Cascade diagrams – Example 1

The table below shows the tasks involved in a project,

with their durations and immediate predecessors.

Task Duration Immediate

predecessors
A 3 -
B 4 -
C 6 -
D 5 A
E 1 B
F 6 B
G 7 C, D, E
 Cascade diagrams - Example 1

A Initially, put all tasks at their

earliest possible time.
B A, B and C can all start at
time zero.
C

G
2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 Hours
 Cascade diagrams - Example 1

A D can start immediately after

A finishes.
B

G
2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 Hours
 Cascade diagrams - Example 1

A E and F can start

immediately after B finishes.
B

G
2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 Hours
 Cascade diagrams - Example 1

A G is dependent on C, D and
E, so it can start after D
B finishes.

G
2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 Hours
 Cascade diagrams – Example 1

Problem 1

A and B both require the use of the

same piece of equipment. Can the
project still be completed in 15 hours?
 Cascade diagrams - Example 1

A At present, A and B are both

scheduled at the same time.
B Since A is a critical activity,
moving A would result in the
C
project being delayed.
D
Moving B means that E
E and F must also move.

G
2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 Hours
 Cascade diagrams - Example 1

A The project can still be

completed in 15 hours.
B

G
2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 Hours
 Cascade diagrams – Example 1

Problem 2

A and C must both be done by a

qualified person. There is only one
qualified person available. Can the
project still be completed in 15 hours?
 Cascade diagrams - Example 1

A At present, A and C are

scheduled at the same time.
B Again, as A is a critical activity,
it is probably better to move C.
C
C can fly over the first dotted
D line, since neither E nor F
depend on C, but G does
E depend on C.
F

G
2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 Hours
 Cascade diagrams - Example 1

A At present, A and C are

scheduled at the same time.
B Again, as A is a critical activity,
it is probably better to move C.
C
C can fly over the first dotted
D line, since neither E nor F
depend on C, but G does
E depend on C.
F

G
2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 Hours
 Cascade diagrams - Example 1

A At present, A and C are

scheduled at the same time.
B Again, as A is a critical activity,
it is probably better to move C.
C
C can fly over the first dotted
D line, since neither E nor F
depend on C, but G does
E depend on C.
F

G
2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 Hours
 Cascade diagrams - Example 1

A The project can be completed

in 16 hours.
B

G
2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 Hours