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Tutorial 03(with answers)

Project management (The University of the South Pacific)

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IS333: Project Management Tutorial 03 Questions 2022

IS333: Project Management

Tutorial 03

Tutorial 03

Project Scheduling (Networks, Duration Estimations, and Critical Path

1. List three methods for deriving duration estimates for project activities. What are the strengths
and weaknesses associated with each method?
a. One method for deriving time estimates is past experience. This method is
beneficial in that it is Easy and uses past examples of similar activities to
predict future Time estimates. However, it is limited in that estimate can
be destroyed by extenuating circumstances, changes in time and
conditions, and information obsolescence
b. Another master use expert opinions. Again, the approach is simple to use and draws on
experience and knowledge of experts. The shot coming here involve potential inadequacy of
staff (at least relative to the expert giving the opinion) and project-specific-complications.
c. A third method employs mathematical derivations. This approach is more objective and
allows multiple estimates ( based on best, most likely and worst case analysis). The
weaknesses of this method are that it is slightly more difficult to use an eat discard pass
failures (a.k.a. lessons learned)
2. In your opinion, what are the chief benefits and drawbacks of using beta distribution calculations
(based on PERT techniques) to derive activity duration estimates?
Benefits:
 Beta distribution allows for likelihood that Optimistic and pessimistic times will not be
symmetrical
 By including realistic estimates of pessimistic and optimistic durations, beta distribution creates a
more accurate distribution of alternative duration times. Deterministic.
Drawbacks:
 One drawback to this method is that it relies on estimates of pessimistic and optimistic time
estimates, which are not reliable.
 There has also been some debate related to how the time estimates in this method should be
calculated and/ or interpreted
3. “The shortest total length of a project is determined by the longest path through the network.”
Explain the concept behind this statement. Why does the longest path determine the shortest
project length?
 This is based on the concept of critical path.
 The critical path combines the project activity network have activity networks ( the order
to be followed for start/completion of activities) at the estimated duration of activities in
the sequence ( how long each activity will take to complete) to determine the length of
time required to complete the project.

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IS333: Project Management Tutorial 03 Questions 2022

The longest path of sequential events is used to establish the projects duration because
the events in the path must be performed one after another.
 Adding the duration time of activities in the critical path will result in the shortest project
length (i.e., how long it will take to perform required serial activity) to completion.
4. The float associated with each project task can only be derived following the completion of the
forward and backward passes. Explain why this is true.
 The forward pass established the earliest time that activities in the network can begin and
end.
 The backwards path determines the latest time that activities in the network can begin and
end.
 Float time is the difference between the task’s latest and earliest end time (or the task’s
latest and earliest start time).
 Hence, float cannot be calculated until forward and backward path has been completed.
5. What is the time estimate of an activity in which the optimistic estimate is 4 days, pessimistic is
12 days, and most likely is 5 days? Show your calculations.

6. Using the following information about Project A, its activities and predecessor activities below:

Activity Predecessors
A -
B A
C B
D B
E C, D
F C
G E, F
H D, G

a. Create the Activity Network Diagram using the (AoN) technique.

b. Label all the nodes appropriately

c. Identify the merge activities

E,G
d. Identify the burst activities
B,C
7. The following table contains the pessimistic, likely, and optimistic estimates for how long activities are
estimated to take for Project A in Q6.

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IS333: Project Management Tutorial 03 Questions 2022

Activity Pessimistic Likely Optimistic

A 7 5 2
B 5 3 2
C 14 8 6
D 20 10 6
E 8 3 3
F 10 5 3
G 12 6 4
H 16 6 5

a. Calculate the time estimates (TE)

Activity Pessimistic Likely Optimistic

A 7 5 2 4.8 =5 0.69
B 5 3 2 3.2 =3 0.25
C 14 8 6 8.7 =9 1.78
D 20 10 6 11 5.44
E 8 3 3 3.8 =4 0.69
F 10 5 3 5.5 =6 1.36
G 12 6 4 6.7 =7 1.78
H 16 6 5 7.5 =8 3.36

b.Calculate the variance (s2)

c.Convert the TE to whole integers and place them in the network diagram for each activity. d.
Identify the critical path.
A-B-C-F-G-H and A-B-D-E-G-H = 38
e. Do the forward pass and calculate ES and EF.

f. Do the backward pass and calculate LS and LF.

g. Determine the Slack or Float for each activity. (no)

h. Is the critical path the same as in (d)? yes

i. What is the project’s standard deviation?

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IS333: Project Management Tutorial 03 Questions 2022

j. What is the probability of project completion within 40 days?

8. Using the following information about Project B, its activities and predecessor activities below:

Activity Predecessors
A -
B A
C A
D B
E C
F C
G D, E
H F, G

a. Create the Activity Network Diagram using the (AoN) technique.

b. Label all the nodes appropriately (as above)

c. Identify the merge activities (Merge activities are G and H)
d. Identify the burst activities (Burst activities are A and C)

9. The following table contains the pessimistic, likely, and optimistic estimates for how long activities are
estimated to take for Project B.

Activity Pessimistic Likely Optimistic

A 9 7 4
B 7 5 4

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IS333: Project Management Tutorial 03 Questions 2022

C 16 10 8
D 22 12 8
E 10 5 5
F 12 7 5
G 14 8 6
H 18 8 7

a. Calculate the time estimates (TE)

Activity Pessimistic Likely Optimistic

A 9 7 4 6.8=7 0.69
B 7 5 4 5.2=5 0.25
C 16 10 8 10.7=11 1.78
D 22 12 8 13 5.44
E 10 5 5 5.8=6 0.69
F 12 7 5 7.5=8 1.36
G 14 8 6 8.7=9 1.78
H 18 8 7 9.5=10 3.36

b.Calculate the variance (s2)

c.Convert the TE to whole integers and place them in the network diagram for each activity. d.
Identify the critical path.
A-B-D-G-H=44
e. Do the forward pass and calculate ES and EF.

f. Do the backward pass and calculate LS and LF.

g. Determine the Slack or Float for each activity.
E-1
F-2
C-1
h. Is the critical path the same as in (c)? YES
i. What is the project’s standard deviation?
2

e. What is the probability of project completion within 45 days?

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IS333: Project Management Tutorial 03 Questions 2022

10. Draw the AON diagram for the table given below.

Activity Duration Predecessors

A 2 -
B 3 A(SS)
C 4 B
D 3 C(SS2)

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