Chapter 9 Study Guide Solutions

Selected Solutions to Problems in Chapter 9

Problem 1

A project network is shown below. The time in weeks for each activity are listed in the table below.
Use a forward and a backward pass to determine the critical path.

A202
A22
A20
A201

Start A23 A203

A21 Finish
A24
A204

Activity Time in
Weeks
A22 5
A23 4
A24 8
A20 4
A21 12
A203 10
A202 3
A204 2
A201 5

Activity Precedence Time in ES LS EF LF Slack

Activities Weeks
A22 --- 5 0 5 3 8 3
A23 --- 4 0 4 4 8 4
A24 --- 8 0 8 0 8 0
A20 A22, A23 4 5 9 8 12 3
A21 A23, A24 12 8 20 8 20 0
A203 A23, A20 10 9 19 12 22 3
A202 A22, A203 3 19 22 19 22 0
A204 A21, A203 2 20 22 20 22 0
A201 A203, A202, 5 22 27 22 27 0
A204
Finish A201 --- --- --- 27 --- ---

Critical path = A24-A21-A202-A204-A201

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 Chapter 9 Study Guide Solutions

Problem 2

A project network is shown below. The time in weeks for each activity are listed in the table below.
Use a forward and a backward pass to determine the critical path.

T202
T22

T203

Start T23
T201
T21
Finish
T24
T204

Activity Time in
Weeks
T22 8
T23 2
T24 5
T21 3
T203 7
T202 6
T204 12
T201 10

Critical path = T23-T203-T202-T201

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 Chapter 9 Study Guide Solutions

Problem 3

A senior QM/MS case study project team has developed the following schedule of activities for
their project, using their best estimate of completion times. Draw the project network and find the
critical path. Can they complete the project in the 38 class days remaining until the end of the
semester?

Activity Time Immediate

(in days) Predecessors
1 Contact Client 4 -
2 Write Proposal 2 1
3 Obtain Approval 3 2
4 Complete Computer 9 3
Programming
5 Complete Industry 5 -
Literature Review
6 Write Final Draft 6 4,5
7 Complete Oral 5 4,5
Report

Project Network
1 Contact 2 Write
Client Proposal
3 Obtain
Approval

Start
4Complete
5Complete Computer
Industry Programming
Literature
Review

6Write
Final
7Complete
Draft Oral Report

Finish

Earliest, Latest, and Slack Times

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Critical path = 1, 2, 3, 4, 6

Yes, 38 days will be enough to finish the project.

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 Chapter 9 Study Guide Solutions

Problem 4

One of the seniors hears that if they purchase an upgrade for their programming software package,
they can complete the final draft in just 3 days and complete the programming in just 5 days. By
saving this time the group can cash in on the "deal" offered by Binkos copies and save $10 on the
printing for each day earlier the project is completed. One of the group members says they will
save $70 total (7 days * $10 day). Is this correct? How does this reduction in time for writing the
final draft effect the overall network?

Activity Time New Time Immediate

(in days) (in days) Predecessors
1 Contact Client 4 4 -
2 Write Proposal 2 2 1
3 Obtain Approval 3 3 2
4 Complete Computer 9 5 3
Programming
5 Complete Industry 5 5 -
Literature Review
6 Write Final Draft 6 3 4,5
7 Complete Oral 5 5 4,5
Report

1 Contact 2 Write
Client Proposal
3 Obtain
Approval

Start
4Complete
5Complete Computer
Industry Programming
Literature
Review

6Write 7Compelte
Final Oral Report
Draft

Finish

Earliest, Latest, and Slack Times

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 Chapter 9 Study Guide Solutions

Buying the software saves them 5 days total and therefore saves them $50. No, the
group member is not correct in saying the group would save $70.

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 Chapter 9 Study Guide Solutions

Problem 5

Given the following activity times and precedence, create a network and find the critical path.

Activity Precedence Time in

Weeks
A23 --- 10
A22 A23 4
A20 A22 2
A202 A22 2
A24 A23 6
A21 A23, A20 3
A201 A202 4
A203 A21,A201 6
A205 A202 5
A204 A24 4

Network
A202 A205

A22

Finish
A20 A201
Start A23

A21 A203

A24 A204

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 Chapter 9 Study Guide Solutions

Critical path = A23-A22-A202-A201-A203

Problem 6

A CD-ROM manufacturing guide gives the following numbered steps.

1. Print CD labels
2. Print CD case labels
3. Transfer files to CD software
4. Begin CD burning
5. Stuff CD case labels
6. Attach CD labels
7. Return finished CD into CD case

Although the steps are numbered, they do not always reflect immediate precedence
relationships. Develop a table that lists the immediate predecessors for each activity.

Activity Immediate Precedence

Print CD Labels ---
Print CD case labels Print CD Labels
Stuff CD case labels Print CD case labels
Attach CD labels Print CD Labels
Transfer files to CD ---
software
Begin burning a labeled Transfer files to CD
CD software
Return finished CD into a Begin burning a labeled
labeled CD case CD

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 Chapter 9 Study Guide Solutions

Problem 7

Given the following network with activities and times estimated in days.

Activity Optimistic Most Pessimistic Precedence

Probable
A 2 5 6 ---
B 1 3 7 ---
C 6 7 10 A,B
D 5 12 14 C
E 3 4 5 C
F 8 9 12 D,E

Create a network that follows the precedence set above.

Network

A D

C F

Start

B E

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 Chapter 9 Study Guide Solutions

Problem 8

Given the following network with activities and times estimated in days.

Activity Optimistic Most Pessimistic Precedence

Probable
A 2 5 6 ---
B 1 3 7 ---
C 6 7 10 A,B
D 5 12 14 C
E 3 4 5 C
F 8 9 12 D,E

What are the estimated times and variances for the activities?

Estimated Times And Variances For The Activities

Activity Expected Variance

Time
A 4.67 0.44
B 3.33 1.00
C 7.33 0.44
D 11.17 2.25
E 4.00 0.11
F 9.33 0.44

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 Chapter 9 Study Guide Solutions

Problem 9

Given the following network with activities and times estimated in days.

Activity Optimistic Most Pessimistic Precedence

Probable
A 2 5 6 ---
B 1 3 7 ---
C 6 7 10 A,B
D 5 12 14 C
E 3 4 5 C
F 8 9 12 D,E

a. What are the critical path activities?

b. What is the expected time to complete the project?

Activity Precedence Time in ES LS EF LF Slack

Activities Days
A --- 4.67 0 0 4.67 4.67 0
B --- 3.33 0 1.34 3.33 4.67 1.34
C A,B 7.33 4.67 4.67 12 12 0
D C 11.17 12 12 23.17 23.17 0
E C 4.00 12 11.17 16 23.17 7.17
F D,E 9.33 23.17 23.17 32.5 32.5 0
Finish F --- --- --- 32.5 --- ---

Critical path = A-C-D-F

Expected time to complete = 32.5 days

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