Week 2: Building Out a Project Plan
Building Out a Project Plan INTRODUCTION
“The Google Project Management: Professional Certificate course offered by Coursera helps you develop a robust project plan. You’ll examine project documentation and analyze key conversations to understand the tasks and milestones necessary for successful project execution. The course also covers effective communication techniques to improve time estimation for each task. This knowledge is essential for any project manager, ensuring that objectives are met on time without sacrificing quality or accuracy.
With this Google certificate, you’ll gain the training needed to create comprehensive, well-organized project plans that are easy for all stakeholders to understand. Building an organized, accurate project plan is just one of many important skills to become a proficient project manager.
Learning Objectives
- Examine project documentation, conduct online research, and analyze key conversations to identify project tasks.
- Document, prioritize, and organize project tasks and milestones within a project plan.
- Apply techniques for determining time estimates and add confidence ratings.
- Recognize strategies for negotiating with empathy to develop accurate time estimates.”
ACTIVITY: IDENTIFY PROJECT TASKS: ANALYZE PROJECT DOCUMENTS
1. What are some resources you can consult to find tasks to add to a project plan? Select all that apply.
- Customer surveys
- Project plans used in the past for similar projects (CORRECT)
- Relevant work documents, like emails or meeting notes (CORRECT)
- The project charter (CORRECT)
Correct: These are some of the items you can consult to identify project tasks.
Correct: This is one of the items you can consult to identify project tasks.
2. Which of these tasks might you identify from your Sauce & Spoon menu tablets project charter? Select all that apply.
- Add a reservation booking feature to the tablets
- Implement a post-dining survey to assess customer satisfaction (CORRECT)
- Train management, FOH staff, and BOH staff (CORRECT)
- Install tablets in the bar areas at the Downtown and North restaurant locations (CORRECT)
This task, identified in the project charter, serves as a core deliverable of the project.
As a key deliverable of the project, this task could be outlined in the project charter.
This is one of the tasks that may be defined as a core deliverable in the project charter.
The project charter may identify this task as one of the core deliverables of the project.
3. Which of the following tasks from the historical project plan could be helpful for the tablet project? Select all that apply.
- Test out reservation systems
- Create contracts and statements of work for vendors (CORRECT)
- Generate quotes and review costs (CORRECT)
- Create a launch day plan: staffing, troubleshooting, etc. (CORRECT)
Since the tablet project probably requires collaboration with external vendors, this is a task you can reference from the historical project plan.
To ensure the project remains within budget, generating quotes and reviewing costs is a task that can be taken from the historical project plan.
A launch day plan is essential for the tablet project, so this is a task you can draw from the historical project plan.
4. Which of the following project tasks can you identify from the email exchange about tablet logistics? Select all that apply.
- Train general managers how to enter payroll
- Schedule an electrician (CORRECT)
- Connect the Sauce & Spoon marketing team with Terrific Tablets for branding (CORRECT)
- Train the staff to update the menu (CORRECT)
Correct: This is one of the tasks you can identify from the email exchange.
ACTIVITY: IDENTIFY PROJECT TASKS: CONDUCT ONLINE RESEARCH
1. How does domain knowledge help project managers with new projects? Select all that apply.
- Makes them experts in a given industry and types of projects in that industry
- Means they don’t need to know anything about an industry in order to work in it
- Provides information about a given industry and types of projects in that industry (CORRECT)
- Saves time on future projects within that industry (CORRECT)
Correct: This is one of the ways domain knowledge helps project managers.
2. Imagine you come across the following information in your online research:
- “Our restaurant keeps our devices safe by always locking them up at the end of service, and making sure we keep track of them at all times.”
- What tasks could you create from this finding that would help with the tablet rollout project? Select all that apply.
- Upgrade the restaurant’s security system
- Run tests on the tablet software
- Enable GPS location services on each tablet (CORRECT)
- Create a procedure for securing tablets at the end of the night (at the table or in a safe) (CORRECT)
Correct: Enabling GPS services could be part of the tablet configuration process, so this task would help with the project.
Correct: Creating a procedure to secure tablets could be part of the staff training, so this task would help with the project.
3. Imagine you come across the following information in your online research:
“Tablets increase customer confidence that their credit card information won’t be stolen when they understand that transactions take place through a secure portal at the table.”
What tasks could you create from this finding that would help with the tablet rollout project? Select all that apply.
