Critical Path Analysis Practice-Uploader

Learn about Critical Path Analysis and Project Management with solved assignments, essays, dissertation and more at Desklib. Get the shortest possible duration for the project, critical path sequence, free float in task F and more.

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Project Management
Critical Path Analysis Practice-Uploader
Task Optimistic Realistic Pessimistic PERT Predecessors
A 3 5 15 6.3 None
B 3 7 14 7.5 None
C 3 4 10 4.83 None
D 6 9 12 9 A,B
E 4 6 9 6.17 B,C
F 7 14 15 13 C
G 7 12 18 12.17 D,F
H 5 9 13 9 G,F
PERT is given the formula = Optimistic time + (4 * Realistic time) + Pessimistic time /6
1. What is the shortest possible duration for this project?
The shortest possible time is the PERT weighted average time which is
(6.3+7.5+4.83+9+6.17+13+12.17+9) = 67.97 days
2. What sequence of tasks form the critical path?
ADBECFGH
3. How much free float (=slack) can be found in task F?
One day
4. Once the project begins, it is assumed that task A takes 10 days instead of the estimated
6.3 days. Assuming all other tasks are completed on time, how long will the project
take?
The project will take (10+7.5+4.83+9+6.17+13+12.17+9) = 71.67 days

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Discussion Question #4inital prompt
Critical path is the longest path taken from the start of the project to the end. Any activity on the
critical path cannot be moved to the next not until the predecessor activity has been
accomplished. Therefore, in my view CPM does not assume infinite resources when creating
the initial project network because one has to determine the longest path by involving all
activities to identify the longest path (Kerzner, H., & Kerzner, H. R, 2017). For real world
project critical path is a smart assumption because CPM does not move to the next activity
until the predecessor is completed, which means there is no single activity that will be
delayed.
Response prompt
Response to Saruta Alvarez-Balseca
I agree with you that critical path method is a step-by-step technique that has to be
accomplished prior to the project completion. However, critical path is the longest path that
the path that takes the longest time from the commencement of the project to completion. I
also agree with your definition as the shortest path through a project. Once there is a delay in
one or more activities on the critical path, then the entire project will be delayed. Indeed, the
critical path method is a significant tool to project management because it effectively helps in
managing different task by scheduling them accordingly and keeping track of all activities by
displaying them in a network diagram. The network diagram uses arrows that link project
activities which are represented as nodes.
Response to MeChell Hays
Indeed, critical path method (CPM) maps the critical steps in a project, it is not
necessarily supposed to be a complex project but any project by illustrating the sequence of

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activities. CPM takes the longest path starting from the first activity to the end, hence it can
be used to determine the duration of the project. Any activity on the critical path cannot be
moved to the next not until the predecessor activity has been accomplished. However, if the
activity is delayed for a specified number of days say three days, the whole project will be
delayed for those three days not unless the activity following the delayed one is completed
three days earlier. The critical path is a significant tool in a project because it aids to manage
any project type. Once CPM has been identified, it becomes clear to know where the efforts
can be compromised.

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Learning Journal #
Summary
During the fourth week of my course learning about essential of project management, I
learned a number of significant information. To begin with, the information taught during this time is
not only useful to my academic excellence in the course but also in my future endeavours as a project
manager. During the project I learnt that project management is the ability for one to apply skills,
knowledge, tools and techniques to different project activities so that to be in a position to realize and
even exceed the needs and expectations of stakeholders from a project.
Secondly, I learned that any successful project commences will planning. After planning as a
project manager one then develops the project schedule with the aid of six critical process that is
defining the project scope, conducting work breakdown, developing estimate for tasks, precedence
programming, conducting critical path analysis and developing the schedule (Kerzner, H., &
Kerzner H. R., 2017). The project plan is created by combining the project schedule together with
other information.
The work breakdown allow the project manager with the ability to arrange information in
form of “spreadsheet-like” software tools, which allow the manager to include task dependencies, add
durations and resources. Various project management software tools are used to split the task into
small manageable activities such as Microsoft Project, Primavera Project and Zoho Project (Harrison,
& Lock, 2017). The use of software tools in project management has both advantages and
disadvantages. Some of the advantages of using software tools include
 It has helps in setting up and managing complicated projects
 It allow the project manager the opportunity to view and track the project periodically with
the software performing complicated work.
 It integrates significant project management data from different sources.

