Revision Question 1

(a) Comment as to whether you agree with the following statement:

“Tasks C, D and F each have 2 weeks of float (free slack)” (8 marks)

MARK SCHEME (a)

Candidates are expected to develop a network diagram along the following lines (but
this is not a strict requirement of the question).

This shows that the critical path runs through tasks A, B, E and G. Task C
clearly has 2 weeks of float (free slack). Award up to 3 marks for the above
analysis.

But Tasks D and F share 2 weeks of float (free slack). The statement given is
incorrect: both do not have 2 weeks. Either one or the other can have 2 weeks,
or they could have 1 week each but not 2 week each, otherwise the critical
path would be impacted and the entire project delayed. Award up to 5 marks
for the above analysis.

(b) Assuming all tasks will start as soon as possible, identify any weeks
where there might be a resource conflict. Show your answer in the form
of a simple resource histogram. (10 marks)

MARK SCHEME (b)

Working through the week by week task resource requirements (PO’s) and aggregating
on a weekly basis should give a resource histogram, roughly as follows:
Award up to 3 marks for presentation quality, 4 marks for accuracy and 3 marks for
stating that weeks 5 and 6 have a resource conflict – 6 PO’s required but only a
maximum of 4 available.

(c) Suggest a tactic for resolving the resource conflict. Identify any
drawbacks of your proposal. (7 marks)

MARK SCHEME (c)

The analytical approach to solving this problem is to commence Task F as late as

possible within its permissible 2 weeks of float (and by implication, start and complete
Task D precisely on time). Providing all the other tasks go to plan, this would have the
effect of smoothing the resource profile as follows:

Now all 4 PO’s are occupied for the full duration of the project. Award up to 4 marks for
the above analysis. Some students may tackle this issue in a less logical way and
recommend a series of alternative measures that could be taken – working overtime,
hiring extra staff, reducing the work scope, prolonging the duration etc. Award up to
2 marks only if a practical tactic is formulated.

The drawback (from the preferred solution) is that all the available float has been
absorbed – all tasks are now effectively critical and must be completed exactly on
schedule to deliver the project within the nine week time frame. This implies that all
four PO’s must be available and working 100% of the time.

Award up to 3 marks for this conclusion.