- Encourage all customers to use cards even when seated at tables without tablets
- Partner with a credit card company to offer discounts
- Include payment security talking points in waitstaff training (CORRECT)
- Create messaging about payment portal security to display on the tablets (CORRECT)
Payment security talking points might be included in the staff training, making this task essential for the project.
Developing messaging about tablet security could be integrated into the tablet configuration process, so this task will contribute to the project’s success.
TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE: IDENTIFYING TASKS
1. As a project manager working on a new project, you need to identify potential tasks for the team. For this project, there are many roles that require specific expertise and many distinct tasks. Additionally, some team members will have similar tasks. You’d like to have the team generate a full list of detailed tasks and get agreement on the tasks and owners. What interaction should you have?
- Group brainstorm with the team (CORRECT)
- Leadership check-in with key stakeholders
- Discussion with experts not on the team
- One-on-one conversations with team members
Correct: With a group brainstorm, you can get the team to think through tasks together and establish a group consensus. You can also save time by talking with the team at once instead of having one-on-one conversations.
2. As a project manager working on a new project, you need to select a graphic designer on your team to work on a marketing campaign. You’re unsure of each designer’s background and skill set. Which type of interaction would be best to learn more about each teammate’s background and identify potential tasks?
- Group brainstorm with the team
- Consultation with experts not on the team
- One-on-one conversations with team members (CORRECT)
- Meeting with key stakeholders
Correct: You should have one-on-one conversations with the team members to learn their background and if they can help you better understand how to complete the task.
3. As a project manager working on a new project, you need to identify potential tasks for the team. For a deliverable, you need to create marketing materials, but your team’s primary expertise is product development. Which type of interaction would be best to identify marketing-related tasks?
- One-on-one conversations with team members
- Consultation with experts not on the team (CORRECT)
- Meeting with key stakeholders
- Group brainstorm with the team
Correct: You may need to consult with other people in your organization who are not on your team. They can provide valuable expertise and help fill in knowledge gaps.
4. As a project manager working on a new project, you need to identify potential tasks for the team. For this project, you plan to get input from the team’s leadership about tasks. Which type of interaction would be best to identify tasks?
- One-on-one conversations with team members
- Group brainstorm with the team
- Meeting with key stakeholders (CORRECT)
- Consult with experts not on the team
Correct: Stakeholders with high- or medium-level interest or influence in the project are most likely to provide the information you need.
5. As a project manager, you’re going to meet with a stakeholder to discuss potential project tasks. What are two best practices to prepare for the meeting?
- Wait to gather task information so you can be more open minded during the meeting.
- Schedule a pre-call before the official meeting.
- Gather as much task information as possible before the meeting. (CORRECT)
- Outline clear questions that still need answers. (CORRECT)
When meeting with a stakeholder, it’s important to gather as much information about the project as possible. This will allow you to ask informed questions regarding the project and its tasks.
Before meeting with a stakeholder, you should prepare clear, well-defined questions about the project and its tasks. Additionally, gathering as much information about the tasks as possible will help you formulate meaningful questions.
TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE: TIME ESTIMATION
1. What are the benefits of providing accurate time estimates for individual tasks? Select all that apply.
- They enable you to avoid purchasing expensive project management software.
- They establish a better sense of the overall project timeline. (CORRECT)
- They help you accurately track task progress. (CORRECT)
- They help you predict if a milestone may go over a deadline. (CORRECT)
By summing the duration of each task, you can get a clear idea of when you and your team will complete the project. Accurate estimates also help identify potential milestone delays and track task progress.
Understanding the time estimates for tasks enables you to better assess how far along the team is in a particular project phase. Accurate estimates also help refine the project timeline and indicate whether a milestone might miss its deadline.
If a milestone is at risk of missing a crucial deadline, you can make adjustments to the size of tasks or the team’s workload to meet the required deadline. Accurate estimates also assist in refining the project timeline and tracking task progress.
2. As a project manager, you try to get an accurate time estimate for a task by communicating with an expert. After considering their time estimate, you are unsure if it includes all steps of a task, so you ask them to explain each step in detail.
What strategy for getting an accurate time estimate did you choose?
- Assess the expert’s confidence level in their estimate.
- Ask the expert how likely they think it is that an assumption might not work out and how it would affect their estimate.
- Check the expert’s understanding of the task. (CORRECT)
- Check the expert’s estimates against the actual time spent on similar tasks in previous work.
