ANCC nursing certification Exam 262 Questions with Verified Answers
ANA definition of NI (2008) - CORRECT ANSWER Nursing informatics is a specialty
... [Show More] that:
A. integrates nursing science
B. Computer science
C. Information science
to manage and communicate:
1. Data
2. Information
3. Knowledge and
4. Wisdom in nursing practice
NI Supports:
a. consumers
b. patients
c. nurses
d. other providers in their decision-making in all roles and settings.
This support is accomplished through:
i. use of information structures
ii. information processes
iii. information technology
What year did the ANA identify NI as a nursing specialty? - CORRECT ANSWER 1992
When was the first scope of practice statement for NI published? - CORRECT ANSWER 1994
ANA definition of NI - CORRECT ANSWER Specialty that integrates nursing science with multiple informative and analytical sciences to identify, define , manage and communicate data information, knowledge, and wisdoms in nursing practice
What are the foundations of practice - CORRECT ANSWER A. Professional practice
B. Methodologies & Theories
C. Rules, regulations, & requirements
D. Interprofessional collaboration
ANA definition of NI (2015) - CORRECT ANSWER NI is a specialty that integrates nursing science with multiple information and analytical sciences to:
A. Identify
B. Define
C. Manage and
D. Communicate data, information, knowledge, and wisdom in nursing practice
NI supports:
1. Nurses
2. Consumers
3. Patients
4. Users
5. Interprofessional healthcare team
6. Other stakeholders in their decision-making roles and settings to achieve desired outcomes
This support is accomplished through the use of:
a. information structures,
b. information processes, and
c. information technology
Tenents (beliefs) of Nursing Informatics - CORRECT ANSWER 1. A unique body of knowledge, preparation, and experience that aligns with the nursing profession.
2. Involves the synthesis of data & information into knowledge & wisdom
3. Supports decision-making of healthcare consumers, nurses, and other professionals achieve healthcare consumer safety and advocacy
4. Supports data analytics, including quality of care measures, to improve population health outcomes and global health
5. Promotes data integrity and the access and exchange of health data for all consumers of health information
6. Supports national and international agendas of interoperability and the efficient and effective transfer and delivery of data, information, and knowledge
7. Ensures that collaboration is an integral characteristic of practice
8. Interleaves user experience and computer-human interaction concepts throughout practice
9. Incorporates key ethical concerns of NI such as advocacy, privacy, and assurance of the confidentiality and security of data and information
10. Considers the impact of technological changes on patient safety, healthcare delivery, quality, reporting, and the nursing process
11. Leads in the design and promotion of useful, innovative information technologies that advance practice and achieve desired outcomes(Scope & Standards )
When was the ANA Standards of Practice for NI released? - CORRECT ANSWER 1995
When was the scope and standards of NI practice released combining both scope and standards of practice? - CORRECT ANSWER 2001 then updated in 2008
What are analytical sciences? - CORRECT ANSWER A listing of sciences that integrate with NI includes:
1. computer science
2. cognitive science
3. science of terminologies and taxonomies (including naming and coding conventions)
4. information management
5. library science
6. heuristics
7. archival science
8. mathematics
What are the NI competencies for all RNs? - CORRECT ANSWER TIGER-Technology informatics guiding education reform identified that all nurses in every role must be prepared to make HIT. TIGER formed an informatics competency collaborative which defines the competencies recommended for the NI discipline:
1. Basic computer skills
2. Information literacy
3. information management
According to Staggers, Gassert, Curran 2002, what are the levels of informatics competencies? - CORRECT ANSWER 1. Beginning nurse
2. Experienced nurse
3. Informatics nurse specialist
4. Innovator
Name some additional competencies - CORRECT ANSWER 1. Pierce, Tanner, & Pravikoff (2005) information literacy
2. Telehealth competencies (ATA, ICN)
3. Genetics & genomics competencies
4. National league for nursing
5. Amer Assoc of College of Nurses
6. Forecasting informatics competencies for nurses in the future of connected health IOS Press 2017
Name the types of roles - CORRECT ANSWER 1. Project manager
2. Decision support/outcomes
