Using The Information In Table 12-7 On Page 249

12-1: Using the information in Table 12-7 on page 249, construct a PERT network and answer each of the following questions

Using the information in Table 12-7 on page 249, construct a PERT network and answer each of the following questions:

a. What is the expected project completion date?

b. What is the scheduled start and completion date for each activity?

c. Which activities are on the critical path?

d. How long can noncritical path activities be delayed without jeopardizing the overall completion date for this project?

Paper For Above instruction

The project management technique known as Program Evaluation and Review Technique (PERT) is a powerful tool used to analyze the specific tasks involved in completing a project, especially when uncertainty exists about activity durations. Given the instruction to construct a PERT network based on data from Table 12-7 on page 249, the process begins with identifying the activities, their estimated durations, and dependencies. While the specific data from Table 12-7 are not provided explicitly here, the general methodology involves calculating the expected duration of each activity using three estimates: optimistic, most likely, and pessimistic durations. These are then used to compute an expected time for each task through a weighted average formula: (Optimistic + 4 x Most Likely + Pessimistic) / 6.

Once the expected durations are determined, activities are sequenced based on their dependencies, facilitating the construction of the project's network diagram. This network visualizes the flow of activities from start to finish, illustrating all paths leading to project completion. With the network structure established, the next step involves calculating the earliest start (ES) and earliest finish (EF) times, progressing forward from the project's commencement point. Similarly, the latest start (LS) and latest finish (LF) times are derived by working backward from the project's anticipated completion date, which is identified as the maximum EF across all terminal activities.

The expected project completion date essentially corresponds to the total duration of the critical path—the sequence of activities that determines the minimum project duration. Since any delay in critical activities directly impacts the overall project timeline, identifying the critical path is crucial for effective scheduling and resource management. The critical path, in this context, comprises activities with zero slack time, meaning they cannot be delayed without affecting the project's completion date.

Additionally, the scheduled start and completion dates for each activity are derived from the forward pass calculations and align with resource planning requirements. By analyzing slack or float for noncritical activities, project managers can determine how long these tasks can be delayed without impacting the project's overall timeline. The flexibility associated with noncritical activities enables better resource allocation and risk mitigation.

In summary, constructing a PERT network involves three main phases: estimating activity durations, developing the network diagram based on dependencies, and analyzing the network to determine project timelines, critical activities, and slack times. Although specific numerical data from Table 12-7 are not provided here, the described process exemplifies the application of PERT methodology to project scheduling challenges, ensuring timely project completion through strategic planning and analysis.

References

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