Correct: You won’t include every detailed step in the project plan, but it may help the expert come to a time estimate by thoroughly explaining each step in a task.
3. As a project manager, you try to get an accurate time estimate for a task by communicating with an expert. After receiving their time estimate, you ask questions like, “What equipment do you suppose you’ll have?” and “How many people do you expect to work on the task?”
What strategy for getting an accurate time estimate did you choose?
- Assess the expert’s confidence level in their estimate.
- Ask the expert how likely it is that assumptions they have might not work out and how it would affect their estimate.
- Check the expert’s estimates against the actual time spent on similar tasks in previous work.
- Discuss the assumptions the expert may be making when they give an estimate. (CORRECT)
Correct: Asking the expert about their specific assumptions can help uncover areas where they may be misguided in the project.
4. As a project manager, you try to get an accurate time estimate for a task by communicating with an expert. You ask them to think back to a task that resembles the one for this project and describe what was the same, what was different, and if thinking about this previous task changes their estimate.
What strategy for getting an accurate time estimate did you choose?
- Discuss the assumptions the expert may be making when they give an estimate.
- Ask the expert how likely they think it is that their assumptions might not work out and how it would affect their estimate.
- Check the expert’s estimates against the actual time spent on similar tasks. (CORRECT)
- Check their understanding of the task.
Correct: You can estimate task time by reviewing the time it took an expert to complete a similar task on a previous project.
5. What type of time estimate considers how long it takes to complete a task, plus the time it takes to test the product?
- Effort estimate
- Total duration estimate (CORRECT)
- Timeline estimate
- Conservative estimate
Correct: There are two types of time estimates: effort estimates and total duration estimates. The main difference between effort estimate and total duration estimate is adding time for factors such as prep, approvals, and testing.
ACTIVITY: IDENTIFY TIME ESTIMATES FOR YOUR PROJECT PLAN
1. Peta spoke with Seydou about how long it would take for the tablets to arrive. What are some risks that might affect the time estimate for shipping and receiving the tablets? Select all that apply.
- A repair fee to fix broken devices
- Tablets shipping with outdated software
- A shipping delay (CORRECT)
- Broken devices (CORRECT)
Seydou notes that a shipping delay of 2-3 days is unlikely, but possible, and could impact this time estimate.
Terrific Tablets occasionally ships faulty devices, which could impact this time estimate.
2. Peta spoke with Deanna about how long it should take to finalize menu items and coupon values. What are some risks that might affect the time estimate for uploading menu and coupon content? Select all that apply.
- Waitstaff have not yet been trained to use the tablets
- Restaurant customers are not interested in coupons
- Carter’s schedule can be unpredictable (CORRECT)
- Carter wants to revamp the menu before he finalizes the menu and coupon information (CORRECT)
It could take Carter anywhere from a few days to a few weeks to revamp the menu, so this is a risk that may impact this time estimate.
Depending on when Carter completes the menu revamp, it could affect this time estimate.
3. Peta spoke with Seydou about how long it would take to integrate the tablets with Sauce & Spoon’s POS system. What are some risks that might affect the time estimate around POS integration? Select all that apply.
- The updated POS software has a yearly licensing fee
- The waitstaff hasn’t been trained on the tablets yet
- Sauce & Spoon may not be running version 3.0 of their POS software (CORRECT)
- Sauce & Spoon may need to update their POS system (CORRECT)
Correct: If the tablets aren’t compatible with the software, it could affect the tablet integration estimate.
Correct: If Sauce & Spoon needs to update their software, it could affect the tablet integration estimate.
4. Based on the tablet shipping estimate transcript, what time estimate is appropriate for the tablet shipping schedule?
- 5 days
- 3 days
- 10 days (CORRECT)
- 14 days
Correct: Since shipping should take about a week, and a 2-3 day delay is possible, this is a reasonable time estimate.
5. Based on the scheduling software installation transcript, what time estimate is appropriate for the software installation schedule?
- 5 days
- 10 days
- 7 days
- 3 days (CORRECT)
Correct: The update could take a few days, but the integration should only take a few hours, so this is a reasonable time estimate.
ACTIVITY: ADD CONFIDENCE RATINGS
1. The meeting notes state that training will happen in two phases—one for managers and one for staff. Which of the following three-point time estimates would you choose for fully training the team (including planning, training the managers, and training the staff at each location)?
