Reflection and Discussion Forum Week 6 Reflection and Discussion Forum Week 6Assigned Readings:Chapter. 6 Developing a Projec
Reflection and Discussion Forum Week 6
Reflection and Discussion Forum Week 6Assigned Readings:Chapter. 6 Developing a Project PlanInitial Postings: Read and reflect on the assigned readings for the week. Then post what you thought was the most important concept(s), method(s), term(s), and/or any other thing that you felt was worthy of your understanding in each assigned textbook chapter.Your initial post should be based upon the assigned reading for the week, so the textbook should be a source listed in your reference section and cited within the body of the text. Other sources are not required but feel free to use them if they aid in your discussion.Also, provide a graduate-level response to each of the following questions:
- Why bother creating a WBS? Why not go straight to a project network and forget the WBS?
[Your post must be substantive and demonstrate insight gained from the course material. Postings must be in the student's own words – do not provide quotes!] [Your initial post should be at least 450+ words and in APA format (including Times New Roman with font size 12 and double spaced). Post the actual body of your paper in the discussion thread then attach a Word version of the paper for APA review]
Chapter Six
Developing a Project Plan
6-1
Copyright © 2018 McGraw-Hill Education. All rights reserved. No reproduction or distribution without the prior written consent of McGraw-Hill Education.
6–2
Where We Are Now
Copyright © 2018 McGraw-Hill Education. All rights reserved. No reproduction or distribution without the prior written consent of McGraw-Hill Education.
Project Management 6e.
6-2
Learning Objectives
Understand the linkage between WBS and the project network
Diagram a project network using AON methods
Calculate early, late, and slack activities times
Identify and understand the importance of managing the critical path
Distinguish free slack from total slack
Demonstrate understanding and application of lags in compressing projects or constraining the start or finish of an activity
6–3
Copyright © 2018 McGraw-Hill Education. All rights reserved. No reproduction or distribution without the prior written consent of McGraw-Hill Education.
Chapter Outline
6.1 Developing the Project Network
6.2 From Work Package to Network
6.3 Constructing a Project Network
6.4 Activity-on-Node (AON) Fundamentals
6.5 Network Computation Process
6.6 Using the Forward and Backward Pass
Information
6.7 Level of Detail for Activities
6.8 Practical Considerations
6.9 Extended Network Techniques to Come
Closer to Reality
6–4
Copyright © 2018 McGraw-Hill Education. All rights reserved. No reproduction or distribution without the prior written consent of McGraw-Hill Education.
6–5
Developing the Project Network
The Project Network
A flow chart that graphically depicts the logical sequences, interdependencies, and start and finish times of the project activities along with the longest path(s) through the network—the critical path
Provides the basis for scheduling labor and equipment.
Enhances communication among project participants.
Provides an estimate of the project’s duration.
Provides a basis for budgeting cash flow.
Identifies activities that are critical.
Highlights activities that are “critical” and should not be delayed.
Help managers get and stay on plan.
Copyright © 2018 McGraw-Hill Education. All rights reserved. No reproduction or distribution without the prior written consent of McGraw-Hill Education.
Project Management 6e.
6-5
6–6
From WBS/Work Package to Network
FIGURE 6.1
Copyright © 2018 McGraw-Hill Education. All rights reserved. No reproduction or distribution without the prior written consent of McGraw-Hill Education.
Project Management 6e.
6-6
6–7
Constructing a Project Network
Terminology
Activity: an element of the project that requires time but may not require resources
Merge Activity: an activity that has two or more preceding activities on which it depends (more than one dependency arrow flowing into it)
Parallel Activities: Activities that can occur independently and, if desired, not at the same time
A
C
D
B
Copyright © 2018 McGraw-Hill Education. All rights reserved. No reproduction or distribution without the prior written consent of McGraw-Hill Education.
Project Management 6e.
6-7
6–8
Constructing a Project Network (cont’d)
Terminology
Path: a sequence of connected, dependent activities
Critical Path:
The longest path through the activity network that allows for the completion of all project-related activities
The shortest expected time in which the entire project can be completed.
Delays on the critical path will delay completion of the entire project.
A
B
D
(Assumes that minimum of A + B > minimum of C in length of times to complete activities.)
