CIS 6208 : UNIT Time and Communication Assignment

PERT  Estimation  &  Project  Plan  Analysis  Exercise      

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CIS 6208 IT Project Management

Exercise Name Program Evaluation and Review Technique (PERT) Estimation and Project Plan Creation Purpose Estimating activity duration based on a PERT estimation incorporates risk management and certainty into the process. Use of this method should improve the overall accuracy of a project time estimate. As a result of this exercise, students will learn how to conduct a PERT activity duration estimate analysis and how to load duration estimates into Microsoft Project. In addition, students will gain experience in identifying the schedule and length of an estimated project effort. Description Students will conduct a PERT activity duration analysis based on the information provided in the project exercise Work Breakdown Structure (WBS). This situation was based on the course case project (see ERP at Roll Royce file for case background) with some enhancements to optimize the learning value of the exercise. In addition, students will leverage use of the resulting duration estimates to identify the calendar schedule and length of the project effort. Students will submit the following in support of this assignment. Project Exercise WBS (MS Excel Format)

Complete and submit the Project Exercise WBS (MS Excel file) with PERT duration estimates entered in YELLOW column marked “Duration (Days)”.

Important Notes 1. Use the PERT (three point) estimation formula in the PMBOK (p. 171) -

Triangular Distribution. 2. The Project Exercise WBS Sheet is setup to be pretty simple so don't over think

it. I suggest setting up your calculations using MS Excel formulas for consistency.

Microsoft Project (MS Project) Plan Develop and submit a project plan using MS Project based on the WBS data. All tasks from the WBS must be entered in the correct sequence, with the correct dependencies. PERT duration estimates must be entered as task durations within the plan.

Important Notes 1. Go to the “Project” tab in MS Project and enter a project start date of 9/22/2014. 2. Don't forget to include your dependencies in your MS project plan. The

dependencies are provided on Column I - "Predecessors".

PERT  Estimation  &  Project  Plan  Analysis  Exercise      

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3. Select the “Auto Scheduled” Scheduling Mode when entering your tasks in MS Project.

Note: Assignments with spelling and/or grammar errors will be returned for correction and resubmission which may result in a late penalty. Rubric

Criteria Exemplary Accomplished Developing Beginning PERT Duration Estimate

Completed MS Excel File provided with 100% Accurate Estimate 20 Points

Completed MS Excel File provided with 99% Accurate Estimate 15 Points

Completed MS Excel File provided with 95% Accurate Estimate 10 Points

No MS Excel File Provided and/or Estimate Accuracy less than 95% 0 Points

MS Project Plan: Task Entry & Sequencing

All Tasks Entered into MS Project Plan in Correct Sequence. 20 Points

All Tasks Entered into MS Project Plan in but Not in Correct Sequence. 15 Points

Some Tasks Missing in MS Project Plan but Remaining Tasks Entered in Correct Sequence. 10 Points

Tasks Missing in Project Plan with Others Entered in an Incorrect Sequence. 5 to 0 Points

MS Project Plan: Dependencies

All Tasks Entered with Correct Dependency Relationships. 10 Points

Most Tasks Entered with Correct Dependency Relationships. 7 Points

Few Tasks Entered with Correct Dependency Relationships. 5 Points

No Dependency Relationships Entered. 0 Points

MS Project – Project Schedule

Project schedule has correct start and end dates. 10 Points

Project duration is correct but with incorrect start and end dates. 7 Points

Project tasks not entered using the “Auto Scheduled” Schedule Mode in MS Project as specified. 5 Points

Missing Project Tasks and/or Durations. 0 Points

Timeliness Exercise is submitted by end of day on Sunday (upon

Exercise is submitted by end of day on Monday (after

Exercise is submitted by end of day on Wednesday

Exercise is submitted on Thursday or later (after completion

PERT  Estimation  &  Project  Plan  Analysis  Exercise      

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completion of unit). 20 Points

completion of unit). 15 Points

(after completion of unit). 10 Points

of unit). 0 Points

Total Assignment Points: 80