Posted: September 13th, 2017
project duration and the critical path
This is an individual assignment – complete both tasks 1 and 2
Background: The assignment is intended to bring out the benefits and limitations
of different approaches to project planning and control by relating these to the
circumstances in the cases outlined. It is also intended to allow students to
demonstrate their learning and competence in respect of the management of
resources generally, but in particular elements of scope, schedule, quality, and
cost.
Case 1: Vobien Ltd is an organisation which provides consultancy advice to the
service sector. Consultancy the company provides includes advising upon: process
and product innovation, automation of work design, and selection and use of
social media. As part of your job as the Vobien Ltd special projects manager you
have produced a list of activities that need to be addressed to source a
technological solution for monitoring access and egress within a local
authorities library service. The details are shown in the table provided. Please
note: You must use the methodology detailed above table 1 headed “essential
methodology”.
Task 1 (40% marks)
1) Draw the network diagram (use activity on the node). (8 marks)
2) Explain how you determined the timing of activities and the total float.
(6 marks)
3) Explain how you determined the project duration and the critical path.
(6 marks)
4) If the project
, what is the earliest date it can be completed using a 5 day working week?
Assume no other holidays (explain how you calculated the figure). (4 marks)
5) If the following happened what would be the effect on the duration of
the whole project? Explain the reasons. (6 marks)
a) Activity E is delayed 1 day.
b) Activity P is delayed 2 days.
c) Activity Q is completed 1 day early
6) Explain the limitations of Network diagrams. (10 marks)
Essential methodology (activity on the node):
• All the timings (i.e. earliest start, earliest finish, latest start,
latest finish, total float, duration and activity) must be included within each
node of your diagram. This essential methodology is detailed in the text:
Project Management, Field and Keller (2007. p. 197,p.198 & p. 391)
• All timings must be in days – not dates
• To complete your network diagram assume that:
o If task A has a duration of 4 days (task A, earliest finish would be day
4), therefore, task B earliest start time will be day 4.
• This essential methodology is detailed in the text: Project Management,
Field and Keller (2007. p. 197,p.198 & p. 391),
Table 1
Activity (Tasks)
Duration (Days) Preceded By
A 4 –
B 3 A
C 7 B
D 2 B
E 5 B
F 3 C, D, E
G 9 F
H 3 F
I 2 F
J 3 F
K 3 G, H, I, J
L 5 K
M 3 L
N 3 M
O 5 N
P 2 N
Q 2 O,P
R 3 Q
Case 2: Dennis Ltd is a consultancy company specialising in the sport and
physical activity sector. The organisations they are commissioned by includes:
local authorities, charities, and private sector organisations. The company was
founded in 1999 and has shown steady growth over the past thirteen years. They
trade from office accommodation (80 square metres) in a major city in England.
At present the company employs 1 General Manager, 5 Lead Consultants, 3
Administration staff, and 2 Marketing Officers.
Dennis Ltd has provided a project manager – to a local authority – relating to a
one off special project. This project is concerned with the ensuring the initial
opening and operational requirements of the new leisure facility are identified.
Please note this new leisure facility will already be built to a 21st Century
standard. The provision includes: swimming pool, sports hall, dry and wet
changing facilities, two dance studios with additional health and fitness
provision in the form of a state of the art fitness centre.
Task 2 (60% marks)
As Project Manager you are responsible for the ensuring the initial opening and
operational requirements of the new facility are identified. You are required to
prepare a report concerning the main issues to be addressed from a project
management perspective (2,000 words). From a project management perspective
outline the activities required to successfully implement this new initiative,
ensuring that it can open on-time, and within budget. Again you should note that
you are taking possession of a purpose built building and have to address the
issues that would allow the building to be operated by your client. You should
note that the emphasis should be concerned with you communicating your knowledge
of project management.
The analysis should include the skills and competencies required by the Project
Manager, along with the project management process. Use examples of the
concerns, stages, processes, leadership, administration and control problems
associated with managing the lifecycle of this major project.
Assignment presentation and assessment
The answers to both tasks are independent and should be addressed separately.
