Project Management Solution C12

Project Management, 2e (Pinto)
Chapter 12 Resource Management

12.1
True/False
1) There is, for almost all projects, usually a dominant constraint that serves
as the final arbiter of project decisions.
Answer: TRUE
Diff: 1
Section: 12.1 The Basics of Resource Constraints
Skill: Definition
AACSB Tag: Reflective
2) In a resource constrained project, the work must be finished by a certain tim
e, or date, as efficiently as possible.
Answer: FALSE
Diff: 1
Skill: Definition
3) All that is needed to create a resource loading calendar is the work breakdow
n structure and the activity network.
Answer: FALSE
Diff: 2
Section: 12.2 Resource Loading
Skill: Factual
4) Because resource management is typically a multivariate, combinatorial proble
m (i.e., on that is characterized by multiple solutions involving literally doze
ns, hundreds, or even thousands of activity variables) truly correct answers are
not possible.
Answer: FALSE
Diff: 2
Section: 12.3 Resource Leveling
Skill: Definition
5) A resource loading table is created through identifying the project activitie
s and their resources required to completion and applying this information to th
e project schedule baseline.
Answer: TRUE
Diff: 2
Skill: Factual
6) If resources have been over-allocated, the loading table must be reconfigured
to eliminate resource contention points. The project manager can focus solely o
n the original point of contention since the activities in a project are separat
e entities.
Answer: FALSE
Diff: 2
Skill: Conceptual
7) Resource loading charts are used to display the amount of resources required
as a function of time on a graph.
Answer: TRUE
Diff: 2
Section: 12.4 Resource Loading Charts
Skill: Definition
8) If an activity can be split, only the functional portion of the original acti
vity needs to be accomplished for the project to be fully completed.
Answer: FALSE
Diff: 2
Skill: Factual
9) The problem of resource underutilization that a project manager faces when ma
naging a single project disappears in the multi-project environment.
Answer: FALSE
Diff: 2
Section: 12.5 Managing Resources in Multiproject Environments
Skill: Factual
10) In-process inventory represents the amount of work waiting to be completed b
ut delayed due to unavailable resources.
Answer: TRUE
Diff: 2
Skill: Factual
12.2
Fill in the Blank
1) The __________ is primarily limited by availability of a type of labor or pro

ductive asset but may also contain some activities of work package elements that
must be finished by a certain date.
Answer: mixed-constraint project
Diff: 1
Skill: Factual
2) The best method for establishing the existence of resource conflicts across p
roject activities uses __________ to analyze project resources against scheduled
activities over the project's baseline schedule.
Answer: resource loading charts
Diff: 1
Skill: Factual
3) The concept of __________ refers to the amounts of individual resources that
a schedule requires during specific time periods.
Answer: resource loading
Diff: 2
Skill: Definition
4) The work breakdown structure and activity networks are needed to create a res
ource __________ or __________.
Answer: loading form, usage calendar

Diff: 2
Skill: Factual
5) __________ is the process that addresses the complex challenges of project co
nstraints as to minimize the effects of resource demands across the project's li
fe cycle.
Answer: Resource leveling (resource smoothing)
Diff: 2
Skill: Definition
6) One heuristic for prioritizing resource allocation is to apply resources to a
ctivities with the smallest __________, which proponents say results in the smal
lest schedule slippage in the overall project.
Answer: slack
Diff: 2
Skill: Factual
7) As resource leveling proceeds, a(n) __________ commonly occurs when the resou
rce schedule is reworked to eliminate sources of resource conflict.
Answer: ripple effect
Diff: 2
Skill: Conceptual
8) __________ are used to display the amount of resources required as a function
of time on a graph.
Answer: Resource loading charts
Diff: 2
Skill: Definition
9) __________ an activity means interrupting the continuous stream of work on an
activity at some midpoint in its development process and applying that resource
to another activity for some time period before returning the resource to compl
ete the original task.
Answer: Splitting
Diff: 2
Skill: Definition
10) Schedule slippage often results in financial penalties, or __________, for e
ach day a project is delayed past the contracted delivery date.
Answer: liquidated damages
Diff: 2
Skill: Factual
12.3
Multiple Choice
1) A project that must be finished by December 31st is:

