Video Vocab

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Projects 2

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Practice your new vocabulary.

Hear the words in context.

study method

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Study the meaning of the words and see examples of how they can be used.

The field of scientific management has

developed several tools for helping

large and complex projects succeed.

These include the use of a baseline

budget and schedule, along with visual

aids that show details of the plan.

introduction

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These diagrams, such as the Gantt chart, usually indicate the overall timeframe of a project, as well as lead times, deadlines and milestones for each task and the dependency relat ionships bet ween different tasks.

introduction

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One key concept is the critical path: the longest sequence of tasks that must be completed in sequence, with no time overlap. The PERT chart provides a visual representation of this constraint, allowing project managers to calculate the minimum time needed to complete a project.

introduction

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study

schedule

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A set of target dates for completing elements of a project.

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“The schedule requires us to complete the first phase by January 1.”

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to schedule

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Schedule can also be used as a verb, meaning to prepare a schedule or to choose a time for an event.

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“Richard has scheduled a meeting for all department heads on Wednesday morning at 10:00.”

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Common collocations:

schedule

1. on scheduleProgress according to the original plan.

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Common collocations:

schedule

2. behind scheduleFailure to keep up with the planned schedule.

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“We could face penalties if we don’t keep on schedule.”

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“The contractors are running several weeks behind schedule due to poor weather conditions.”

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timeframe

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The period of time in which a project or one phase of a project is meant to be completed.

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Timeframe is usually written as one word, but can be written as two:time frame

time frame

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“The timeframe for this project is quite tight as we only have two months to complete the design phase.”

to kick off

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An idiomatic expression meaning ‘to start’. Can also be used as a noun: kickoff.

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“We kicked off the new project with a meeting for all stakeholders.”

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“The kickoff is scheduled for 10 October. ”

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To give permission for a project to begin.

to give the green light

example:

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“The commission has given the green light for a wind farm development.”

lead time

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The time between making a request and receiving the results.

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Often used to refer to the time between placing an order and receiving delivery.

lead time

example:

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“We have a large backlog of orders, so our lead time has risen from 15 days to nearly 30 days.”

to execute

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To perform or accomplish a specif ic task .

example:

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“We need to execute each phase of this project according to schedule or we’ll be facing series delays.”

stage / phase

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project

stage / phase

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A specific time period assigned for one element (part)of a project.

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In most cases, each stage will end with the completion of a deliverable.

stage / phase

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“In the second phase, marketing will work with our research team to build new features based on customer feedback.”

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milestone

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A critical event during the life of a project, usually the accomplishment of a project deliverable.

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“ C o m p l e t i n g a l l documentation is a key milestone for most software development projects.”

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constraint

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A restriction or limitation that influences the project plan.

constraint

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For example, a target date may be a constraint on the scheduling of a project.

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“There are t wo key constraints on the scope of this project: it needs to be completed in less than six months and within budget.”

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critical path

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The sequence of activities that must be completed on time for the entire project to finish on schedule.

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example:

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“The critical path for this product launch involves market research, followed by product development and testing.”

deadline

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The latest time or date by which something should be completed.

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“The deadline to apply for these new positions is next Friday. ”

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dependency relationship

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A relationship between two elements of a project, ...

dependency relationship

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requiring one to be started or finished before another can begin.

example:

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“There’s a clear dependency r e l a t i o n s h i p b e t w e e n planning and budgeting, since the plans have to be finished before we can calculate our materials costs.”

PERT chart

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A tool used to schedule, organize and coordinate tasks within a project.

example:

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“A PERT chart specifies the sequence of tasks in a project, and the time required to execute each one.”

Gantt chart

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A bar chart that shows the over lapping t iming of act i v it ie s involved in a project,

Gantt chart

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and somet imes also shows the re lat ionship be t ween them.

example:

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“According to the project’s Gantt chart, we should complete our fundraising on or before 15 June.”

work breakdown structure (WBS)

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A tree-like structure of tasks that need to be performed to complete a project.

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The WBS is of ten used as a project management tool .

work breakdown structure (WBS)

example:

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“Creating a WBS might help us identify the major cost items for this project. ”

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“Creating a WBS might help us identify the major cost items for this project. ”

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practiceNow, it’s

your turn to practice

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example

For example, if you hear…

We <beep> off the new project with a meeting of for all stakeholders.

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example

You should say ...

We kicked off the new project with a meeting of for all stakeholders.

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get ready to speak

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question 1

There’s no flexibility in the <beep> for completing site work, since our subcontractors have other commitments this year.

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answer 1

There’s no flexibility in the deadline for completing site work, since our subcontractors have other commitments this year.

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question 2

Finishing the market research was the first <beep> in the launch of our new product.

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answer 2

Finishing the market research was the first milestone in the launch of our new product.

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question 3

We’ve been researching this merger for several months now, but it was only last week that we got the <beep> from our CEO.

We’ve been researching this merger for several months now, but it was only last week that we got the green light from our CEO.

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answer 3

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question 4

The strike has caused us to fall behind <beep> in filling orders for the third quarter.

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answer 4

The strike has caused us to fall behind schedule in filling orders for the third quarter.

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question 5

We’re looking at a <beep> of about 18 months to execute the re-branding strategy.

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answer 5

We’re looking at a timeframe of about 18 months to execute the re-branding strategy.

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Part iii

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