T

task list

A list of the major steps required from the project s origin to its conclusion. A task list is created after the technology has been selected and before you create the implementation plan.

team leaders

Each subteam has a team leader that reports directly to the project manager and oversees the activities of the team members on the subteam.

tiered structure

In a tiered structure, the deliverables are released over multiple dates, allowing the IT project manager to agree to meet new requirements for the project scope.

time and material (T&M) billing method

Most technology integrators like to bill time and materials because there may be some additional problem discovered in the midst of the project that can result in the vendor working extra hours to solve it. T&M contracts should have a not-to-exceed clause (NTE) to contain costs.

total budgeted costs

The amount of dollars budgeted for your project prior to the start of the project implementation phase.

Total Quality Management (TQM)

A process that has all employees within an organization working to fulfill their customers needs while also working to increase productivity. TQM stems from Dr. W. Edward Deming s management principles, which the Japanese adopted after WWII. In the U.S., these principles were readily adopted in the 1980s after proof of their success in Japan.

total slack

The total time an activity can be delayed without delaying project completion.

top-down estimating

A technique that bases the current project s estimate on the total of a similar project. A percentage of the similar project s total cost may be added to or subtracted from the total, depending on the size of the current project.

transference

A response to risks in which the responsibility and ownership of the risk is transferred to another party (for example, through insurance).

trend analysis

Trend analysis is taking past results to predict future performance.

triggers

Warning signs or symptoms that a risk has occurred or is about to occur. An example is a vendor failing to complete its portion of the project as scheduled).