Task 1 (i.e. the network diagram information – (600 words) – completed as an
individual task
Task 2 a report that is produced for task two (2000 words) – completed as an
individual task
For your convenience both tasks should be submitted as one document, which
contains both individual tasks.
The criteria for assessing the first task – the network diagram tasks – are
detailed on page 6.
The criteria for assessing the task two report will be:
Report presentation (20%) (12 marks)
The extent to which the assignment represents an effective report. This will be
judged on:
Appearance: Is a word count included at the end of the report? Is it within the
specified amount? Is the text double spaced?
Structure: Does the report follow the conventions of the format? Does it have a
clear introduction, explaining how it answers the questions? Do the sections of
the report develop ideas in a logical sequence? Are diagrams or other subsidiary
information shown in appendices?
Spelling and grammar: Are all words spelled correctly and is the meaning of
sentences clear?
Referencing: Have appropriate references been included in the report. Has a
recognised referencing system been used for notation? (see relevant section in
the Guide to Basic Study Skills)
Use of relevant theory (40%) (24 marks)
Has the right theoretical content been chosen as the basis for answering the
questions? Is there evidence of the use of course notes and books? Is the theory
that is selected significant to the questions?
Analysis (40%) (24 marks)
This measures the extent to which students develop a structured argument for the
points they make, by combining relevant theory with the information provided in
the questions.
Any work submitted is subject to the University’s rules and procedures governing
infringement of assessment regulations.
SIM335: Management of Projects (Academic Year 2013/14)
Task 1
1. 8 marks. 1 points to be taken off for each wrong node.
A maximum of 5 wrong nodes, after which the student gets 0 for the question.
Marks will be deducted for poor presentation.
Please note: Marks are only awarded if the methodology for Activity on the Node
– detailed in Project Management, Field and Keller (2007. p. 197. p.198 & p.
391) is used.
Please note; Marks are only awarded if the timings are in days – not dates
2. 3 marks for explaining how the timings were determined .
3 marks for explaining how the float was determined.
Please note: Marks are only awarded if timings for all activities are included
on the network diagram, and the explanation given. This approach is detailed in
Project Management, Field and Keller (2007. p. 197. p.198 & p. 391)
3. 3 marks for correct project duration and explanation.
3 marks for correct critical path and explanation.
4. 4 marks for correct earliest date (and explain how the figure was
calculated).
5. a) 1 mark for the correct identification of the effect on the
duration of the whole project, 1 mark for right reason
b) 1 mark for the correct identification of the effect on the duration of
the whole project, 1 mark for right reason
c) 1 mark for the correct identification of the effect on the duration of
the whole project, 1 mark for right reason
6. 10 marks for the discussion concerning the limitations of network
diagrams
Up to 2 marks awarded (per limitation) for the identification and explanation of
five limitations
Total: 40 marks
SIM335: Management of Projects (Academic Year 20012/13)
Task 2
Criteria 70% + 60-69% 50-59% 40-49% <40%
Use of relevant theory
Indicative weighting = 40% of 60 mark
(24 marks) The report identifies all the relevant theories to answer to
complete the task. The theories used are described in detail. There is clear
evidence that course notes, books and other sources are used. Theories used are
significant in listing the activities required to successfully plan and manage a
major project. The report identifies most of the relevant theories to answer to
complete the task. On the whole, the theories used are described in detail.
There is clear evidence that course notes and books are used. Theories used are
largely significant in listing the activities required to successfully plan and
manage a major project. On the whole, the report identifies the relevant
theories required to answer to complete the task. The theories used are
sometimes described in detail. Overall, there is clear evidence that course
notes and books are used. Theories used are significant in listing the
activities required to successfully plan and manage a major project. The
report identifies some of the relevant theories to answer to complete the task.
The theories used are partly described. There is some evidence that course
notes, and books are used. Theories used are sometimes significant in listing
the activities required to successfully plan and manage a major project.
The report fails to identify the relevant theories to answer to complete the
task. The theories used are not described. There is no evidence that course
notes, books or other sources are used. Theories used are not significant in
listing the activities required to successfully plan and manage a major project.