C
Copyright © 2018 McGraw-Hill Education. All rights reserved. No reproduction or distribution without the prior written consent of McGraw-Hill Education.
Project Management 6e.
6-8
6–9
Constructing a Project Network (cont’d)
Terminology
Burst Activity: an activity that has more than one activity immediately following it (more than one dependency arrow flowing from it)
Two Approaches
Activity-on-Node (AON)
Uses a node to depict an activity.
Activity-on-Arrow (AOA)
Uses an arrow to depict an activity.
B
D
A
C
Copyright © 2018 McGraw-Hill Education. All rights reserved. No reproduction or distribution without the prior written consent of McGraw-Hill Education.
Project Management 6e.
6-9
6–10
Basic Rules to Follow in Developing Project Networks
Networks typically flow from left to right.
An activity cannot begin until all preceding connected activities are complete.
Arrows indicate precedence and flow and can cross over each other.
Each activity must have a unique identify number.
An activity identification number must be greater than that of any predecessor activities.
Looping is not allowed.
Conditional statements are not allowed.
Use common start and stop nodes.
Copyright © 2018 McGraw-Hill Education. All rights reserved. No reproduction or distribution without the prior written consent of McGraw-Hill Education.
Project Management 6e.
6-10
6–11
Activity-on-Node Fundamentals
FIGURE 6.2
Copyright © 2018 McGraw-Hill Education. All rights reserved. No reproduction or distribution without the prior written consent of McGraw-Hill Education.
Project Management 6e.
6-11
6–12
Activity-on-Node Fundamentals (cont’d)
FIGURE 6.2 (cont’d)
Copyright © 2018 McGraw-Hill Education. All rights reserved. No reproduction or distribution without the prior written consent of McGraw-Hill Education.
Project Management 6e.
6-12
6–13
Network Information
TABLE 6.1
Copyright © 2018 McGraw-Hill Education. All rights reserved. No reproduction or distribution without the prior written consent of McGraw-Hill Education.
Project Management 6e.
6-13
6–14
Automated Warehouse—Partial Network
FIGURE 6.3
Copyright © 2018 McGraw-Hill Education. All rights reserved. No reproduction or distribution without the prior written consent of McGraw-Hill Education.
Project Management 6e.
6-14
6–15
Automated Warehouse—Complete Network
FIGURE 6.4
Copyright © 2018 McGraw-Hill Education. All rights reserved. No reproduction or distribution without the prior written consent of McGraw-Hill Education.
Project Management 6e.
6-15
6–16
Network Computation Process
Forward Pass—Earliest Times
How soon can the activity start? (early start—ES)
How soon can the activity finish? (early finish—EF)
How soon can the project finish? (expected time—TE)
Backward Pass—Latest Times
How late can the activity start? (late start—LS)
How late can the activity finish? (late finish—LF)
Which activities represent the critical path?
How long can the activity be delayed? (slack or float—SL)
Copyright © 2018 McGraw-Hill Education. All rights reserved. No reproduction or distribution without the prior written consent of McGraw-Hill Education.
Project Management 6e.
6-16
6–17
Network Information
TABLE 6.2
Copyright © 2018 McGraw-Hill Education. All rights reserved. No reproduction or distribution without the prior written consent of McGraw-Hill Education.
Project Management 6e.
6-17
6–18
Activity-on-Node Network
FIGURE 6.5
Copyright © 2018 McGraw-Hill Education. All rights reserved. No reproduction or distribution without the prior written consent of McGraw-Hill Education.
Project Management 6e.
6-18
6–19
Activity-on-Node Network Forward Pass
FIGURE 6.6
Copyright © 2018 McGraw-Hill Education. All rights reserved. No reproduction or distribution without the prior written consent of McGraw-Hill Education.
Project Management 6e.
6-19
6–20
Forward Pass Computation
Add activity times along each path in the network (ES + Duration = EF).
Carry the early finish (EF) to the next activity where it becomes its early start (ES) unless…
The next succeeding activity is a merge activity, in which case the largest early finish (EF) number of all its immediate predecessor activities is selected.
Copyright © 2018 McGraw-Hill Education. All rights reserved. No reproduction or distribution without the prior written consent of McGraw-Hill Education.
Project Management 6e.