3. Educator
4. Product developer
5. Systems analyst
6. Consultant
7. Programmer
8. Advocate/policy developer
9. Web developer
10. CIO/CNIO
11. Entrepreneur
12. Researcher
13. Sales and Marketing
14. Consumer advocate
What are the functional areas: Informatics nurses - CORRECT ANSWER 1. Administration, leadership, & management
2. Systems analysis & design
3. Compliance & integrity management
4. Consultation
5. Coordination, facilitation, & integration
6. Development
7. Educational & professional development
8. Genetics & genomics
9. Information management/operational architecture
10. Policy development & advocacy
11. Quality & performance improvement
12. Research & evaluation
13. Safety, security & environmental health
What are the standards of nursing informatics Practice? - CORRECT ANSWER 1. Evaluates quality & effectiveness of NI practice
2. Performance appraisal
3. Maintains knowledge and NI competency-life-long learning
4. Contributes to the professional development of others
5. Bases decisions and actions on ethical principles
6. Collaborates with others
7. Contributes to the body of informatics research
8. 16 Standards are highlighted with measurement criteria
What are the NI Standards of practice? - CORRECT ANSWER Standard 1: Assessment
Standard 2: Diagnosis, Problems & Issues Identification
Standard 3: Outcomes Identification
Standard 4: PlanningStandard 5: Implementation
Standard 6: Evaluation
Standard 7: Ethics
Standard 8: Education
Standard 9: Evidence-Based Practice and Research
Standard 10: Quality of Practice
Standard 11: Communication
Standard 12: Leadership
Standard 13: Collaboration
Standard 14: Professional Practice Evaluation
Standard 15: Resource Utilization
Standard 16: Environmental HealthADOPIEEEEQCLCPRE
What makes up EBP? - CORRECT ANSWER 1. Literature searches
2. Clinical practice guidelines
3. Clinical protocols
Boolean search
Definition of EBP - CORRECT ANSWER *A problem-solving approach to clinical decision-making within a healthcare organization
*Integrates best available scientific evidence with best available experience
*Uses research & non-research evidence (ethical or personal)
Evidence-Based nursing practice is the process: - CORRECT ANSWER By which nurses make a clinical decision using:
1. The best available research evidence
2. Their clinical expertise
3. Patient preferences
Formulating answerable clinical questions is the foundation of EBP. - CORRECT ANSWER 1. Start with the patient: clinical problems & questions arise out of patient care
2. Translate the clinical questions into a searchable question using PICOT
3. Decide on the best type of study to address the question
4. Perform a literature search in the appropriate sources
What is the PICOT model to support EBP - CORRECT ANSWER P-Population/condition
I-Intervention
C-Comparison
O-Outcome
T-Time of study
What is the ACE Star Model of EBP (2004)? - CORRECT ANSWER 5 points of knowledge transformation:
1. Discovery
2. Summary
3. Translation
4. Integration
5. Evaluation
NI support nurses, consumers, patients, interprofessional healthcare team, and stakeholders through the use of which three things? - CORRECT ANSWER 1. Information structures
2. Information processes
3. Information technology
Name a Metastructure - CORRECT ANSWER DIK (Blum-1986)
1. Data
2, Information
3. Knowledge
4. WisdomDIKW (Graves & Corcoran-1989)
What is Data? - CORRECT ANSWER Discrete entities that are described objectively with interpretation
What is Information? - CORRECT ANSWER Data that have been:
1. Interpreted
2. Organized or
3. Structured
What is Knowledge? - CORRECT ANSWER Information that is synthesized so that relationships are identified and formalized
Focuses on what is known
The appropriate use of knowledge involves? - CORRECT ANSWER Integration of empirical, ethical, personal, and aesthetic knowledge into actions
What is Wisdom? - CORRECT ANSWER The appropriate use of knowledge to manage and solve human problems.
It consists of knowing when and how to apply knowledge to deal with complex problems or specific human needs
Focuses on the appropriate application of that knowledge and an appreciation of the consequences of selected actions
Relationship of Data, Information, Knowledge, and Wisdom
Nelson 2002 - CORRECT ANSWER Data - naming, collecting, and organizing
Information - Organizing and interpreting
Knowledge - Interpreting, integrating, and understanding
Wisdom - Understanding, applying and applying with compassion
NI is concerned with - CORRECT ANSWER Creation
Structure
Storage
Delivery
Exchange
Interoperability
Reuse of nursing and clinical information along the continuum of care.
