Chapter 6
“ Network Model “
1-1
Dr . Mohamed Mousa
Introduction about Network Model :
Network Model :
Schedule converts action plan into operating time
table.
Basis for monitoring and controlling project.
Scheduling more important in projects than in
production, because unique nature.
Based on Work Breakdown Structure (WBS).
Dr . Mohamed Mousa 1-2
Introduction about Network Model :
Graphical portrayal of activities and event
Shows dependency relationships between
tasks/activities in a project
Clearly shows tasks that must precede
(precedence) or follow (succeeding) other
tasks in a logical manner
Clear representation of plan – a powerful
tool for planning and controlling project
Dr . Mohamed Mousa 1-3
Definition of Terms in a Network :
Activity : any portions of project (tasks) which required
by project, uses up resource and consumes
time – may involve labor, paper work,
contractual negotiations, machinery operations
Activity on Arrow (AOA) showed as arrow, AON
– Activity on Node
Event : beginning or ending points of one or more
activities, instantaneous point in time, also
called ‘nodes’
Network : Combination of all project activities and the events
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Emphasis on Logic in Network Construction:
Construction of network should be based on logical or
technical dependencies among activities
Example - before activity ‘Approve Drawing’ can be
started the activity ‘Prepare Drawing’ must be completed
Common error – build network on the basis of time logic
(a feeling for proper sequence ).
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Example 1- A simple network :
Consider the list of four activities for making a simple product:
Activity Description Immediate
predecessors
A Buy Plastic Body -
B Design Component -
C Make Component B
D Assemble product A,C
Immediate predecessors for a particular activity are the activities
that, when completed, enable the start of the activity in question.
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Sequence of activities :
Can start work on activities A and B anytime, since neither
of these activities depends upon the completion of prior
activities.
Activity C cannot be started until activity B has been
completed
Activity D cannot be started until both activities A and C
have been completed.
The graphical representation (next slide) is referred to as the
PERT/CPM network.
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Network of Four Activities :
Arcs indicate project activities
A D
1 3 4
B C
Nodes correspond to the beginning and
ending of activities
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Example 2 :
Develop the network for a project with following activities
and immediate predecessors :
Activity Immediate
predecessors
A -
B -
C B
D A, C
E C
F C
G D,E,F
Try to do for the first five (A,B,C,D,E) activities
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Network of First Five activities :
A D
1 3 4
E
B
C 5
2
We need to introduce
a dummy activity
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Activity, duration, ES, EF, LS, LF
EF = earliest finish time
Activity
ES = earliest start time
A B
0 0 4 6
1 2
4
t = expected activity
time
1-11
Dr . Mohamed Mousa
An Important Example:
The following information about starting a new business
is given below :
ACTIVITES ACTIVITY PATH TIMES (WEKLY)
A 1:2 11
B 1:3 7
C 2:3 8
R
D 3:4 13
E 2:4 5
F 4:5 8
G 2:5 10
Required:
1- Draw network model ? Determine critical Path ?
2-Determine Earliest start time – Latest start time – Slack time ?
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Solution
1- Draw network model :
G
11 11 40 40
A 10
2 5
E
0 0 11 5
8 C F
1
B 8
7 32 32
19 19 D
4
3
13
Dr . Mohamed Mousa 1-13
1- critical Path :
From the previous network model the critical Path is
as follow:
1- (1:2), (2-5) = 21 W
2- (1-2) , (2-4), (4-5) = 24 W
3- (1-2) , (2-3) , (3-4) ,(4-5) = 40 W
4- (1-3) , ( 3-4) , (4-5) = 28 W
---------------------------------------------------------------
Then ( CPM )Represent the longest path, it takes 40 w
Dr . Mohamed Mousa 1-14
Activity schedule for our example
Activity Earliest Latest Earliest Latest Slack Critical
start (ES) start (LS) finish (EF) finish (LF) (LS-ES) path
A 0 0 11 11 0 Yes
B 0 19 0 19 19
C 11 11 19 19 0 Yes
D 19 19 32 32 0 Yes
E 11 32 11 32 21
F 32 32 40 40 0 Yes
G 11 40 11 40 29
15
Importance of Float (Slack) and Critical Path :
Slack or Float shows how much allowance each
activity has, I .e how long it can be delayed without
affecting completion date of project.
Critical path is a sequence of activities from start to
finish with zero slack. Critical activities are
activities on the critical path.
Critical path identifies the minimum time to
complete project.
If any activity on the critical path is shortened or
extended, project time will be shortened or extended
accordingly.
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The Next Lecture
PERT Cost Model
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