A) time-constrained.
B) resource-constrained.
C) mix-constrained.
D) capacity-constrained.
Answer: A
Diff: 1
Skill: Definition
2) The One Shovel Construction Company is hired by the City of Edmond to lay sew
er pipe from the east end of town to the west end of town. While the crew would
like to begin at both ends simultaneously and have a dramatic ceremony when both
ends meet, they find themselves with a bit of a:
A) time constraint.
B) resource constraint.
C) mixed constraint.
D) partial network.
Answer: B
Diff: 1
Skill: Conceptual
3) The assistant professor frantically prepared his tenure and promotion dossier
for the personnel committee. The deadline loomed and he had several other thing
s to accomplish deadlines for papers and key correspondence that demanded replies. B
y his reckoning, he probably didn't have enough toner, paper, or computing time
available to accomplish all that he had left to do. His project is unfortunately
a:
A) time constrained one.
B) resource constrained one.
C) mix-constrained one.
D) personally constrained one.
Answer: C
Diff: 1
Skill: Conceptual
4) The best method for establishing the existence of resource conflicts across p
roject activities uses:
A) Gantt charts.
B) network diagrams.
C) Pareto diagrams.
D) resource loading charts.
Answer: D
Diff: 1
Skill: Definition
5) The amounts of individual resources that a schedule requires during specific
time periods is referred to as the resource's:
A) loading.
B) capacity.
C) constraint.
D) drag
Answer: A
Diff: 1
Skill: Definition
6) A resource loading form is also known as a(n):
A) load schedule.
B) resource usage calendar.
C) activity resource schedule.
D) network resource profile.
Answer: B
Diff: 2
Skill: Definition
7) A resource loading form can be generated once you have developed:
A) the activity network and productivity profile.
B) the work breakdown structure and the project budget.
C) the activity network and the work breakdown structure.
D) the project budget and the productivity profile.
Answer: C
Diff: 2
Skill: Factual
8) Which of the following would NOT typically be displayed in a resource loading
table?
A) the project team members
B) the tasks the project team members have been assigned
C) the time the activities are expected to take
D) the expenses allocated to the activities
Answer: D
Diff: 2
Skill: Factual
9) Use the resource loading table to determine which of the Yaki sisters is over
-allocated.
Resource
Suki
64
A
16
C
24
D
24
Terri 40
B
24
E
16
hrs
hrs
hrs
hrs
hrs
hrs
hrs
Work
Work
Work
Work
Work
Work
Work
Work
Details 23-Oct 30-Oct

32h
32h
16h
16h
8h
24h
16h
16h
8h
16h
8h
8h
8h
A) Suki
B) Terri
C) Both
D) Can't be determined from the information provided.
Answer: A
Diff: 2
Skill: Definition