What is the informatics nurse specialist often responsible for? - CORRECT ANSWER Implementing or coordinating projects involving multiple professions and specialties
Support other RNs to best use data, information, knowledge, and technology
NIs support through the use of: - CORRECT ANSWER Information structures
Information processes
Information technology
NIs Foci - CORRECT ANSWER Information user, information recipients, exchange data, information, knowledge, and wisdom
Design, structure, interpretation, and representation of data, information, knowledge, and wisdom
Design, develop, implement, and evaluate applications and technologies, ensuring their safety, quality, effectiveness, efficiency, and usability
Standardized terminologies - CORRECT ANSWER Have become a significant vehicle for facilitating interoperability between different concepts, nomenclatures, and information systems
What is the systems development life cycle (SDLC)? - CORRECT ANSWER *Standardized approach*Process for developing information systems in a: -deliberate -structured -methodical manner
What are the four phases of the SDLC? - CORRECT ANSWER 1. Planning2. Analysis3. Design, Develop, Customize4. Implementation, Evaluate, Maintain, Support
What is a project life cycle? - CORRECT ANSWER 1. Initiating2. Planning3. Execution4. ClosingMay be used in conjunction with the SDLC
What is the Planning phase of the SDLC? - CORRECT ANSWER It is a foundational, fundamental and often longest phase (sets the stage for the project)*system requirements*feasibility study*project charter*project plan
In the Planning phase of the SDLC, what are the system request components? - CORRECT ANSWER 1. Project sponsor2. Business need3. Business requirements4. Business value5. Special issues/considerations
In the Planning phase of the SDLC, what are the feasibility analysis types? - CORRECT ANSWER 1. Technical, "can we build it?"2. Economic, "should we build it?"3. Operational, "if we build it, will they use it?"
In the Planning phase of the SDLC, what are the elements of the project charter? - CORRECT ANSWER 1. Project champion2. Dates (start, milestones, end)3. Problems or opportunity statements (purpose/justification)4. Objectives (what we want to achieve)5. Key stakeholders6. Scope of the project7. Target benefit8. Budget
In the Planning phase of the SDLC, what is a project charter? - CORRECT ANSWER 1. Draws from system requests2. Created by project sponsor or initiator (often delegated to the project manager or informatics nurse)3. Formally authorizes the existence of a project4. Authorizes project manager to apply organizational resources
In the Planning phase of the SDLC, what are the goals assessment? - CORRECT ANSWER 1. Return on investment (ROI)-ratio of expected financial gains divided by the total costs2. Cost-benefit analysis (CBA). Attempt to quantify tangible and intangible items3. Tangible-improve revenue, decrease staff needed4. Intangible-increase in patient satisfaction
In the Planning phase of the SDLC, what are the tools used? - CORRECT ANSWER System Selection & Implementation: -customer site visit -surveys -RFI/RFP -Gap analysisSystem/Product Development -Stakeholders analysis -Market survey -Feasibility analysis -Assessment of competitors
In the Planning phase of the SDLC, what is a GAP analysis template? - CORRECT ANSWER A visual tool that involves a comparison of actual performance & potential or desired performance.
In the Planning phase of the SDLC, what is the informatics roles and skills? - CORRECT ANSWER System Selection & Implementation: -Project manager -SME -System analyst -Autor of artifacts: project charter system selection plan RFI/RFPSystem/Product Development -Market/user researcher -SME -Systems analyst -Author of artifacts product concepts scope document feasibility assessments other artifacts of planning -Respond to RFI/RFP
In the Planning phase of the SDLC, what is an RFI? - CORRECT ANSWER *Is it a request for information*A document that the organization sends to vendors*Indicates interest in gaining knowledge about the vendor's product*Lists (high level) the key features desired for the new system*Vendor responds to RFI w/their products ability to meet these high-level requirements
In the Planning phase of the SDLC, what is an RFP? - CORRECT ANSWER *Request for proposal*Created by the project team*Sent to selected vendors requesting greater and more detailed information about the features/functions desired for the new system*Response from vendor from an RFP are equally detailed*Supports comparison of vendors
In the Planning phase of the SDLC, what are outputs? - CORRECT ANSWER System Selection & Implementation -system request -feasibility assessment -charter -team formation proj governance structure/implement committee proj team(s) (actually implements the system) -gap analysis -timeline -workplan & resource requirementsSystems/Product Development -feasibility assessment -product scope document what it will and will no contain functionally -product concept document summary of customer needs proposed solution potential market use -In product development, the decision to "go" or "no go" is made in the planning phase
In the Planning phase of the SDLC, what are typical teams and committees? - CORRECT ANSWER Systems Selection & Implementation: -Executive steering committee -Data governance committee -Information technology steering committee -Physician advisory committeeSystems/Product Development: -Project core group or build team(s) -Testing team -Change management/communication team -Training team -Support team
In the Planning phase of the SDLC, what is the purpose of a project charter? - CORRECT ANSWER To formally authorize a project or a phase and document initial requirements which satisfy the stakeholder's needs & expectations.
