Network Analysis

1. A research project consists of eleven activities identified by their beginning (i) and ending
nodes (j) as under. Three time estimates have also been specified against each activity.

Activity Estimated duration (weeks)

(i-j) Optimistic Most likely Pessimistic
time (a) time(m) time(b)
1-2 6 7 8
1-3 4 5 12
1-4 2 10 12
2-5 3 7 11
3-6 10 20 48
3-7 6 9 18
4-6 3 3 9
5-8 3 3 9
6-9 8 18 40
7-8 2 6 10
8-9 2 5 14

a) Calculate expected time of each activity.

b) Construct the network diagram for the above project.
c) Enter the expected time of the activities computed under (a) into the network.

2. Computation of the earliest and latest start and finish times of the activities and their floats.

Activity Events comprising Activity

the activity duration
Tail Head (tij)
(I) (j)
A 1 2 8
B 1 3 5
C 1 4 13
D 3 5 12
E 4 5 66
F 2 6 6
G 5 6 7
H 5 7 9
I 6 8 8
J 7 8 2
K 8 9 6

3. PERT calculations of a small project yield the length of 24 weeks with variance of 9 weeks.
a) What is the probability that the project will be completed within (i) 24 weeks (ii) 18 weeks (iii)
30 weeks
b) Within how many weeks do you expect the project to get completed with the probability of
0.95?
c) If the network of the above project has two critical paths each of 24 weeks duration with
variance of 9 weeks and 16 weeks respectively, what will be the probability of completing the
project within (i) 24 weeks (ii) 21 weeks (iii) weeks.
4.. A marketing organization is planning a questionnaire survey on behalf of their client to assess
market potential of instant foods. The following activities are involved in this project:
Task Duration(days)
Precedence Optimistic Most(likely) Pessimistic
A. Design 2 3 4
questionnaire
B.Sample design 6 10 20
C.Testing of 2 4 6
questionnaire
and refinements
D.Recruiting
interviewers B 2 3 10
E.Training of D,A 1 1 1
interviewers
F.Allocation of B 4 5 6
interviewers
to territories
G.Conducting C,E,F 5 12 25
interviews
H.Evaluation of results G 6 10 20
a) Find the expected duration and variance of each task.
b) Draw an arrow diagram (network) of the project.
c) Identify the critical path.
d). Find the expected duration of the project.
e) Calculate the probability that the critical path does not exceeds 45 days.

Problem5.
A management institute plans to organize a conference on use of “Operation Research for decision
making” . In order to co-ordinate the project , it has decided to use a PERT network. The major
activities and time estimates for activity has been compiled as follows:
SL.NO Activity description Time estimate (a- Activity that must
m-b) precede
A Design conference meeting theme 1-2-3 None
B Design front cover of conference 1-2-3 A
proceedings
C Design brochure 1-2-3 A
D Compile list of distinguished speakers 2-4-6 A
E Finalize brochure and print it 2-5-14 C and D
F Make travel arrangements for distinguished 1-2-3 D
speakers.
G Send brochures 1-3-5 E
H Receive papers for conference 10-12-20 G
I Edit papers 3-5-7 H
J Print proceedings 5-10-15 B and I

(a) Draw the network.

(b) Calculate expected time for each activity and variance for each activity.
(c) Calculate EST, EFT, LST, LFT, TF
(d) Identify critical path.
(e) Find the probability that the project will be completed in ‘n’ days.