- Optimistic: 2 days; Most Likely: 1 day; Pessimistic: 4 days
- Optimistic: 15 days; Most Likely: 30 days; Pessimistic: 45 days
- Optimistic: 10 days; Most Likely: 14 days; Pessimistic: 21 days (CORRECT)
- Optimistic: 20 days; Most Likely: 14 days; Pessimistic: 10 days
Correct: Since the meeting notes mention separate training sessions for managers and staff, this is a reasonable three-point estimate.
2. Which of the following pieces of information should Peta consider when determining the confidence rating for the wiring time estimate? Select all that apply.
- The team is still waiting for the menu update
- The team’s level of confidence in the time estimate (CORRECT)
- The electrician is confident in the amount of time they need to complete the wiring (CORRECT)
- The restaurant has attempted table wiring at least once before (CORRECT)
The team’s confidence in the estimate should influence the confidence rating.
The electrician’s assessment should influence the confidence rating.
The restaurant’s previous experience with similar tasks should influence the confidence rating.
3. The meeting notes state that Sauce & Spoon has never integrated tablet software with their POS system before and may need to upgrade the system before starting the integration. What confidence rating is appropriate for the POS system time estimates?
- High
- Medium
- Low (CORRECT)
Correct: Sauce & Spoon has no experience integrating tablet software with their POS system, so the confidence rating should be Low.
4. The meeting notes state that the electrician could complete the wiring for both locations in two business days (or 16 hours). Because the restaurants cannot close for a full day for the upgrade, the team estimates four business days (two half-days at each location) to complete the wiring. Based on this information, what notes could you make to add context for this task in the project plan? Select all that apply.
- “Find money in the budget for an electrician”
- “Contact the internet service provider to ensure the network can handle tablet WiFi traffic”
- “Notify GMs when their locations need to close for wiring” (CORRECT)
- “Check with electrician on whether mornings or afternoons work better with their schedule” (CORRECT)
Correct: Based on the information, this is a useful note to add to the project plan.
Correct: Based on the information, this is a useful note to add to the project plan.
5. Which documentation can a project manager review to uncover project tasks? Select all that apply.
- Project schedule
- Project charter (CORRECT)
- Emails that relate to the project (CORRECT)
- Previous project plans (CORRECT)
To identify tasks, you can examine the project charter’s goals and deliverables, making note of any items linked to tasks or milestones. Other useful resources for uncovering tasks include historical project plans and related emails.
Relevant emails can assist in uncovering tasks and in pinpointing team members to consult if you have questions. Additional valuable resources include project charters and past project plans.
Historical project plans can inspire your task list and assist in determining task durations, subject matter experts, and suppliers. Other key documents for uncovering tasks include project charters and related emails.
6. Fill in the blank: _____ refers to knowledge of a specific industry, topic, or activity.
- Domain knowledge (CORRECT)
- Project knowledge
- Milestone knowledge
- Stakeholder knowledge
Correct: When unfamiliar with a new project’s domain, you may need to analyze supporting documentation to help broaden your knowledge.
7. As a project manager, what steps can you take to identify tasks through conversations with your project team? Select all that apply.
- Share your list of tasks in collaboration software and hope the team offers insights.
- Brainstorm as a group with team members who will likely work on those tasks. (CORRECT)
- Leverage the expertise of teammates to help fill in the gaps in your list of tasks. (CORRECT)
- Hold one-on-one conversations with team members to discuss tasks they will be responsible for. (CORRECT)
Correct: One step you can take is to brainstorm with the group. Beyond that, you can hold one-on-one conversations with team members to discuss the tasks they will be responsible for and leverage the expertise of your team members to help fill out your list of tasks
Correct: Experts on your team and in your organization can offer helpful insights. Beyond that, you can hold one-on-one conversations with team members to discuss the tasks they will be responsible for and brainstorm as a group with team members who will likely work on these tasks.
Correct: As a project manager, it can be helpful to hold one-on-one conversations. This can clarify the project tasks each team member will likely be responsible for. Beyond that, you can brainstorm as a group with team members to discuss their tasks and leverage the expertise of team members to help fill out your task list.
8. What is the right level of detail for each item in your list of tasks?
- Tasks should have the level of detail that is requested by the project’s high-influence stakeholders.
- Tasks should be detailed enough that your role as a project manager is no longer relevant and the team can manage itself.
