| Glossary of Project
Management |
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| date
constraints
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There are three types of date constraints:
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No earlier than This constraint specifies
that a task may happen any time after a specific date, but not earlier than the
given date.
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No later than This constraint is deadline
orientated. The task must be completed by this date or else.
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On this date This constraint is the most
time orientated. There is no margin for adjustment as the task must be
completed on this date, no sooner or later.
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| decision
tree analysis
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| A type of analysis that determines which of two decisions
is best. The decision tree assists in calculating the value of the decision and
determining which decision costs the least. |
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decoder
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| This is a part of the communications model; it is the
inverse of the encoder. If a message is encoded, a decoder translates it back
to a usable format |
| Delphi
Technique
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A method to query experts anonymously on foreseeable risks
within the project, phase, or component of the project. The results of the
survey are analyzed and organized and then circulated to the experts. There can
be several rounds of anonymous discussions with the Delphi Technique The goal
is to gain consensus on project risks, and the anonymous nature of the process
ensures that no one expert’s advice overtly influences the opinion of another
participant.
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| demotivators
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An element of Herzberg’s theory that employees are motivated
or demotivated by effects within an organization. The demotivators are actually
the expected benefits a company has to offer, such as insurance, vacation time,
and other benefits. The presence of these elements is expected by the
motivation seekers and only their absence has a negative impact.
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design of experiments
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This relies on statistical “what-if” scenarios to determine
which variables within a project will result in the best outcome. It can also
be used to eliminate a defect. The design of experiments approach is most often
used on the product of the project, rather than the project itself.
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detailed variance reports
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A summary of any variances within the project.
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directive decision-making process
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The project manager makes the decision with little or no
input from the project team. Directive decision making is acceptable, and
needed, in some instances, but it isolates the project manager from the project
team.
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discretionary dependencies
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| The preferred order of activities. Project managers should
adhere to the order at their “discretion” and should document the logic behind
the ordering. Discretionary dependencies have activities happen in a preferred
order because of best practices, conditions unique to the project work, or
external events. This is also known as soft logic |
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