10) The process that addresses the complex challenges of project constraints is
known as:
A) TOC.
B) resource leveling.
C) constraint scheduling.
D) resource scheduling.
Answer: B
Diff: 2
Skill: Definition
11) Which of these statements about resource management is best?
A) A mathematically optimal solution is almost always attainable and should be p
ursued.
B) The project manager should level resources as to maximize fluctuations from t
ime period to time period.
C) A common approach to analyzing resource-leveling problems is to apply heurist
ics.
D) Resource management is usually a univariate, combinatorial problem.
Answer: C
Diff: 2
Skill: Conceptual
12) The project described in the table uses the same resource for activities A,
B, C, and D. Which activity gets first use of this resource if we assign the res
ource based on the activity with the smallest amount of slack?
Activity
W
4
A
3
B
4
C
5
D
6
E
1
Z
7
Duration
-12
W
16
W
15
W
13
W
14
B
17
A,E,C,D 18
Predecessor
WBS ID
A) Activity A
B) Activity B
C) Activity C
D) Activity D
Answer: D
Diff: 2
Skill: Analytical
AACSB Tag: Analytic Skills
ource based on the activity with the shortest duration?
Activity
W
4
A
3
B
4
C
5
Duration
-12
W
16
W
15
W
13
Predecessor
WBS ID
D
E
Z
6
1
7
W
14
B
17
A,E,C,D 18
A) Activity A
B) Activity B
C) Activity C
D) Activity D
Answer: A
Diff: 1
Skill: Analytical
ource based on the activity with the greatest number of successor tasks?
Activity
W
4
A
3
B
4
C
5
D
6
E
1
Z
7
Duration
-12
W
16
W
15
W
13
W
14
B
17
A,E,C,D 18
Predecessor
WBS ID
A) Activity A
B) Activity B
C) Activity C
D) Activity D
Answer: B
Diff: 1
Skill: Analytical
ource based on the activity with the lowest activity identification number?
Activity
W
4
A
3
B
4
C
5
D
6
E
1
Z
7
Duration
-12
W
16
W
15
W
13
W
14
B
17
A,E,C,D 18
A) Activity A
B) Activity B
C) Activity C
D) Activity D
Answer: C
Diff: 1
Skill: Analytical
Predecessor
WBS ID
16) Use the project described in the table to determine the total resources requ
ired for activity D if a worker is expected to work half-time (four hours per da
y) on this project.
Activity
A
5
B
4
C
5
D
6
E
6
F
6
days
days
days
days
days
days
Duration
-A
A
B
C,D
E
Predecessor
A) 6 hours
B) 40 hours
C) 24 hours
D) 48 hours
Answer: C
Diff: 1
Skill: Analytical
ired for this project if a worker is expected to devote half-time (four hours pe
r day) to this project.
Activity
A
5
B
4
C
5
D
6
E
6
F
6
days
days
days
days
days
days
Duration
-A
A
B
C,D
E
Predecessor
A) 36 hours
B) 40 hours
C) 64 hours
D) 128 hours
Answer: D
Diff: 2
Skill: Analytical
ired for this project on day 2 if a worker is expected to devote half-time (four
hours per day) to this project.
Activity
A
5
B
4
C
5
D
6
E
6
F
6
A)
B)
C)
D)
4
2
8
6
days
days
days
days
days
days
hours
hours
hours
hours
Duration
-A
A
B
C,D
E
Predecessor
Answer: A
Diff: 1
Skill: Analytical
ired for this project during week 1 if a worker is expected to devote half-time
(four hours per day) to this project. Assume that the project work is conducted
on a 5-day-per-week basis.
Activity
A
5
B
4
C
5
D
6
E
6
F
6
days
days
days
days
days
days
Duration
-A
A
B
C,D
E
Predecessor
A) 40 hours
B) 20 hours
C) 28 hours
D) 36 hours
Answer: B
Diff: 1
Skill: Analytical
ired for this project during week 2 if a worker is expected to devote half-time
(four hours per day) to this project. Assume that the project work is conducted
on a 5-day-per-week basis.
Activity
A
5
B
4
C
5
D
6
E
6
F
6
days
days
days
days
days
days
Duration
-A
A
B
C,D
E
Predecessor
A) 30 hours
B) 20 hours
C) 40 hours
D) 36 hours
Answer: C
Diff: 2
Skill: Analytical
ired for this project on day 10 if a worker is expected to devote half-time (fou
r hours per day) to this project. Assume that the project work is conducted on a
5-day-per-week basis.
Activity
Duration
A
5 days -B
4 days A
Predecessor
C
D
E
F
5
6
6
6
days
days
days
days
A
B
C,D
E
A) 5 hours
B) 10 hours
C) 4 hours
D) 8 hours
Answer: D
Diff: 2
Skill: Analytical
22) Use the information in the table and assume that a worker is expected to dev
