in days), the relationships between tasks, the sequence of these tasks, which tasks can be done in parallel, and which tasks are dependent on the preceding task(s). (Note: The critical path is the longest path of sequential project tasks displayed on a CPM chart; it contains no slack time. Unless each task and subtask on the path is accomplished in sequence and in the time frame allotted to it, slippage may result, threatening the success of the entire project.)
A Gantt chart is a comprehensive bar chart that shows the task and time requirements of a project, indicating start dates, finish dates, and person(s) responsible for each task(s). To complete a Gantt chart, you need to know the tasks involved, the duration of each task (usually expressed in days), the starting date for your project, and team or individual assignments. Gantt charts can be complex, and they need to be updated frequently, which can make them difficult to maintain.
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Question
You are an assistant project manager at SPLASH Marketing, Inc. To present the most accurate estimates of time and resources needed for a proposed project, you need to create an outline of all tasks and subtasks assigned to each department. According to the document shown, the tool that will best present this information is a:
a. CPM diagram.
b. Gantt chart.
c. project overview.
d. project portfolio.
e. WBS.
