Project Planning & Estimating

Q1 A well-known major professional institution has decided to replace its existing, in-house membership database
with a package-based system. It has drawn up a short-list of 4 off-the-shelf packages, but none meet its outline
requirements completely. An outline plan for the remaining tasks in this project has been drawn up as follows:

A Compare the four packages and select one (6 weeks)

B Amend this selected package (10 weeks)

C Specify and design data for system testing (6 weeks)

D Design and prepare a user training course (4 weeks)

E Design and develop a data migration program (8 weeks)

F Carry out system testing (3 weeks)

G Run the user training course (4 weeks)

H Test the data migration program (4 weeks)

I Carry out user acceptance testing (3 weeks)

J Implement the replacement database system (1 week)

Tasks B, C, D and E are all dependent on task A.

Task F cannot start until tasks B and C are both completed.
Task G cannot start until tasks B and D are both completed.
Task H is dependent solely on task E.
Task I cannot start until tasks F, G and H are all completed.
Task J is dependent solely on task I.

a) Draw an Activity on Node diagram for this project, showing all dependencies and the earliest start time, latest
finish time, duration and float for each task. Highlight the critical path and calculate its duration.

b) At the end of task A it is realized that task B can be reduced from 10 to 6 weeks, but task F should be extended
from 3 to 5 weeks. Re-calculate ALL the earliest and latest start times, and floats to reflect these two changes
and identify any changes to the critical path.

c) In some circumstances a Gantt chart might be used as an alternative to a network diagram.

i. Give TWO advantages, with a brief explanation of each, of a using a Gantt chart when compared with a
network diagram.
ii. Give TWO advantages, with a brief explanation of each, of a using a network diagram when compared with
a Gantt chart.
Q2 The sales department in your company, who have their own in-house sales system, are being relocated to new
offices where they will also have a new server–based sales database system. The IT section has set out an outline
plan for the IT aspects of the move, with 9 main tasks (with estimated durations on weeks):

Duration
Identifier Activity
(weeks)
A order and deliver the new database system and server 4

B design and install the network infrastructure 7

C order, deliver and install new PCs and printer 9

D test the database system, server and network 3

E test the PCs with the server and network 2

F copy existing sales data to the new database system 1

G copy other existing PC software to the new PCs 3

H test all software and database on the new PCs and server 1

I train users 2

Tasks A, B and C can be undertaken at the same time, but A and B must be completed before D can start. Tasks C
and D must be completed before E can begin. E must be completed before F and G can start. F and G can be
undertaken at the same time, but both must be completed before H can start. I must follow H.

Draw a network diagram (Activity-on-Node) for this project, showing (on the diagram) the earliest and latest
start dates, the earliest and latest finish dates, duration and float for each task.
Provide a node key explaining the layout and contents of the nodes used in your diagram.
Draw a Gantt chart for the same project tasks, showing each of these tasks, all dependencies and each task’s
duration.
Highlight the critical path on each diagram.
What is the total duration of this critical path?
Q3 Your company is expanding rapidly and has decided to buy in and install an off-the-shelf (O-T-S) ledger package
to replace the existing manual system. This will need new equipment and network cabling throughout the
offices. You are to manage this project. You have drawn up an outline project plan to include the following main
tasks:

Task Weeks

A Interview accounts staff, draw up and agree a list of main requirements 6

B Assess alternative O-T-S packages and select the most appropriate. 6

C Specify and order all the required new hardware and communications equipment. 3

D Test and install all the new hardware and equipment. 9

E Modify and test the package software. 15

F Install the package software 1

G Specify and obtain the accounts data required to implement the system 6

H Draw up a training plan. 3

I Train the users 9

J Draw up an acceptance test plan 3

K Acceptance testing 4

L Load data and implement the new system. 3

a) Draw a work breakdown structure (WBS) diagram for the project, to show all the planned tasks. This WBS should
contain at least two levels.

b) Explain the main differences between this WBS and a product breakdown structure (PBS) diagram for the same
project.

c) The dependencies between the 12 tasks listed above are:

B depends on A
C, E, H and J all depend on B
D depends on C
F depends on D and E
G depends on E
I depends on H
K depends on F, I and J
L depends on G and K
Draw a full Gantt chart for the project, showing all dependencies and floats and highlighting the critical path.

d) At the end of week 24, tasks A, B, C, D, H, I and J have been completed on schedule, and task E is continuing on
schedule. However it is realised that task F will now take 3 weeks, starting from week 28.
Re-draw the Gantt chart to reflect this progress to date, making any necessary changes, and highlight the critical
path.
Q4 A small research organization is extending its operation and database systems to cover the whole country. This
will require extended software, additional equipment and more staff – all to be based mainly in the existing
offices.

The outline plan for this rapid growth includes the following main tasks:

Activity description Weeks

Confirm the hardware sizing for the extended requirements, the software changes, the
A 3
number of new staff and the additional equipment required for them

B Order, deliver and install all additional computing and communications equipment 10

C Modify and extend all software for additional functionality 8

D Recruit and train new staff 11

Capacity testing of extended software on enhanced hardware and communications

E 1
equipment

F Functional testing of all extended software 2

G Full acceptance testing all extended software on new hardware; 2

H Implement fully the extended systems. 1

Tasks B, C and D can all run simultaneously but all are dependent on task A.
Task E is dependent on tasks B and C.
Task F is dependent only on task C.
Task G is dependent on tasks E and F.
Task H cannot start until tasks D and G are completed.

a) Draw a full activity-on-node diagram for this project, showing clearly the earliest and latest start and end dates,
and the float, for each node. No start or end nodes are required. Highlight and name the critical path, together
with the minimum duration for the project.

b) The staff recruitment and training (task D) takes two weeks longer than planned to be completed. Identify and
explain briefly the resultant changes to the activity-on-node diagram and critical path.

c) Draw a Gantt chart for the revised project, incorporating the change to task D as specified in part (b). Show all
task durations, dependencies, float and the critical path.