Managing Projects

3. PROJECT DURATION AND CRITICAL PATH

In determining the project duration, we need to identify the critical path. A critical path is the one that holds series of dependable activities which as a whole gives the longest time to complete the project and these activities within the critical path are called the critical activities. In other words, critical path is the activity with zero total float. In this network diagram, the critical path is A,B,C,G,H,J,K,M,N,O,P,Q,R.

Hence, the project duration is calculated by adding the duration of activities with critical path. For example, total duration of A+B+C+G+H+J+K+M+N+O+P+Q+R i.e. 4+5+10+4+1+10+6+2+6+8+2+1+1= 60days.

4. If the project starts on Monday 20 january,2014, we consider the total project duration which is 60 days then by using a calendar and counting 60days from 20th January, 2014 or divide 60 days by 5days in a week, we get 12 weeks therefore, on the 12th week we arrive at 11th of April. However, the earliest date when the project can be completed is 11th 0f april,2014.

5a. 1day delay in activity P will increase the duration of the whole project by 1day thereby making it 61 days. This is because activity P is a critical activity.

b. If activity N is completed one day early, this would shorten the duration of the whole project by 1day thereby making it 59 days because activity N itself is a critical activity.

c. If activity I is delayed 2days ,this will not affect the duration of the project because activity I is not a critical activity and it has a total float of 6days.

6. LIMITATIONS OF A NETWORK DIAGRAM

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