Categories of competencies with nursing informatics include? - CORRECT ANSWER 1. Basic computer skills2. Information management skills3. Information literacy skills
The foundation of an organizations' strategic system planning begins with a review of the? - CORRECT ANSWER The organization's business mission
In what phase of the SDLC are feasibility studies performed? - CORRECT ANSWER Planning phase
The informatics nurse may recommend gap analysis in order to determine the? - CORRECT ANSWER Resources needed to move from the current state to a proposed state
When looking at potential products and gathering information, one of the first tools is often a: - CORRECT ANSWER Request for Information (FRI)
What is the 2nd phase in the SDLC? - CORRECT ANSWER System Analysis
During the Analysis phase of the SDLC, what are the main focus? - CORRECT ANSWER -Fact-finding phase-In-depth assessment and leads to the definition of the new system's requirements-Understanding the existing situation (the as-is system)-Identifying improvements-Define requirements for the new system (to-be system)
During the Analysis phase of the SDLC, what are the major activities performed? - CORRECT ANSWER 1. Answers the question of: Who uses the system? What the system does Where and when the system will be used2. All deliverables are combined into the System Proposal -Requirements determination -Use case analysis -Process modeling -Data modelingPrimary Deliverable: SYSTEM PROPOSAL
During the Analysis phase of the SDLC, what are the key deliverables? - CORRECT ANSWER 1. Gap analysis 2. Technical requirements for hardware, software, ^ networks3. Functional design document4. System proposal document
During the Analysis phase of the SDLC, what are the goals for a system selection & implementation? - CORRECT ANSWER -Conduct a detailed assessment of gaps-gap analysis-and user needs (requirements) understanding the "must-have" functionality of the desired system-Conduct market survey to assess options/compare for selection-Develop FRI and RFP-Establish a system selection process including an objective decision-scoring methodology typically developed from the RFP scores based on functional requirements necessary elements scored higher than "nice-to-have"-Assess readiness for change
During the Analysis phase of the SDLC, what are the goals for a systems/product development? - CORRECT ANSWER -Fully understand and prioritize gaps and needs in existing systems and products How will your development address those?-Understand the diagram-related workflows, data flows, and processes in order to effectively analyze-Document functional and technical requirements Functional end-user requirements Technical: define programmer instructions-Outline future-state workflows, data flows, & processesOutline the impact on existing processes
During the Analysis phase of the SDLC, what are the tools used in systems selection & implementation and systems/product development? - CORRECT ANSWER *Qualitative analytical methods: -Interviews and focus groups with stakeholders -Observations, questionnaires -Artifact analysis (document examination)*Quantitative analytical methods: -RFP and RFI scoring tools to quantify the best product to meet the need -Context diagrams (high-level data flow diagram/summary of the system) -Data flow diagrams (additional detail about each part of the business process) -Clinical workflow diagrams -Gap analysis*Current state assessment to determine "where we are now"
During the Analysis phase of the SDLC, what are the roles and skills of the informatics nurse in the systems selection & implementation? - CORRECT ANSWER #NAME?
During the Analysis phase of the SDLC, what are the roles and skills of the informatics nurse in the systems/product development? - CORRECT ANSWER #NAME?