ote half-time (four hours per day) to this project with work taking place on a 5
-day-per-week basis. Which week has the lowest resource usage?
Activity
A
5
B
4
C
5
D
6
E
6
F
6
days
days
days
days
days
days
Duration
-A
A
B
C,D
E
Predecessor
A) week 6
B) week 2
C) week 4
D) week 3
Answer: A
Diff: 2
Skill: Analytical
-day-per-week basis. Which week has the highest resource usage?
Activity
A
5
B
4
C
5
D
6
E
6
F
6
days
days
days
days
days
days
Duration
-A
A
B
C,D
E
A) week 6
B) week 2
C) week 4
D) week 3
Answer: B
Diff: 2
Skill: Analytical
Predecessor
-day-per-week basis. Which week has the highest resource usage?
Activity
A
-B
A
C
A
D
B
E
B
F
B
G
C,D
H
E,F
J
G,H
K
J
Predecessor
4
6
4
11
5
5
4
6
4
6
6
3
8
11
8
8
3
10
6
4
Hours per Day
Time (Days)
A) week 4
B) week 5
C) week 6
D) week 7
Answer: C
Diff: 3
Skill: Analytical
day per week basis. Which week has the lowest resource usage?
Activity
A
-B
A
C
A
D
B
E
B
F
B
G
C,D
H
E,F
J
G,H
K
J
Predecessor
4
6
4
11
5
5
4
6
4
6
6
3
8
11
8
8
3
10
6
4
Hours per Day
Time (Days)
A) week 3
B) week 2
C) week 9
D) week 8
Answer: D
Diff: 3
Skill: Analytical
-day-per-week basis. What is the total resource requirement for the project?
Activity
A
-B
A
C
A
Predecessor
4
6
4
11
5
5
Hours per Day
Time (Days)
D
E
F
G
H
J
K
B
B
B
C,D
E,F
G,H
J
4
4
6
8
8
3
6
6
6
3
11
8
10
4
A) 365 hours
B) 335 hours
C) 320 hours
D) 310 hours
Answer: A
Diff: 3
Skill: Analytical
-day-per-week basis. What is the total resource requirement for activity G?
Activity
A
-B
A
C
A
D
B
E
B
F
B
G
C,D
H
E,F
J
G,H
K
J
Predecessor
4
6
4
11
5
5
4
6
4
6
6
3
8
11
8
8
3
10
6
4
Hours per Day
Time (Days)
A) 22 hours
B) 88 hours
C) 44 hours
D) 132 hours
Answer: B
Diff: 1
Skill: Analytical
-day-per-week basis. If the project manager is told that the total number of hou
rs per week cannot exceed 48, what is the first week that some resource leveling
must occur?
Activity
A
-B
A
C
A
D
B
E
B
F
B
G
C,D
H
E,F
J
G,H
Predecessor
4
6
4
11
5
5
4
6
4
6
6
3
8
11
8
8
3
10
Hours per Day
Time (Days)
A) week 2
B) week 6
C) week 4
D) week 5
Answer: C
Diff: 3
Skill: Analytical
29) A project consisting of six activities is represented in the resource loadin
g table shown below. There is a limit of 12 hours time spent on this project for
any given day. What activities are involved in the first resource problem in th
is schedule?
Act.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
19
A
B
4
C
D
4
E
4
F
6
10
20
4
11
21
4
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
4
4
5
A) Activities A, B, and C
B) Activities B, C, and D
C) Activities C, D, and E
D) Activities D, E, and F
Answer: D
Diff: 1
Skill: Analytical
30) A project consisting of six activities is represented in the resource loadin
g table shown below. There is a limit of 12 hours time spent on this project for
any given day. Which activity should be left alone if at all possible in the ad
justment process among the candidates?
Act.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
19
A
B
4
C
D
4
E
4
F
6
10
20
4
11
21
4
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
4
4
5
A) Activity D
B) Activity C
C) Activity F
D) Activity E
Answer: A
Diff: 2
Skill: Analytical
31) A resource loading chart displays:
A) the amount of time needed as a function of resource limits.
B) the amount of resources required as a function of time.
C) the amount of time needed as a function of money.
D) the amount of resources needed as a function of money.
Answer: B
Diff: 2
Skill: Definition
32) Splitting activities refers to:
A) assigning the work to two or more workers.
B) assigning the work to two or more days.
C) starting an activity, interrupting it to use a resource elsewhere, and then r
eturning to work on the activity.
D) breaking each non-critical activity into two or more components and subdividi
ng the resources they use by a similar divisor.
Answer: C
Diff: 2
Skill: Analytical
33) Use this resource load chart to determine which activity uses the fewest res
ources.
A) Activity
B) Activity
C) Activity
D) Activity
Answer: D
Diff: 2
A
B
C
D