- Tasks should be detailed enough that you are able to check in on progress and identify problems early on. (CORRECT)
Correct: Tasks should be detailed enough that you can monitor progress and identify challenges. It is also important that tasks are not so detailed that you’re endlessly revising your project plan and constantly asking for team updates.
9. Which of the following are techniques to identify milestones? Select all that apply.
- Identify the easiest tasks and batch them together.
- Identify tasks that carry a high risk. (CORRECT)
- Identify points in the project plan where you and your team can evaluate the work completed so far. (CORRECT)
- Identify tasks that signal the completion of a project phase or major task. (CORRECT)
- Identify important tasks that your stakeholders have a particular interest in. (CORRECT)
You may want to identify tasks with high risk, such as tests, as milestones.
These types of milestones may be the same as some of your deliverables.
You may want to consider these tasks as milestones because they have a major impact on the project’s overall progress.
To do this, review your notes from previous conversations with stakeholders and identify tasks that stakeholders were eager to know more about or wanted to review upon completion.
10. Which of the following are strategies for getting accurate time estimates from your task experts? Select all that apply.
- Ask for time estimates after the team completes its work so the expert can consider team performance.
- Ask for estimates of the substeps and make note of them. (CORRECT)
- Discuss the assumptions the expert makes when they give you an estimate. (CORRECT)
- Check their understanding of the task. (CORRECT)
- Compare the experts’ estimates against the actual time spent on similar tasks in previous work. (CORRECT)
To get accurate time estimates, you can ask for substep estimates and add them up to confirm the total time needed to complete a task. You can also check an expert’s understanding of the task and discuss their assumptions. Finally, you can compare expert estimates against the actual time spent on similar tasks in previous work.
You can discuss an expert’s assumptions and ask them to consider how likely these assumptions are to impact the estimate. You can also check an expert’s understanding of the task and ask for estimates of the task’s substeps. Finally, you can compare expert estimates against the actual time spent on similar tasks in previous work.
One strategy is to ask an expert to explain all the detailed steps involved in the task to think through the work required. You can also ask for estimates of task substeps and discuss the expert’s assumptions. Finally, you can compare expert estimates against the actual time spent on similar tasks in previous work.
Ask the expert to think about a similar project they worked on and describe what was different and what was the same. You can also check an expert’s understanding of the task and ask for estimates of the task’s substeps. Finally, discuss an expert’s assumptions and ask them to consider how likely it is they will impact the estimate.
11. Which three calculations does a project manager use when doing a three-point estimate?
- Least likely
- Optimistic (CORRECT)
- Pessimistic (CORRECT)
- Most likely (CORRECT)
Three-point estimating helps determine the most realistic time estimate for a task. It uses optimistic, most likely, and pessimistic calculations. Together, these provide a clearer sense of what’s possible for each task.
Three-point estimating helps determine the most realistic time estimate for a task. It uses optimistic, most likely, and pessimistic calculations. Optimistic and pessimistic calculations are based on the best-case and worst-case scenarios.
Project managers can use three-point estimating to help determine the most realistic time estimate for a task. The estimate is based on optimistic, most likely, and pessimistic calculations.
12. As a project manager, a team member gives you a time estimate that’s different from what you hoped for. You ask the team member to provide neutral information, such as research findings, to support their estimation. Which time estimation negotiation technique did you use?
- Focus on interests, not positions.
- Present mutually beneficial options.
- Insist on objective criteria. (CORRECT)
- Say “no” without saying “no.”
Correct: This technique gets the team member to remove any biases in their estimation and rely on objective information.
13. In addition to avoiding distractions, which of the following are ways to bring empathy to conversations? Select all that apply.
- Observe and frequently remind people of the work they’ve been assigned.
- Connect with people’s experience. (CORRECT)
- Recognize buffering. (CORRECT)
- Listen with curiosity. (CORRECT)
- Repeat what you think you heard. (CORRECT)
- Recognize judgments. (CORRECT)
You can demonstrate empathy by trying to connect with another person’s experience and making it clear that you want to support their work. You should also listen with curiosity and repeat what you think you heard. Finally, you need to recognize your own judgments and inquire about time buffers.
A helpful way to practice empathy is to recognize buffering and encourage team members to open up about any extra buffer time they add to estimates. You should also listen with curiosity, repeat what you think you heard, and connect with the experience of the person you’re talking to. Finally, it is important to recognize your own judgments.