During the Analysis phase of the SDLC, what are the system analysis outputs of the systems selection & implementation? - CORRECT ANSWER -prioritizing end-user requirements-workflows (steps/process)-dataflows (information)-RFI/RFP-product demonstrations-reference call and site visits-product select scoring process-final recommendations-readiness assessment
During the Analysis phase of the SDLC, what are the system analysis outputs of the systems/product development? - CORRECT ANSWER -report to stakeholders including interview results & end-user requirements-regulatory requirements related to the product you are developing-product scope documents-functional requirements-technical requirements (from which the product can be developed) and also for hardware, software, & networks
During the Analysis phase of the SDLC, what are the system analysis outputs? - CORRECT ANSWER 1. The requirements analysis (or determination) is a major output of this phase2. A detailed list of requirements that are supported by the other activities of the analysis phase 3. The system proposal combines much of the analysis output into a report. Key components of this report can include: a. requirements definition: simply lists the functional & non-functional requirements in an outline format b. use cases: define what the users or roles will be doing in the solution. Created considering the actor (someone who interacts with the system), the system (system function process) and goals or tasks to be fulfilled. c. process models d. data models
During the Analysis phase of the SDLC, what are the system analysis Outputs Use Case examples? - CORRECT ANSWER 1. Information exchange to be solved electronicallyActors: PCP Ambulatory practice, MD specialty practiceSystem: EHR interfaceGoal: To improve care coordination and meet MU2 transition of care
During the Analysis phase of the SDLC, what is a data flow diagram - CORRECT ANSWER A DFD shows the flow of the data through a system and the work or processing performed on the data as it moves through the system
During the Analysis phase of the SDLC, what is an entity-relationship diagram? - CORRECT ANSWER -Shows relationships between entities. -Data modeling-data object and relationship between objects-graphically illustrates an information system's entities and the relationship between those entities
In what stage of the SDLC are requirements lists developed? - CORRECT ANSWER System Analysis phase
In the SDLC analysis phase, name non-functional requirements - CORRECT ANSWER 1. maintainability2. portability3. robustness
The informatician is developing a diagram that shows the sequential steps of a process. What is the best choice for chart diagrams? - CORRECT ANSWER Flow Chart
A data flow diagram shows graphically what? - CORRECT ANSWER How data flows into a system and from one process to another
What phase comes after the planning and analysis phases of the SDLC? - CORRECT ANSWER System design, develop, customize
In the SDLC design phase, what is determined? - CORRECT ANSWER 1. architecture and operation of the system with regard to processes, hardware, software, networking, data retrieval, archiving, and use, user interface, and so on.2. development user requirements are translated into new software solutions3. Implementation-vendor tools are customized to meet user needs.
In the SDLC System Design phase, what is the primary deliverable? - CORRECT ANSWER 1. System specification document (architecture document, technical system blueprint)
In the SDLC System Design phase, what are the key deliverables? - CORRECT ANSWER 1. Functional specifications2. Technical specifications3. Implementation Workplan regarding interfaces, testing, training, cut over and go-live.
In the SDLC System Design phase, what are the major activities in system design? - CORRECT ANSWER 1. Transform business requirements identified during previous phases into detailed specifications covering all aspects of the system2. All deliverables from the Design phase are combined into the System Specification document
In the SDLC System Design phase, Design versus Build? - CORRECT ANSWER In this phase, all the information form planning and analysis are used to create a document for the design.Design does not mean build-build is done in the implementation phase.
In the SDLC System Design phase, what are the goals in System Selection & Implementation? - CORRECT ANSWER *Customization of software, including data elements, documentation templates, & screen design*With commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) products, customization/localization is the primary goals*End-user input & engagement for customization to meet (clinician) needs-extremely important in the design phase
In the SDLC System Design phase, what are the goals in Systems/Product Development? - CORRECT ANSWER *Develop teams to write code that will convert functional and technical specifications into software applications*USABILITY testing of prototypes and early product versions lead to system enhancements*Stakeholder reviews to ensure that what is built matches the original vision & scopeUsability-easy to use, navigate, better adoption
In the SDLC System Design phase, what are the tools used in the Systems Selection and Implementation? - CORRECT ANSWER *Vendor system configuration, including databases, data dictionaries, documentation forms, flowsheets, security profiles, process redesign maps*Change management & end-user educational artifacts like stop-start-continue*Project management tracking artifacts*Clinical & administrative committee review minutes & approval documents*Project management overarching during the design phase
In the SDLC System Design phase, what are the tools used in Systems/Product Development? - CORRECT ANSWER *Software programming code*Product prototypes*Software applications*Software development progress-tracking artifacts
In the SDLC System Design phase, what are some of the design strategies (methods)? - CORRECT ANSWER Waterfall *RAD-Rapid Application Development: Iterative*RAD-Rapid Application Development: System PrototypingAgile
In the SDLC System Design phase, what are the steps in the Waterfall development tool? - CORRECT ANSWER Planning Analysis Design Implementation SystemEach phase has to be completed before moving onto the next phase
In the SDLC System Design phase, what are the steps of the Rapid Application Development (RAD) Iterative tool? - CORRECT ANSWER Planning Analysis Design Implement System Version I Analysis Design Implement System Version II and so onWorking system but keeps improving and adding enhancements.