Skill: Analytical
34) Use this resource load chart to determine which activity uses the greatest n
umber of resources.
A) Activity A
B) Activity B
C) Activity C
D) Activity D
Answer: A
Diff: 2
Skill: Analytical
35) Use this resource load chart to determine which activity is the longest in d
uration.
A) Activity A
B) Activity B
C) Activity C
D) Activity D
Answer: B
Diff: 1
Skill: Analytical
36) The project represented by this resource load chart has a maximum limit of 6
units of resource activity in any day. The first activities that are strong can
didates for shifting are:
A) Activity A
B) Activities B and C
C) Activities D and E
D) Activity E and F
Answer: C
Diff: 2
Skill: Analytical
37) The project represented by this resource load chart has a maximum limit of 6
units of resource activity in any day. Which activity could be split to help th
e project team finish on time and meet the resource cap?
A) Activity A
B) Activities B and C
C) Activities D and E
D) Activity E and F
Answer: D
Diff: 2
Skill: Analytical
38) Penalty clauses for schedule slippage are sometimes referred to as:
A) liquidated damages.
B) punitive damages.
C) temporal assessments.
D) late fees.
Answer: A
Diff: 2
Skill: Definition
39) The amount of work waiting to be completed but delayed due to unavailable re
sources is known as:
A) resource utilization.
B) in-process inventory.
C) resource underutilization.
D) efficiency.
Answer: B
Diff: 2
Skill: Definition
40) Excessive in-process inventory is often caused by:
A) schedule slippage.
B) over-ordering supplies.
C) lack of available resources.
D) too much labor.
Answer: C
Diff: 2
Skill: Factual
41) Consider the portfolio of projects described in the table. The resource requ
irements are in numbers of labor hours. The First in Line rule would begin work
with project:
Project
3
A
B
C
D
Date Rec'd
Date Due
Resource 1
Resource 2
Apr
Feb
Mar
Jan
Oct
Sep
Aug
Nov
125
200
100
150
100
400
200
350
2006
2006
2006
2006
2006
2006
2006
2006
200
350
650
250
Resource
A) A.
B) B.
C) C.
D) D.
Answer: A
Diff: 1
Skill: Analytical
irements are in numbers of labor hours. The Greatest Resource Demand rule would
begin work with project:
Project Date Rec'd
3
Date Due
Resource 1
Resource 2
Resource
A
B
C
D
Apr
Feb
Mar
Jan
2006
2006
2006
2006
Oct
Sep
Aug
Nov
2006
2006
2006
2006
200
125
100
150
350
200
650
250
400
100
200
350
A) A.
B) B.
C) C.
D) D.
Answer: A
Diff: 2
Skill: Analytical
irements are in numbers of labor hours. The Greatest Resource Utilization rule w
ould begin work with project:
Project
3
A
B
C
D
Date Rec'd
Date Due
Resource 1
Resource 2
Apr
Feb
Mar
Jan
Oct
Sep
Aug
Nov
200
150
0
150
400
170
200
0
2006
2006
2006
2006
2006
2006
2006
2006
0
200
250
100
Resource
A) A.
B) B.
C) C.
D) D.
Answer: B
Diff: 2
Skill: Analytical
44) The Minimum Late Finish Time rule stipulates that:
A) the earliest late finishers are scheduled last.
B) the latest early finishers are scheduled first.
C) the earliest late finishers are scheduled first.
D) the latest late finishers are scheduled first.
Answer: C
Diff: 1
Skill: Definition
45) Mathematical programming is sometimes used to generate optimal solutions to
resource constrained problems in a multi-project setting but suffers from:
A) an inability to model project and activity due dates.
B) resource substitution.
C) resource constraints.
D) problem complexity.
Answer: D
Diff: 2
Skill: Conceptual
12.4
Essay
1) What are the three types of constraints that projects face; provide examples
and suggest ways to address these constraints?
Answer: The three main types of constraints that a project manager faces are ti
me constraints, resource constraints, and mixed constraints. Examples of each wi
ll vary.
In the time-constrained project, the work must be finished by a certain time, or
date, as efficiently as possible. In the resource-constrained project, the work
must not exceed some predetermined level of resource use within the organizatio
n. While the project is to be completed as rapidly as possible, speed is not the
ultimate goal. The mixed-constraint project is primarily resource constrained b
ut may contain some activities or work package elements that are time constraine
d to a greater degree.
Time constraints can be addressed by increasing the percentage of worked time un
til the due date by working overtime or on weekends and holidays. Increasing the
labor pool through dedicated personnel or subcontractors or automating processe
s, buying more powerful or efficient equipment, or improving work methods can al
l help speed up a project. Resource constraints may be addressed by leveling a p
roject or extending the time available. Mixed constraints can be addressed by so
me combination of these techniques.
Diff: 2
Skill: Factual
2) Use this activity precedence table to create a resource loading profile. Acti
vity lengths are given in days and an 8-hour day is assumed.
Activity
A
2
B
3
C
6
D
5
E
3
F
2
G
2
Time
Predecessor
A
B
A
C
D
E,F
Answer: The loading chart is as follows:

Task
10
A
B
C
8
D
E
8
F
G
8
Total
8
1
11
8
2
12
8
3
13
4
14
5
15
6
16
8
8
16
16
8
8
8
8
16
8
16
8
16
8
16
8
16
8
16
8
16
The loading profile shows the number of hours required for each of the 14 days o
f the project.
Diff: 2
Skill: Analytical
3) Describe resource leveling its objectives and the basic five-step technique to pe
rform it.
Answer: Resource leveling is the process that addresses the complex challenges
of project constraints. With resource leveling we are required to develop proced
ures that minimize the effects of resource demands across the project's life cyc
le. Resource leveling has two objectives:
- to determine the resource requirements so that they will be available at the r
ight time, and
- to allow each activity to be scheduled with the smoothest possible transition
across usage levels.
The basic steps necessary to produce a resource-leveled project schedule include
the following:
- Create a project activity network diagram.
- From this diagram, create a table showing the resources required for each acti
vity, the activity durations, and total float available.
- Develop a time-phased resource loading table that shows the resources required
to complete each activity, the activity early starts, and late finish times.
- Identify any resource conflicts and begin to smooth the loading table using on
e or more of the heuristics for prioritizing resource assignment across activiti
es.
- Repeat the fourth step as often as necessary to eliminate the source of resour
ce conflicts.
Diff: 2
Skill: Conceptual
4) What are any four heuristics for prioritizing resource allocation to activiti
es? Why would a project manager choose one above another?
Answer: The decision rules for prioritizing resource allocation discussed in th
e text are:
- activities with the smallest amount of slack,
- activities with the smallest duration,
- activities with the lowest identification number,
- activities with the most successor tasks,
- activities requiring the most resources.
These decision rules can be applied more easily than searching for an optimal or
near optimal solution given the complexity of a typical resource management pro
blem. The first rule, prioritizing activities with the smallest slack has some s
upport for resulting in the smallest overall schedule slippage. The fourth rule
allows for completing the greatest number of tasks once the activity in question
has been completed. There may be any number of individual circumstances why one
rule is more appealing than another.
Diff: 2
Skill: Conceptual
5) Create a resource loading table and perform resource leveling on the project
composed of the activities in this table. Activities listed in the table are mea
sured in the number of eight-hour days. The maximum amount of time used per day
is 16 hours.
Activity
A
6
B
1
C
2
D
4
E
1
F
1
G
6
H
4
J
4
K
3
L
5
M
3
Time
--A, B
-C, D
E
E
F
F
G, H
J, K
L
Predecessor
Answer: The initial resource loading table with early starts is shown below:
Act
10
20
A
B
C
D
E
F
8
G
8
H
8
J
8
K
8
L
8
M
8
Tot.
16
8
1
11
21
8
8
2
12
22
8
3
13
23
8
4
14
24
8
5
15
25
8
6
16
26
8
7
17
8
18
9
19
8
24
24
8
8
16
24
8
16
24
8
16
24
8
8
8
8
8
8
8
8
8
8
8
8
8
Day 1 is problematic, but activities B and D both have plenty of slack. Activity
B has a late start of 5 and D has a late start of 4. Starting D on Day 2 change
s the schedule the least and keeps the project under 16 hours per day until Day
11. Activities G, H, and J combine for 24 hours on Days 11-14; G has no slack, H
has 1 day slack, and J has 4 days slack. Move J back to a Day 15 start time to
resolve this constraint and the new loading table appears below:
Act
10
20
A
B
C
D
E
1
11
21
8
8
2
12
22
8
3
13
23
8
4
14
24
8
5
15
25
8
6
16
26
8
7
17
8
18
9
19
F
8
G
8
H
8
J
8
K
8
L
8
M
8
Tot
16
8
8
16
16
8
8
16
16
8
16
16
8
16
16
8
16
16
8
8
16
8
8
16
8
16
8
8
Diff: 3
Skill: Analytical
6) Sam and Dave have identified 9 activities that are required to complete their
next project and developed a snazzy resource loading table. Since they each wor
k 8 hours a day, they need your help to perform resource leveling on their proje
ct such that they can finish it by the close of business on Day 24. Activity flo
at times are indicated by bracketed cells in the table. Times indicated in the t
able are in hours; the top row shows the day number of the project. The total pr
oject. The total resource time in any day cannot exceed 16 hours.
10
20
Z
Y
X
]
W
]
V
6]
T
]
S
8
R
]
P
6
Total
6
6
1
11
21
6
8
8
2
12
22
6
8
8
3
13
23
6
8
8
4
14
24
]
8
8
5
15
6
16
7
17
8
18
8]
9
19
5
6
8]
4
6
22
8
6
6
22
8
6
6
22
8
6
6
21
8
6
6]
19
8
19
8
19
8
17
8
11
6
Answer: Pushing activities X, T, and R back to their late start times accomplis
hes the objective of finishing on time and at less than 16 hours of labor each d
ay.
Activity
9
19
Z
Y
X
8
W
V
6
T
6
S
8
R
4
P
6
Total
14
6
10
20
6
8
11
21
6
8
12
22
6
8
13
23
14
24
15
16
17
5
6
13
8
11
6
6
14
16
6
6
14
16
6
6
14
16
6
6
13
14
6
6
13
14
13
14
13
12
18
Diff: 3
Skill: Analytical
7) What resources have been initially over-allocated in the project described by
the table? Assume that all activities will begin at their early start times and
require the number of hours per day indicated in the table. Each worker is avai
lable for 8 hours per day. Do not level this project.
Activity
er Day
A
9
B
8
C
13
D
11
E
6
F
9
G
9
H
9
M
9
J
4
K
1
L
11
Activity Length Predecessor