6-20
6–21
Activity-on-Node Network Backward Pass
FIGURE 6.7
Copyright © 2018 McGraw-Hill Education. All rights reserved. No reproduction or distribution without the prior written consent of McGraw-Hill Education.
Project Management 6e.
6-21
6–22
Backward Pass Computation
Subtract activity times along each path starting with the project end activity (LF – Duration = LS).
Carry the late start (LS) to the next preceding activity where it becomes its late finish (LF) unless…
The next succeeding activity is a burst activity, in which case the smallest late start (LS) number of all its immediate successor activities is selected.
Copyright © 2018 McGraw-Hill Education. All rights reserved. No reproduction or distribution without the prior written consent of McGraw-Hill Education.
Project Management 6e.
6-22
6–23
Forward and Backward Passes Completed with Slack Times
FIGURE 6.8
Copyright © 2018 McGraw-Hill Education. All rights reserved. No reproduction or distribution without the prior written consent of McGraw-Hill Education.
Project Management 6e.
6-23
6–24
Determining Total Slack (TS)
Total Slack (or Float)
Tells us the amount of time an activity can be delayed and not delayed the project.
Is how long an activity can exceed its early finish date without affecting the project end date or an imposed completion date.
Is simply the difference between the LS and ES (LS – ES = SL) or between LF and EF (LF – EF = SL).
Copyright © 2018 McGraw-Hill Education. All rights reserved. No reproduction or distribution without the prior written consent of McGraw-Hill Education.
Project Management 6e.
6-24
6–25
Determining Free Slack (FS)
Free Slack (or Float)
Is the amount of time an activity can be delayed after the start of a longer parallel activity or activities.
Is how long an activity can exceed its early finish date without affecting early start dates of any successor(s).
Allows flexibility in scheduling scarce resources.
Only activities that occur at the end of a chain of activities, where you have a merge activity, can have free slack.
Copyright © 2018 McGraw-Hill Education. All rights reserved. No reproduction or distribution without the prior written consent of McGraw-Hill Education.
Project Management 6e.
6-25
6–26
The Critical Path
Is the network path(s) that has (have) the least slack in common.
Is the longest path through the activity network.
Is the shortest expected time in which the entire project can be completed.
Is important because it impacts completion time.
Is where you put best people on.
Is where you pay extra extension when doing risk assessment.
Is where you look when other managers asking to ‘borrow’ people or equipment.
Is where you look when you don’t have time to monitor all activities.
Copyright © 2018 McGraw-Hill Education. All rights reserved. No reproduction or distribution without the prior written consent of McGraw-Hill Education.
Project Management 6e.
6-26
6–27
Network Sensitivity
The likelihood the original critical path(s) will change once the project is initiated.
A network schedule that has only one critical path and noncritical activities that enjoy significant slack would be labeled ‘insensitive’.
Copyright © 2018 McGraw-Hill Education. All rights reserved. No reproduction or distribution without the prior written consent of McGraw-Hill Education.
Project Management 6e.
6-27
6–28
Practical Considerations
Network Logic Errors
Activity Numbering
Use of Computers to Develop Networks (and Gantt Chart)
Calendar Dates
Multiple Starts and Multiple Projects
Copyright © 2018 McGraw-Hill Education. All rights reserved. No reproduction or distribution without the prior written consent of McGraw-Hill Education.
Project Management 6e.
6-28
6–29
Network Logic Errors: Illogical Loop
FIGURE 6.9
Copyright © 2018 McGraw-Hill Education. All rights reserved. No reproduction or distribution without the prior written consent of McGraw-Hill Education.
Project Management 6e.
6-29
6–30
Automated Warehouse Order Picking System Network
FIGURE 6.10
Copyright © 2018 McGraw-Hill Education. All rights reserved. No reproduction or distribution without the prior written consent of McGraw-Hill Education.
Project Management 6e.
6-30
6–31
Automated Order Warehouse Picking System Bar Chart
FIGURE 6.11
Copyright © 2018 McGraw-Hill Education. All rights reserved. No reproduction or distribution without the prior written consent of McGraw-Hill Education.
Project Management 6e.
6-31
6–32
Extended Network Techniques to Come Close to Reality
Laddering
Activities are broken into segments so the following activity can begin sooner and not delay the work.