In the SDLC System Design phase, what are the steps of the Rapid Application Development (RAD): System Prototyping tool? - CORRECT ANSWER Planning Analysis Design Implementation System Prototype Implementation SystemAll are done at the same time
In the SDLC System Design phase, what are the steps of the Agile tool? - CORRECT ANSWER Planning Analysis Design System Implementation-Analysis, design, and implementation are all happening concurrently-Short period of time to a functioning product-Defined time frames (i.e. 4/5 weeks called sprints/scrum-Time boxing-working on chunks of the product
In the SDLC System DESIGN phase, what are informatics roles and skills of the system selection and implementation? - CORRECT ANSWER 1. Participant on system configuration teams; like clinical documentation, CPOE, clinical decision support/CDS, and other2. Process redesign analyst3. Change manager4. The developer of training materials
In the SDLC System DESIGN phase, what are informatics roles and skills of the system product development? - CORRECT ANSWER 1. SME resource for developers2. Developer3. Usability Tester4. Development manager
In the SDLC System DESIGN phase, what are informatics roles and skills of other functions and proficiencies in line with clinical informatics contributions? - CORRECT ANSWER 1. Ensuring systems have an appropriate display of patient-level data for clinical decision making. 2. Designing reports identifying trends to align with quality measures initiatives.3. Translating user requirements into informatics solutions a. bridge communication divides between technical experts and clinical end-users.4. Customizing vendor data elements and forms to meet needs.5. Workflow considerations and interfaces with respect to retrofitting legacy systems with newer technology.
In the SDLC System DESIGN phase, during the design, develop, customize phase, what are the OUTPUTS of systems selection and implementation? - CORRECT ANSWER 1. Vendor system configuration documents; like database dictionary, documentation forms, flowsheets, security profiles, process redesign maps, and other artifacts2. Change management and end-user artifacts3. Clinical committee reviews and approvals4. Project management tracking artifacts
In the SDLC System DESIGN phase, during the design, develop, customize phase, what are the OUTPUTS of systems/product development? - CORRECT ANSWER 1. Software/programming code2. Product prototypes3. Software applications4. Software development documentation-including tracking of progress and artifacts
In the SDLC System DESIGN phase, during the design, develop, customize phase, what are the aspects of PROJECT MANAGEMENT? - CORRECT ANSWER 1. Project management is an essential tool of the design phase of the SDLC because it is required to keep implementation and development projects: a. on time, b. within the scope and c. on budget. 2. PMBOK = Project Management Body of Knowledge a. The entire collection of processes, terminologies, and guidelines that are accepted as standards within the project management industry.
In the SDLC System DESIGN phase, what are some project management artifacts? - CORRECT ANSWER 1. Gantt chart2. PERT - Program Evaluation and Review Technique3. CDS - Clinical Decision Support
In the SDLC System DESIGN phase, what is the Gantt chart in the project management artifacts? - CORRECT ANSWER At a glance...the Gantt chart lest you see:1. What are the various activities2. When each activity begins and ends3. How long each activity is scheduled to last4. Where and by how much activities overlap5. Start and end date of the entire projectalso considered a bar chart
In the SDLC System DESIGN phase, what is PERT chart in the project management artifacts? - CORRECT ANSWER Program Evaluation and Review Technique1. PERT diagrams show precedence, activities that must be completed before the next activities may be started2. It illustrates the dependencies and flow of project events and milestones3. Once a diagram is drawn, it is possible to identify the CRITICAL PATH, the longest path/duration through the activities4. Monitoring critical path will identify shortest time to complete the project.
PERT Diagram - CORRECT ANSWER 1. Circles mark the beginning and ends of tasks to be done in the project (aka NODES)2. Arrows are the tasks themsevles. They are identified by letters. The actual names of tasks could be used instead of letters. The lengths of the arrows do not relate to their length in time3. Numbers after the task names are the durations of the task. The time interval may be anything from picoseconds to years. Critical path-longest # of days the shortest amount of time without missing any tasks [Show Less]