--A
B
B
C
D
E
F, G
F, H
M, J
K
Lisa
Nathan
Jake
Nathan
Jake
Lisa
Jake
Lisa
Nathan
Lisa
Nathan
Jake
Resource
Resource Hours P
1
7
6
6
4
4
5
6
7
2
6
7
Answer: Resource loadings are summarized in the table. Over-allocations occur w

ith Lisa on day 23; Jake on days 10-14 and again on days 20-22.
Worker Days
Lisa
1-9
10-14
15-22
23
24-31
32-35
36-52 1
0
6
Loading
10
4
2
0
Nathan
9-19
20-31
32-40
41
42-52
6
0
7
6
0
Jake
9
10-14
15-19
20-22
23-28
29-41
42-52
4
10
6
11
5
0
7
1-8
1-8
Diff: 2
Skill: Analytical
8) Create a resource loading chart using early start times for the project descr
ibed by this table.
Activity
A
14
B
2
C
4
D
9
E
8
F
2
G
3
H
5
K
1
L
13
Time
--A
B
C
C
D
F, G
E
H, K
Predecessor
4
5
5
4
5
3
2
4
3
4
Task
Answer: The early start times appear in this table.

Activity
A
14
B
2
C
4
D
9
E
8
Time
0
0
14
2
18
Early Start
4
0
5
6
5
0
4
6
5
0
Resources
Slack
F
G
H
K
L
2
3
5
1
13
18
11
20
26
27
3
2
4
3
4
2
6
2
0
0
Diff: 3
Skill: Analytical
9) Create a resource loading chart for the project described by this network.
Answer: Activities R and W gerrymander a bit and are indicated by shaded polygo
ns.
Diff: 3
Skill: Analytical
10) Use this resource loading chart and the information in the table to fill in
the rest of the table as completely as possible. All activities in the chart are
shown with early start times.
Activity
Duration
Start Early
Finish Resources
Slack
A
-B
9
A
C
5
A
D
B
E
11
D
F
C, E
G
9
E
H
8
F, G
Predecessors
Early
Answer: Regarding durations; activity A lines up neatly with major tic marks. A
ctivities B and D must total 15 in length and activities E, F, and G must total
30. Resource use is open to some interpretation. Activities A, B, C, and F all l
ine up with major tick marks; the remainder of the activities can be guesstimate
d.
Activity
Duration
Start Early
Finish Resources
Slack
A
15
-0
B
9
A
15
C
5
A
15
D
6
B
24
E
11
D
30
F
11
C, E
41
G
9
E
41
H
8
F, G
52
Predecessors
Early
15
24
20
30
41
52
50
60
0
0
21
0
0
0
2
0
10
5
10
12
6
5
4
2.5
Diff: 2
Skill: Analytical
11) Create a resource loading chart for the project described by this table and
then adjust activities by splitting them or delaying them in order to meet the r
esource constraints of 8 hours of work per day. Show your new resource loading c
hart, indicating which activities have been adjusted. What is the change in proj
ect completion dates?
Activity
G
5
F
2
D
4
R
3
W
5
M
4
K
4
Z
2
Time
--G
F
D
R
M, W
K
Predecessor
5
1
3
1, 2
2
2
5
3
4
1, 3
7
3
3
2, 3
6
2
Resource Time/Day
Resource
Answer: The initial resource loading chart is below; project completion time is
20 days but the combination of activities R and G and activities M and D exceed
the 8-hour-per-day threshold.
Activities R and M both have 5 days of slack; if activity R is delayed until day
5, it will begin then and be completed on day 8. M must be delayed until D is
completed, which will then delay the project's completion by 4 days.
Diff: 3
Skill: Analytical
12) What are the trade-offs among schedule slippage, resource utilization, and i
n-process inventory for a project manager in a multi-project environment?
Answer: Schedule slippage is a negative consequence on time performance for a p
roject. Resource utilization is the degree to which available resources are depl
oyed and in-process inventory represents the amount of work waiting to be comple
ted but delayed due to unavailable resources. Resource utilization can be increa
sed by deploying all available resources as fully as possible.
Diff: 1
Skill: Conceptual
13) What are any three common heuristics that can be used to schedule resources
in a multi-project environment? Comment on their advantages and disadvantages.
Answer: The heuristics discussed in the text are first in line, greatest resour
ce demand, greatest resource utilization, minimum late finish time, and mathemat
ical programming.
- The first in line heuristic allocates resources based upon which project enter
s the queue first. This is the easiest heuristic to follow, but it can defy comm
on sense in favor of ease of use.
- The greatest resource demand decision rule determines which projects in the co
mpany's portfolio will pose the greatest demand on available resources; these pr
ojects are allocated resources first and then other projects are scheduled. The
assumption being made is that projects that are more consumptive of resources ar
e likely sources of bottlenecks, so these activities should be accommodated firs

