Answer to question 1: Work breakdown items in building network diagram
Work Breakdown Structure
1. Wedding project
1.1 Decide on date
1.2 Marriage license
1.3 Ceremony
1.3.1 Rent church
1.3.2 Florist
1.3.3 Create/print programs
1.3.4 Hire photographer
1.3.5 Wedding ceremony
1.4 Guests
1.4.1 Develop guest list
1.4.2 Order invitations
1.4.3 Address and mail invitations
1.4.4 Track RSVPs
1.5 Reception
1.5.1 Reserve reception hall
1.5.2 Food and beverage
1.5.2.1 Choose caterer
1.5.2.2 Decide on menu
1.5.2.3 Make final order
1.5.3 Hire DJ
1.5.4 Decorate reception hall
1.5.5 Wedding reception
Answer to question 2:
2.1 Network diagram
| ID | Predecessor |
| Activity A | None |
| Activity B | A |
| Activity C | A |
| Activity D | B |
| Activity E | B |
| Activity F | C,D |
| Activity G | C |
| Activity H | E,F,G |
Figure 1: Network diagram
(Source: Created by author)
2.2 Activity as burst and merge
| Activity A | Burst activity |
| Activity B | Burst activity |
| Activity C | Burst activity |
| Activity D | Merge activity |
| Activity E | Merge activity |
| Activity F | Merge activity |
| Activity G | Merge activity |
| Activity H | Merge activity |
Answer to question 3:
- An uncertain event or condition that, if it occurs, has a positive or negative effect on project objectives is known as a risk.
- The risk assessment form identifies each risk event, the likelihood of it occurring, the potential impact, when it may occur, and the degree of difficulty in detecting it.
- When considering risk response development, passing risk to another party instead of changing it is known as transference the risk.
- The event or point in time when a contingency plan will be implemented is called a risk management.
- The first step in the risk management process is risk assessment and analysis stage.
Answer to question 4:
4.1 Early, late and slack times
Figure 2: Network diagram
(Source: Created by author)
| EE | ||||||||||||
| ME |
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
| ID/RES | ES | LS | EF | LF | SL |
| 1-EE | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| 2-EE | 0 | 0 | 4 | 4 | 0 |
| 3-ME | 0 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 0 |
| 4-EE | 2 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 0 |
| 5-ME | 3 | 3 | 9 | 9 | 0 |
| 6-ME | 4 | 4 | 6 | 6 | 0 |
| 7-EE | 3 | 3 | 7 | 7 | 0 |
4.2 Project duration
The resource has extended the duration of the project from 9 days to 11 days.
4.3 Slack for activity 2, activity 6 and activity 7
| Activity | Slack |
| Activity 2 | 0 |
| Activity 6 | 0 |
| Activity 7 | 0 |
Answer to question 5:
- To compress from time period 16 to time 15, crash the following activity(s):
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
- What is the adjusted total cost at time period 15?
Answer: The adjusted total cost at time period 15 is $1,600.
- To compress from time period 15 to time 14, crash the following activity(s):
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
- What is the adjusted total cost at time period 14?
Answer: The adjusted total cost at time period 14 is $1,580.
- To compress from time period 14 to time 13, crash the following activity(s):
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
- What is the adjusted total cost at time period 13?
Answer: The adjusted total cost at time period 13 is $1,660.
Calculation is shown as below:
The duration of the project is to be reduced from time period 16 to 13. Following steps are to be followed:
Step 1:
= 11 time periods
= 16 time periods
= 8 time periods
The project is included three paths: A-B-C-F-H takes 11 time periods, A-B-D-G-H takes 16 time periods and A-E-H takes 8 time periods. As A-B-D-G-H is critical, therefore this path is taken to reduce the time period. The total direct cost is $1,400.
Step 2:
= 10 time periods
= 15 time periods
= 7 time periods
It is easier to crash activity A, therefore one unit of time period if reduced, therefore A activity has time period of 1. A-B-D-G-H remains critical at 15 time period, and the direct cost is going up to $1,500 as A has crash cost of $100.
Step 3:
= 9 time periods
= 14 time periods
= 7 time periods
The next activity to reduce is crashing activity B by 1 unit of time period. B has a crash cost of $80, therefore the direct cost is $1,580. A-B-D-G-H remains critical at time period of 14.
Step 4:
= 8 time periods
= 13 time periods
= 7 time periods
AS B will be reduced by 1 unit, therefore we again reduce B by 1 unit of time period. The completion is now goes to 13 time period. The crash cost for activity B is $80, therefore the direct cost at time period 13 is $1,660.
Bibliography
Gantt, H., & Adamiecki, K. (2015). Gantt chart.
Harrison, F., & Lock, D. (2017). Advanced project management: a structured approach. Routledge.
Hu, X., Cui, N., & Demeulemeester, E. (2015). Effective expediting to improve project due date and cost performance through buffer management. International Journal of Production Research, 53(5), 1460-1471.
Kerzner, H. (2017). Project management: a systems approach to planning, scheduling, and controlling. John Wiley & Sons.
Long, S., Ng, E. H., Downing, C., & Nepal, B. (2016). Fast-tracking and crashing projects: comprehensive analysis of reasons and of implementation strategies.
Meredith, J. R., Mantel Jr, S. J., & Shafer, S. M. (2017). Project management: a managerial approach. John Wiley & Sons.
Salama, M., & Haniff, A. (2016). 9 Project Scheduling. Project Management.
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