Video Vocab
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Projects 2
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study method
Hear the words in context.
Study the meaning of the
words and see examples of
how they can be used.
Practice your new vocabulary.
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introduction
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.
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introduction
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
relationships be t ween different
tasks.
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introduction
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. Text

study
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schedule
A set of target dates
for completing
elements of a
project.
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example:
“The schedule requires us
to complete the first
phase by January 1.”
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to schedule
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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example:
“Richard has scheduled a
meeting for all department
heads on Wednesday
morning at 10:00.”
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schedule
Common collocations:
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1. on schedule
Progress according to the
original plan.
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schedule
Common collocations:
2. behind schedule
Failure to keep up with the
planned schedule.
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example:
“We could face penalties if
we don’t keep on schedule.”
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example:
“The cont ractors are
running several weeks
behind schedule due to
poor weather conditions.”
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timeframe
The period of time
in which a project
or one phase of a
project is meant to
be completed.
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time frame
Timeframe is
usually written as
one word, but can
be written as t wo:
time frame
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example:
“The timeframe for this
project is quite tight as we
only have t wo months to
complete the design phase.”
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to kick off
An idiomatic
expression meaning
‘to start’.
Can also be used as a
noun: kickoff.
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example:
“We kicked off the new
project with a meeting for
all stakeholders.”
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example:
“The kickoff is scheduled
for 10 October. ”
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to give the
green light
To give
permission
for a project
to begin. Text

example:
“The commission has given
the green light for a wind
farm development.”
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lead time
The time bet ween
making a request
and receiving the
results.
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lead time
Often used to refer
to the time
bet ween placing an
order and receiving
delivery.
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example:
“We have a large backlog of
orders, so our lead time has
risen from 15 days to
nearly 30 days.”
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to execute
To perform or
accomplish a
specif ic task .
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example:
“We need to execute each
phase of this project
according to schedule or
we’ll be facing series
delays.”
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stage / phase
project
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stage / phase
A specific time period
assigned for one
element (part)
of a project.
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stage / phase
In most cases,
each stage will
end with the
completion of a
deliverable.
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example:
“In the second phase,
marketing will work with
our research team to build
new features based on
customer feedback.”
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milestone
A critical event
during the life of a
project, usually the
accomplishment of a
project deliverable.
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example:
“Comple ting all
documentation is a key
mile stone for most
soft ware development
projects.”
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constraint
A restriction
or limitation
that influences
the project
plan.
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constraint
For example,
a target date
may be a
constraint on
the scheduling
of a project.
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example:
“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
The sequence of activities
that must be completed on
time for the entire project
to finish on schedule. Text
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example:
“The critical path for this
product launch involves
market research, followed
by product development and
testing.”
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deadline
The latest time
or date by which
something should
be completed.
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example:
“The deadline to apply for
these new positions is
next Friday. ”
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dependency
relationship
A relationship
bet ween t wo
elements of a
project, ...
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dependency
relationship
requiring one to
be started or
finished before
another can
begin.
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example:
“There’s a clear dependency
re l at io n shi p be t we e n
planning and budgeting, since
the plans have to be finished
before we can calculate our
materials costs.”
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PERT chart
A tool used to schedule,
organize and coordinate
tasks within a project.
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example:
“A PERT chart specifies the
sequence of tasks in a
project, and the time required
to execute each one.”
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Gantt chart
A bar chart that shows the
overlapping timing of
acti v itie s involved in a project,
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Gantt chart
and some time s also shows the
relationship be t ween them.
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example:
“According to the project’s
Gantt chart, we should
complete our fundraising
on or before 15 June.”
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work breakdown
structure (WBS) Text
A tree-like structure
of tasks that
need to be
performed
to complete a
project. Text

work breakdown
structure (WBS)
The WBS is of ten used as a
project management tool.
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example:
“Creating a WBS might help
us identify the major cost
items for this project. ”
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example:
“Creating a WBS might help
us identify the major cost
items for this project. ”
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practice
Now, 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.
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answer 3
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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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
...coming soon
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