← VCE Software Development U3O2

Breaking a project into tasks

Splitting a whole project into small tasks, each with a clear outcome, a time estimate and an order (dependencies), so you can track progress as the work gets done.

Part of: VCE Software Development - U3O2 - Analysis and Design — Module 13, VCE Data Analytics - U3O2 - Analysis and Design — Module 10, VCE Data Analytics - U4O1 - Development and Evaluation — Module 47, 9-10 Digital Technologies: Project management — Module 1

Understanding Breaking a project into tasks in VCE Software Development U3O2

What it does: The big project (a quiz game) is broken into three small tasks, and each one has a clear result you can check off. The '3 hrs' is the time estimate. It helps the team plan the schedule and see if they are on track. A clear outcome tells you exactly what will exist when the task is done. 'Work on the logo stuff' is vague. Time estimates should be specific, such as hours or days, so tasks can be scheduled and tracked. When one task relies on another being finished first, it is a dependency. This decides the order of tasks.

Common mistakes: There is no task T9 in the plan, so the order is broken. Testing the login page depends on coding it, so it should say 'after T2'. The time estimates add up to 2 + 3 + 1 = 6 hours, so the total should be 6h, not 8h.

Class: _____________________  ·  Name: _____________________  ·  Date: _________

Free printable worksheet with full answer key — or add this module to a class and your students practise it interactively.

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This module's key terms are also in a printable crossword (Modules 12–24) and word search (Modules 2–24).

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Learning
Duo
Which task is better for a project task list for a school website?
Write the About Us page text (2 hours)Do the website
Matches
Task 1: Make the whole game
↓
The task is far too big and vague. It has no time estimate and no clear outcome, so progress cannot be tracked.
Applying
Meanings
Term
task breakdown
Meaning
Splitting a whole project into small tasks, each with a clear outcome, a time estimate and an order (dependencies), so you can track progress as the work gets done.
Practice
Task 1: Write user survey questions (2h) - after: none
Testing
Gaps
: 3 hours
Check Answer
Spots
2T2 Code login 4h, after T1
3T3 Test login 2h, after T9

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Quick Questions

1. Which task is better for a project task list for a school website?
A. Write the About Us page text (2 hours) ✓
B. Do the website
A good task is small, has a clear outcome and a time estimate. 'Do the website' is the whole project, so you can't track progress on it.
2. Why do we break a project into small tasks?
A. So the project looks longer and more impressive
B. So we can track progress as each task gets finished ✓
Small tasks let the team tick off finished work and see how far along the project is.
3. Which task has a clear outcome?
A. Design the logo and save it as a PNG ✓
B. Work on the logo stuff
A clear outcome tells you exactly what will exist when the task is done. 'Work on the logo stuff' is vague.
4. Which is a useful time estimate for the task 'Test the quiz app'?
A. Some time later
B. 3 hours ✓
Time estimates should be specific, such as hours or days, so tasks can be scheduled and tracked.
5. Task B (Add the sound effects) can only start after Task A (Build the game level) is finished. What is this called?
A. A dependency ✓
B. A deadline
When one task relies on another being finished first, it is a dependency. This decides the order of tasks.

Match the Pairs

Task 3: Draw logo (2 hrs) → A task with a clear outcome and a time estimate
Task 5: Test app (needs Task 4) → A task that depends on another task being finished first
A task list splits the whole project into small steps, each with a clear outcome → 1. Write quiz questions 2. Build quiz screen 3. Test quiz with friends
A time estimate says how long each small task should take → Design menu: 3 hrs
Task 1: Make the whole game → The task is far too big and vague. It has no time estimate and no clear outcome, so progress cannot be tracked.
Task 4: Publish site (1 hr), Task 5: Write site code (6 hrs) → The task order is wrong. The site cannot be published before the code is written, so the dependency is ignored.

Key Term

task breakdown
Splitting a whole project into small tasks, each with a clear outcome, a time estimate and an order (dependencies), so you can track progress as the work gets done.

Fill in the Blanks

1. Task 1: Draw wireframes Time: 3 hours Depends on: none
Hint: Type the label that shows the time estimate for the task.
2. Task 2: Build menu page Time: 4 hours Depends on: Task 1
Hint: Type the label that shows which task must be finished first.
3. Task 3: Test the quiz Outcome: bug list finished Time: 2 hours
Hint: Type the label that describes the clear result of the task.
4. Task 1: 3 hours Task 2: 4 hours Total = 3 + 4 = 7 hours
Hint: Type the total of the two time estimates.
5. Task 1: Write code Task 2: Test code Task 2 depends on Task 1
Hint: Type the number of the task that must be done before testing.

Spot the Error

Question 1
A T1 Plan screens 3h
B T2 Code login 4h, after T1
C T3 Test login 2h, after T9
D Total: 9h
Line C — There is no task T9 in the plan, so the order is broken. Testing the login page depends on coding it, so it should say 'after T2'.
Question 2
A T1 Design logo 2h
B T2 Draw poster 3h, after T1
C T3 Print poster 1h, after T2
D Total: 8h
Line D — The time estimates add up to 2 + 3 + 1 = 6 hours, so the total should be 6h, not 8h.
Question 3
A T1 Write quiz questions 2h
B T2 Do the rest 3h, after T1
C T3 Rehearse quiz 1h, after T2
Line B — 'Do the rest' is vague and has no clear outcome. A task needs a specific outcome, such as 'Build slides'.
Question 4
A T1 Choose game idea 1h
B T2 Sketch levels 2h, after T1
C T3 Code level 1 5h, after T2
D T4 Playtest, after T3
Line D — This task has no time estimate. Every task needs one so the total time can be worked out and progress tracked. It should say 'T4 Playtest 2h, after T3'.
Question 5
A T1 Cut wood for stand 2h
B T2 Build stand 3h, after T1
C T3 Paint stand 1h, after T1
Line C — The stand can't be painted until it has been built. Painting depends on T2 (building), so it should say 'after T2'.

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