You should listen with curiosity and ask questions to demonstrate your interest in what people have to say. You can also repeat what you think you heard and connect with the experience of the person you’re talking to. Finally, you should try to recognize your own judgments and inquire about time buffers when discussing estimates.
To encourage empathy, you can restate the message of the person you are talking to in your own words. You can also listen with curiosity and connect with the experience of your team members. Finally, you should try to recognize your own judgments and inquire about time buffers.
One approach to embracing empathy is to recognize your judgments and try to put yourself in the other person’s position. You should also listen with curiosity, repeat what you think you heard, and connect with the experience of the person you’re talking to. You also need to inquire about time buffers.
14. One of the deliverables in your project involves marketing your new product with email blasts. Your team writes several drafts of the different marketing materials, generates an email list, and programs the emails to be sent on the correct dates. Which of the following represents a milestone in your project plan?
- Targeted email lists are generated.
- Marketing materials are drafted.
- Emails are programmed to be sent on the correct dates.
- Marketing emails are sent on scheduled dates. (CORRECT)
15. You are developing a schedule for your team’s project plan. Why might you ask your stakeholders or colleagues to share with you emails that relate to the project?
- These emails can help you uncover tasks. (CORRECT)
- These emails tell you what your team members are doing.
- These emails can help you bond with your colleagues.
- These emails will keep you involved with every aspect of the project.
16. You start a new job as a project manager in the private banking industry. You need to have a basic understanding of topics such as how clients open accounts, back office operations, and how trade confirmations are verified. Which of the following terms refers to the knowledge you need?
- Intellectual property
- Enterprise learning
- Competitive intelligence
- Domain knowledge (CORRECT)
17. You need to reach out to a high-influence stakeholder for help in identifying project tasks. You gather as much information as possible and outline clear questions for the stakeholder. Why is it important to complete this prep work before your conversation?
- Identify points in the project plan where you can evaluate completed work.
- Identify tasks that stakeholders have a particular interest in.
- Identify the order in which tasks need to be completed. (CORRECT)
- Identify tasks that carry a high risk.
18. You have gathered information from project documentation and the project team. With this information, you identified and created a list of tasks for your project plan. What is the next step for completing your project plan?
- Aggregation (CORRECT)
- Notification
- Analysis
- Normalization
The formulation is the technique by which identical data is retrieved from many areas and consociated with respect to their representation in a centralized location.
19. Which of the following may indicate a milestone for your project?
- A task that has a major impact on the project’s overall progress (CORRECT)
- A task that your team has the most experience with
- A task that has the highest confidence ratings
- A task that involves the fewest dependencies
20. What term refers to a time estimate that accounts for factors like getting approvals, prep work, testing, and so on?
- Effort estimate
- Total duration estimate (CORRECT)
- Milestone estimate
- Taskflow duration estimate
21. You are making time estimates for your project plan. You ask your task expert to estimate how long the task would take if you assume you need to replace your vendor and you experience unexpected turnover right before the task begins. Which of the measures involved in “three-point” time estimations are you asking from your task expert?
- Pessimistic time estimates (CORRECT)
- Planning time estimates
- Milestone time estimates
- Most likely time estimates
22. Which of the following circumstances is likely to cause a low confidence rating for a task?
- It is a task that involves only one team member.
- It is a task that your team has never done before. (CORRECT)
- It is a task that was completed quickly during past projects.
- It is a task that takes a long time to complete.
23. Which of the following is a good way to bring empathy to a conversation?
- Keep the conversation brief.
- Listen with curiosity. (CORRECT)
- Keep the conversation focused and on point.
- Start by clearly stating your position.
24. What is the purpose of your project plan?
- To keep your project on track (CORRECT)
- To identify milestones
- To document scope
- To determine tasks
25. Which of the following terms refer to knowledge of a specific industry, such as industry terms, techniques, and processes?
- Competitive intelligence
- Enterprise learning
- Intellectual property
- Domain knowledge (CORRECT)
26. When populating your project plan with a set of tasks, when is the best time to hold a group brainstorming session with team members to help identify tasks? Select all that apply.
- After brainstorming a task list with senior stakeholders
- Before you do any other project work
- After you research your project online (CORRECT)
- After you review project documentation (CORRECT)
27. Which of the measures involved in “three-point” time estimations express how long you hope the task will take, assuming everything goes as planned?