t and the rest of the system subordinated to the bottlenecks' needs. This rule a
nd the greatest resource utilization rule may result in dedicating too many reso
urces to a project that simply isn't profitable or has poor margins when compare
d with projects that may represent low hanging fruit.
- Greatest resource utilization is a slight variation on the greatest resource d
emand heuristic. Projects with high levels of resource utilization are scheduled
first, resulting in good performance on the utilization performance measure. If
other projects are added to the company portfolio while the first project is st
ill viable, the utilization of resources may remain high when the new projects a
re considered with the existing projects.
- The minimum late finish time prioritizes projects with minimal slack, in effec
t keeping them as close as possible to on schedule. Projects with more slack can
wait a while for the resources without becoming late. The danger is that resour
ce starvation of projects with seemingly abundant slack may result in every proj
ect in the portfolio being delivered late.
- Mathematical programming can generate optimal decisions to resource constraine
d problems. While solutions are optimal, the problem set up and solution can be
extraordinarily complex.
Diff: 1
Skill: Conceptual
14) What is mathematical programming, how can it be applied to resource decision
s, and what are the advantages and disadvantages of doing so?
Answer: Math programming is sometimes used to generate optimal solutions to res
ource-constrained problems in the multi-project setting, just as it can be emplo
yed for single projects. The common goals of minimizing total development time a
nd lateness and maximizing resource utilization across all projects can all be a
ddressed by mathematical programming. The constraints of limited resources, prec
edence relationships among activities and projects, due dates, opportunities for
activity splitting, concurrent and otherwise activity performance requirements,
and resource substitution limit our ability to achieve the aforementioned goals
. While mathematical programming can achieve an optimal solution to these proble
ms, its use is limited due to the complexity of the problem, the large number of
computational variables, and the time necessary to generate a sufficiently smal
l set of options.
Diff: 2
Skill: Conceptual

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Project Management, 2e (Pinto)

Chapter 12 Resource Management

Fill in the Blank

1) The __________ is primarily limited by availability of a type of labor or pro

Answer: loading form, usage calendar

1) A project that must be finished by December 31st is:

Details 23-Oct 30-Oct

AACSB Tag: Reflective

Hours per Day

Hours per Day

Hours per Day

Hours per Day

Hours per Day

Section: 12.4 Resource Loading Charts

Answer: The loading chart is as follows:

Activity Length Predecessor

Answer: Resource loadings are summarized in the table. Over-allocations occur w

Answer: The early start times appear in this table.

e likely sources of bottlenecks, so these activities should be accommodated firs

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