Virginia is the project manager for her company. She has used a previous project as a basis for
her current project because they are similar in nature. Virginia has adapted nearly all of the
previous project plans for her current project – including the project schedule, risk register, and
communications management plan. She has worked with management to update the plans to
adapt them to the current project. What are the previous project management plans called in this
instance?
A.
Expert judgment
B.
Analogous estimate
C.
Templates
D.
Parametric estimate
Explanation:
The best answer for this question is a template. When projects adapt previous project plans for the
current project, it is an example of a project template. Template is an activity list or a part of the
activity list taken from the previous project and used in a new project.
Answer option D is incorrect. A parametric estimate is an estimate that uses a parameter to predict
the costs of the project, such as cost per network drop or cost per software license. Parametric
estimating technique utilizes the statistical relationship that exists between a series of historical
data and a particular delineated list of other variables.
Answer option A is incorrect. Expert judgment is not the best choice for this question. Expert
judgment is a technique based on a set of criteria that has been acquired in a specific knowledge
area or product area. It is obtained when the project manager or project team requires specialized
knowledge that they do not possess. Expert judgment involves people most familiar with the work
of creating estimates. Preferably, the project team member who will be doing the task should
complete the estimates. Expert judgment is applied when performing administrative closure
activities, and experts should ensure the project or phase closure is performed to the appropriate
standards.
Answer option B is incorrect. Analogous is an estimating technique that uses the values of
parameter, such as scope, cost, budget, and duration or measures of scale such as size, weight,
and complexity from a previous, similar activity as the basis for estimation of the same parameterfor a future activity. It is a top-down estimating technique and is a form of expert judgment. It
provides a lower degree of accuracy than other estimating techniques. This technique is primarily
used when there is a limited amount of detailed information about the project or program.