- Planning time estimates
- Milestone time estimates
- Most likely time estimates
- Optimistic time estimates (CORRECT)
28. Your team is building a website that will consist of four new pages of content. Your project plan has two team members work together to deliver one page of content: one will outline page content while the other does mockups of page layout. Then they will work together to produce the completed page. Which of the following represents a milestone in your project plan?
- A completed mockup of page layout
- A completed page of content (CORRECT)
- A completed outline of page content
- A completed project plan
29. To identify project tasks for your project plan, you review project documentation and research your project online. You have connected with members of your project team and other experts in your organization to examine your list of tasks. You decide you need additional details about a key deliverable. Who should you speak to in order to receive the missing information?
- Your company’s most senior project manager
- Your company’s Chief Operating Officer
- Your most senior stakeholder
- One of your high-influence stakeholders (CORRECT)
30. Determining the proper task order will help you assign start and end dates for each task. When determining task priorities, what should you consider first?
- The basic order of operations (CORRECT)
- The target date for completing the project
- The number of team members available for the project
- Which team members will address each task
31. You estimate time requirements for designing and launching a new page on the company website. Your page designer estimates that they can design and build a page for launch in three days. You determine that you will need an additional two days for copy editing, legal clearance, and launch authorizations. What is the effort estimate for this task?
- Eight days
- Three days (CORRECT)
- Five days
- Two days
32. Why is the three-point time estimating technique a good way to determine a confidence rating for your time estimates?
- It ensures you have considered the best-case and worst-case conditions for a task. (CORRECT)
- It is the time estimating technique that involves input from the most people.
- It removes all uncertainty from your estimate.
- It is a commonly used technique that everyone is familiar with.
33. When you ask questions of your team members without showing empathy, you can leave them feeling too closely observed, controlled, or continuously reminded of the work they have been assigned. What is the term that expresses this negative impact your team members feel in this case?
- Harassment
- Justifying
- Micromanaging (CORRECT)
- Arguing
34. You are managing a construction project and must pour the foundation before you can move on to the building phase of your project. You have ordered the required materials, selected the best team members to execute the pouring, and scheduled a day to when the foundation will be poured. Which of the following represents a milestone in your project plan?
- Scheduling a day to pour the foundation
- Receiving required materials
- Completing the foundation (CORRECT)
- Selecting team members
35. You have created an ordered list of tasks for your project plan. What is the next step for identifying milestones?
- Identify tasks that can be completed most quickly.
- Identify alternative orderings for your list of tasks.
- Identify additional tasks for your project plan.
- Identify points in the task list where you can evaluate work completed so far. (CORRECT)
36. When identifying a project milestone, which of the following describes what you are seeking?
- The last task in your project plan
- Tasks that signal customer payments are due
- Tasks that signal the completion of a project phase (CORRECT)
- The first task in your project schedule
37. What is a negative impact of micromanaging?
- It demonstrates a manager’s lack of trust and confidence in the people they oversee. (CORRECT)
- It demonstrates doubt about the value of the project.
- It causes stakeholders to doubt your ability to manage your team members.
- It causes the manager to worry more.
38. One of the tasks in your project involves setting up the stage for a talent show. Before the team can do this, you need estimates from an audiovisual contractor, and the construction crew needs to build the stage backdrop. What term refers to these preliminary needs?
- Task dependencies (CORRECT)
- Project scope
- Milestones
- Vendors
39. You start a new job as a project manager in an industry that is unfamiliar to you. Which of the following are examples of domain knowledge that you will need to have a basic understanding of? Select all that apply.
- Industry market performance
- Industry competitors
- Industry processes (CORRECT)
- Industry terms (CORRECT)
Building Out a Project Plan CONCLUSION
You have now completed the first step in developing a project plan: identifying tasks and milestones. With the Google Project Management: Professional Certificate course offered by Coursera, you can gain the knowledge and skills needed to make accurate time estimates for each task while honing effective communication techniques. Building a well-organized project plan is essential for successful project management, so take this opportunity to ensure your plans are clear, structured, and actionable!
In the next course, you’ll focus on creating your project schedule by allocating resources and estimating task durations. By the end of this specialization, you’ll be able to develop complete, professional project plans that incorporate realistic time estimates and provide a solid foundation for effective project management. Don’t wait—enroll today at Coursera.org and take the next step in your project management journey!