About this previous year paper
SECTION A
(2 Marks Each)
(a) What is a Project?
A project is a temporary activity undertaken to create a unique product, service, or result within a specified time, cost, and scope.
(b) What do you mean by S.M.A.R.T.?
SMART stands for Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, and Time-bound, used for setting effective project goals.
(c) Types of Cost Related to Project Development
Costs include direct cost, indirect cost, fixed cost, variable cost, development cost, and maintenance cost.
(d) How Decision Trees Help in Risk Handling
Decision trees help analyze different decisions, possible outcomes, risks, and expected monetary values, enabling better risk-based decisions.
(e) Approaches Used in Identifying Activities
Activities are identified using top-down approach, bottom-up approach, analogy approach, and expert judgment.
(f) Difference between Forward Pass and Backward Pass
Forward pass calculates earliest start and finish time, while backward pass calculates latest start and finish time of activities.
(g) Decision Tree Analysis Steps
Steps include identifying decisions, listing alternatives, assigning probabilities, calculating expected values, and selecting the best option.
(h) Change Control
Change control is the process of managing, approving, and documenting changes in project scope, schedule, or cost.
(i) Organization
An organization is a structured group of people working together to achieve common goals using defined roles and authority.
(j) Risk Management
Risk management is the process of identifying, analyzing, monitoring, and controlling risks that may affect a project.
SECTION B
(10 Marks Each – Attempt Any Three)
(a) Constructive Cost Model (COCOMO) and Its Types
COCOMO is used to estimate software development cost and effort. It predicts manpower, time, and cost based on project size.
The three types are Basic COCOMO, which gives rough estimates; Intermediate COCOMO, which includes cost drivers; and Detailed COCOMO, which considers all development phases separately for accurate estimation.
(b) Work Breakdown Structure (WBS)
WBS is a hierarchical decomposition of a project into smaller manageable components. Types include process-based WBS, product-based WBS, and organizational WBS.
The WBS dictionary contains detailed descriptions of each component, responsibilities, deliverables, cost, duration, and resources.
(c) Function Point Analysis
Function Point Analysis measures software size based on functionality provided to users. It considers inputs, outputs, files, interfaces, and inquiries.
Function points are converted into effort, cost, and schedule estimates using historical productivity data and decomposition techniques.
(d) Project Monitoring and Control
Project monitoring tracks progress against the plan, while control ensures corrective actions. Dimensions include schedule control, cost control, quality control, risk control, and scope control.
(e) Cost-Benefit Analysis
Cost-benefit analysis compares total project costs with expected benefits. It helps determine feasibility, profitability, and return on investment using metrics like payback period, net benefit, and benefit-cost ratio.
SECTION C
(10 Marks Each – Attempt One from Each Question)
Q3
(a) Earned Value Indicator and Relationship between ACWP and AC
Earned Value Indicators measure project performance using Planned Value (PV), Earned Value (EV), and Actual Cost (AC).
ACWP (Actual Cost of Work Performed) represents the actual cost incurred. AC is the same term used in earned value analysis, showing actual spending.
(b) Software Review and Its Types
Software review is a systematic examination of software to detect defects early. Types include walkthroughs, inspections, technical reviews, and management reviews.
Q4
(a) Software Maturity Model (CMM)
CMM defines five levels: Initial, Repeatable, Defined, Managed, and Optimizing. It improves software process quality and maturity through continuous improvement.
(b) Project Scheduling Techniques
Techniques include Gantt Chart, PERT, CPM, and Network Diagrams.
PERT focuses on uncertainty and probabilistic time estimation using optimistic, pessimistic, and most likely times.
Q5
(a) Testing Strategies
Testing strategies include unit testing, integration testing, system testing, and acceptance testing, ensuring software quality at different stages.
(b) Scope of Project and Stepwise Project Plan
Project scope defines boundaries, deliverables, and objectives.
A stepwise project plan includes defining objectives, identifying tasks, estimating resources, scheduling activities, risk analysis, and monitoring.
Q6
(a) SPM Framework and Objectives
SPM framework includes planning, scheduling, risk management, quality management, monitoring, and control.
Objectives are on-time delivery, cost control, quality assurance, and customer satisfaction.
(b) Software Quality Factors and SEI CMM vs ISO 9000
Quality factors include reliability, usability, efficiency, maintainability, and portability.
SEI CMM focuses on process maturity, while ISO 9000 focuses on quality standards and documentation.
Q7
(a) Software Configuration Items, Tasks, and Baselines
SCIs are project artifacts like code and documents. Tasks manage changes to SCIs. Baselines are approved versions used as reference points.
(b) Short Notes
(i) Project Management Performance
It measures success based on schedule, cost, quality, scope, and stakeholder satisfaction.
(ii) Project Lifecycle vs Product Lifecycle
Project lifecycle covers planning to closure, while product lifecycle covers idea to retirement.
(iii) Types of Maintenance
Corrective, adaptive, perfective, and preventive maintenance.