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 Offers resources management tools
The disadvantages of using software tools include:
 It may be challenging to learn how to use these tools.
 When wrong information is fed into the software, it will automatically provide faulty
information.
Nonetheless, despite the software tools having some drawbacks it is highly recommended that
all projects are run with the help of a software. The use of software tools allow the manager to work
effectively on even the most complex projects particularly when it comes to computing budgets and
critical paths.
Application
After learning and acquired several skills and information regarding project management it
will apply these skills in my professional life in a number of ways. First, in my professional life as a
project manager before starting any project that I will given responsibility to lead the first step will
always be planning. Project planning helps the project manager to seek for relevant information on
how to solve a problem. Planning will enable me to identify the problem to solved. After I have
identified the problem to be resolved, the next step will be to explore the necessary resources,
equipment and the duration needed to complete the project to resolve the problem.
The next step after presenting the necessary project requirements is to breakdown the project
into small manageable activities using a software tool such as Zoho Project or Microsoft Project.
Once I will have divided the project tasks into small activities I will then develop time estimate taken
to complete each task. In order to successfully schedule my project activities I will apply the critical
path analysis knowledge. Critical path is a strategy that help in ensuring that the project meets the
deadline. Critical path analysis entails several steps such as:
 Splitting the projects into tasks

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 Estimating tasks
 Creating a network diagram
 Draw an initial Gantt chart
 Conduct resource levelling
 Compress the schedule.
The critical path is significant because through it I will be in a position to perform a program
evaluation and review technique. PERT is a vital planning tool in project management because it
helps the project manager to come up with the most realistic time that a project will take to be
complete. This techniques is significant because it makes the work of the project manager to become
easier in terms of scheduling and coordination of project teams.
Challenges
The major challenge that I experienced during this week’s material is planning the progress of
the project. Planning involves a range of steps such as defining scope, conducting work breakdown,
and estimating time that each task will take. Indeed, the planning process is a hard process because it
determine all the follow up project activities, which is challenging because failure to plan well it will
result in chaos as the project progress. I was able to resolve the problem of planning different task by
using project management software tools like Microsoft project and Zoho Project. Microsoft project
plays a significant role in project management because it helps the manager in the development of the
project schedule, allocation of resources to every task, managing the budget, tracking the progress of
the project and analysing workloads (Newcomer, Hatry, & Wholey, 2015).
Determining the time taken to complete a project was another challenging part during this
week’s material. In order to determine the duration that a project will take to be accomplished was not
an easy task; I had to seek the help of Program Evaluation Review Technique (PERT). PERT is a
project management estimation technique that illustrates the time taken by each task as well as the
total time needed to complete the project. PERT works by splitting the project into activities and
events and then lays down a sequence, connection and the time taken to form the network. The lines

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that link all the project events are referred to as paths (Meredith, Mantel Jr, & Shafer, 2017). The
longest path that results from all the events is known as critical path. To find the duration of the
project the critical path is used. When there is any delay to the critical path, it leads to the whole
project delaying. Therefore, I was able to understand how to calculate the time taken to complete a
project with the help of PERT.
Questions (2 bullet points)
 There are various type of project management software that we have discussed about in the
course such as Zoho Project, Microsoft Project and primavera Project. Among the three
software which is the best for use in complex projects?
 What is the difference between the three software management projects?
 Based on this week’s material PERT is regarded as the best technique for determining the
duration taken by the project. What are some of the challenges that a project manager is likely
to experience chaklenges when using PERT to estimate the duration of a project.

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Case Study Assignment D-Uploader
Activity Name Activity Predecessors
Project planning activities A None
Project control B A
Measure current demand C A
Predict future demand D C
Understand type, levels,
reasons
E A
Brainstorm metrics F C,E
Construct models G D,F
Develop post-tactical org
model
H G
Develop 3-5 scenarios (model) I H
Select best scenarios (Model) J I
Develop org future state K J
Needs analysis L G
Build staff transaction plans M H,L
Develop communication plans N M
Develop communication O N

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materials
Develop training plan P M
Engage support areas Q L
Engage tech teams R L
Hire train and install staff S M,Q,R
Launch communications T O
Measure actual vs. metrics U S,T
Adjust staffing as needed V U
Project closure activities W A,B,V
Critical path
ACDGHIJLMNOTUVW
References

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Meredith, J. R., Mantel Jr, S. J., & Shafer, S. M. (2017). Project management: a managerial
approach. New York: John Wiley & Sons.
Newcomer, K. E., Hatry, H. P., & Wholey, J. S. (Eds.). (2015). Handbook of practical
program evaluation. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass & Pfeiffer Imprints, Wiley.
Kerzner, H., & Kerzner, H. R. (2017). Project management: a systems approach to planning,
scheduling, and controlling. New York: John Wiley & Sons.
Harrison, F., & Lock, D. (2017). Advanced project management: a structured approach.
London: Routledge.