Lags
The minimum amount of time a dependent activity must be delayed to begin or end.
Lengthy activities are broken down to reduce the delay in the start of successor activities.
Lags can be used to constrain finish-to-start, start-to-start, finish-to-finish, start-to-finish, or combination relationships.
Copyright © 2018 McGraw-Hill Education. All rights reserved. No reproduction or distribution without the prior written consent of McGraw-Hill Education.
Project Management 6e.
6-32
6–33
Example of Laddering Using Finish-to-Start Relationship
FIGURE 6.12
Copyright © 2018 McGraw-Hill Education. All rights reserved. No reproduction or distribution without the prior written consent of McGraw-Hill Education.
Project Management 6e.
6-33
6–34
Use of Lags
FIGURE 6.13
FIGURE 6.14
Finish-to-Start Relationship
Start-to-Start Relationship
Copyright © 2018 McGraw-Hill Education. All rights reserved. No reproduction or distribution without the prior written consent of McGraw-Hill Education.
Project Management 6e.
6-34
6–35
Use of Lags (cont’d)
FIGURE 6.15
Use of Lags to Reduce Schedule Detail and Project Duration
Copyright © 2018 McGraw-Hill Education. All rights reserved. No reproduction or distribution without the prior written consent of McGraw-Hill Education.
Project Management 6e.
6-35
6–36
New Product Development Process
FIGURE 6.16
Copyright © 2018 McGraw-Hill Education. All rights reserved. No reproduction or distribution without the prior written consent of McGraw-Hill Education.
Project Management 6e.
6-36
6–37
Use of Lags (cont’d)
FIGURE 6.17
FIGURE 6.18
FIGURE 6.19
Finish-to-Finish Relationship
Start-to-Finish Relationship
Combination Relationships
Copyright © 2018 McGraw-Hill Education. All rights reserved. No reproduction or distribution without the prior written consent of McGraw-Hill Education.
Project Management 6e.
6-37
6–38
Network Using Lags
FIGURE 6.20
Copyright © 2018 McGraw-Hill Education. All rights reserved. No reproduction or distribution without the prior written consent of McGraw-Hill Education.
Project Management 6e.
6-38
6–39
Hammock Activities
Hammock Activity
Spans over a segment of a project.
Has a duration that is determined after the network plan is drawn.
Is very useful in assigning and controlling indirect project costs.
Is used to aggregate sections of the project to facilitate getting the right level of detail for specific sections of a project.
Copyright © 2018 McGraw-Hill Education. All rights reserved. No reproduction or distribution without the prior written consent of McGraw-Hill Education.
Project Management 6e.
6-39
6–40
Hammock Activity Example
FIGURE 6.21
Copyright © 2018 McGraw-Hill Education. All rights reserved. No reproduction or distribution without the prior written consent of McGraw-Hill Education.
Project Management 6e.
6-40
6–41
Key Terms
Activity
Activity-on-arrow (AOA)
Activity-on-node (AON)
Burst activity
Concurrent engineering
Critical path
Early time
Free slack
Gantt chart
Hammock activity
Lag relationship
Late time
Merge activity
Parallel activity
Sensitivity
Total slack
Copyright © 2018 McGraw-Hill Education. All rights reserved. No reproduction or distribution without the prior written consent of McGraw-Hill Education.
Project Management 6e.
6-41
6–42
Shoreline Stadium Case
TABLE 6.3
Copyright © 2018 McGraw-Hill Education. All rights reserved. No reproduction or distribution without the prior written consent of McGraw-Hill Education.
Project Management 6e.
6-42
Collepals.com Plagiarism Free Papers
Are you looking for custom essay writing service or even dissertation writing services? Just request for our write my paper service, and we'll match you with the best essay writer in your subject! With an exceptional team of professional academic experts in a wide range of subjects, we can guarantee you an unrivaled quality of custom-written papers.
Get ZERO PLAGIARISM, HUMAN WRITTEN ESSAYS
Why Hire Collepals.com writers to do your paper?
Quality- We are experienced and have access to ample research materials.
We write plagiarism Free Content
Confidential- We never share or sell your personal information to third parties.
Support-Chat with us today! We are always waiting to answer all your questions.