Analysis
Indicative weighting = 40% of 60 mark
(24 marks) There is evidence of extensive research from a variety of
sources to provide better understanding to the background of the task. A
structured argument is taken for the points made by combining relevant theories
with information researched or provided in the task. The conclusions are clear
and link into the requirements of the task. There is evidence of some
extensive research from a variety of sources to provide better understanding to
the background of the task. A structured argument is taken for the points made,
often by combining relevant theories with information researched or provided in
the task. The conclusions on the whole are clear and link into the requirements
of the task. There is evidence of some research to provide better
understanding to the background of the task but sources are not extensive. There
is some structured argument taken for the points made. The relevant theories are
not always combined with information researched or provided in the task. The
conclusions are not clear and have only limited linkages into the requirements
of the task.
There is evidence of limited research being conducted to provide better
understanding to the background of the task but sources are not extensive. There
is limited structured argument taken for the points made. There are only limited
combinations of the relevant theories with information researched or provided in
the task. The conclusions are descriptive and do not link into the requirements
of the task. There is no evidence of research from a variety of sources to
provide better understanding to the background of the task. There is no
structured argument taken for the points made. The relevant theories are not
combined with information researched or provided in the task. The conclusions
are unclear and only descriptive. Conclusions also do not link into the
requirements of the task.
Presentation and Structure
Indicative weighting = 20% of 60 mark
(12 marks) The presentation is clear. There are no or few spelling or
grammatical errors. The report has been referenced correctly, using the Harvard
style of referencing. A word count is provided at the end of the report and is
within the limit of 2000 words. The report is text double-spaced.
The structure of the project is clear, cohesive and logical. Each section has
been clearly structured using sub-headings (signposts) and these follow a
logical order. Additional diagrams and other subsidiary information are shown in
the appendices and properly referenced. Appendices are relevant and are able to
provide a better understanding to the report. The presentation is on the whole
clear, there are no or few spelling or grammatical errors. The project has been
referenced correctly, using the Harvard style of referencing. A word count is
provided at the end of the report and is within the limit of 2000 words. The
report is text double-spaced.
The structure of the project is on the whole clear, cohesive and logical. Each
chapter has been clearly structured using sub-headings (signposts) and these on
the whole follow a logical order. Additional diagrams and other subsidiary
information are shown in the appendices and properly referenced. Appendices are
mostly relevant and are able to provide a better understanding to the report.
The presentation is partially clear. There are occasional spelling and or
grammatical errors. The project has not always been referenced correctly, using
the Harvard style of referencing. A word count is provided at the end of the
report but is not within the limit of 2000 words. The report is text double-
spaced.
The structure of the project is not entirely clear, cohesive or logical. Each
section has partially been clearly structured using some sub-headings
(signposts) but it is difficult to follow. Additional diagrams and other
subsidiary information are sometimes shown in the appendices but not always
properly referenced. Appendices are occasionally relevant and are at times able
to provide a better understanding to the report.
The clarity of the presentation of the project is limited. There are
spelling and or grammatical errors. The project has not been referenced
correctly, using the Harvard style of referencing. The layout is loose and was
difficult to follow.
The structure of the project is not clear, cohesive or logical. Each chapter has
been limited structured using some or no sub-headings (signposts), which made it
very difficult to follow. Additional diagrams and other subsidiary information
are not shown in the appendices and not properly referenced. Appendices are
irrelevant and are not able to provide a better understanding to the report.
The presentation is unclear. There numerous spelling or grammatical errors. The
report has not been referenced correctly, using the Harvard style of
referencing. A word count is not provided at the end of the report and is not
within the limit of 2000 words. The report is not text double-spaced.
The structure of the project is unclear, inconsistent and illogical. Sections
are not clearly structured using sub-headings (signposts) and do not follow a
logical order. Additional diagrams and other subsidiary information are not
shown in the appendices and not properly referenced. Appendices are irrelevant
and are not able to provide a better understanding to the report.
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