Problem Solving.
Solve the following problems showing complete solutions to how the
answers were derived.
1. A project consists of 8 activities named A-H. Construct a network so as to
satisfy scheduling requirements shown in the table below:
ACTIVITY PREDECESSOR TIME
A - 8
B A 6
C A 5
D A 6
E B,C 7
F C,D 11
G D,F 8
H G,E 5
Network Diagram
Find the least time required to complete the whole project and identify the critical activities.
How is the project completion time affected if?
a. Activity F is delayed by 3 days?
Because Activity F is one of the critical activities, if it is delayed by 3 days, the
project's overall duration would increase by 3 days, therefore instead of 38 days, the
total project duration will be 41 days. This is because Activity F is on the critical path,
which suggests that crucial activities, as opposed to non-critical activities, will have a
major impact on the project's completion timetable.
b. Activity E is delayed by 7 days?
Since Activity E is not a critical activity, the project duration is unaffected if it is
delayed by 7 days. Because Activity E is not on the critical path, delaying it by 7 days
will have no effect on the project's completion time. The amount of time an activity can
be postponed without affecting the end date is known as a free float.
c. Activity G is finished 7 days early?
If Activity G is completed 7 days ahead of schedule, it will have a significant
impact on the project's overall duration, which will be reduced to 31 days instead of
38 days.
2. A project consists of 11 activities named 1 to 11. Construct a network so as to satisfy
scheduling requirements shown in the table below:
Project Schedule
Activity Number Duration in weeks Immediate Predecessor/s
1 6 None
2 2 None
3 3 1
4 2 2
5 4 3
6 1 4
7 1 5,6
8 6 7
9 3 8
10 1 8
11 1 9,10
Project Network
Identified Paths with Corresponding Total Duration
Path Total Duration in weeks
1-3-5-7-8-9-11 6 + 3 + 4 + 1 + 6 + 3 + 1 = 24 weeks
1-3-5-7-8-10-11 6 + 3 + 4 + 1 + 6 + 1 + 1 = 22 weeks
2-4-6-7-8-9-11 2 + 2 + 1 + 1 + 6 + 3 + 1 = 16 weeks
2-4-6-7-8-10-11 2 + 2 + 1 + 1 + 6 + 1 + 1 = 14 weeks
Determining the Critical Path
Critical Path = Path with the Longest Time to Complete the Project
Critical Path = 1-3-5-7-8-9-11
Determining the Time to Complete the Project
Project Completion Time = Longest Time in the Project Network
Project Completion Time = 24 weeks
a. Can the project be completed in 30 weeks? Why/Why not?
Yes, it is possible to achieve the project in less than 30 weeks. Based on the project
network and schedule requirements, the project will be completed in 24 weeks, which is
shorter than 30 weeks.
3. Draw a network diagram for the following project and find the critical path and critical
activities and project duration.
15 Days
Activity Time Cost New Cost
Normal Crash Normal Crash
Start 0 0 0 0 0
A 2 0 5,000 0 5,000
B 4 2 6,080 2,960 12,000
C 5 3 3,135 955 6,000
D 6 0 1,704 0 1,704
E 5 2 4,000 2,000 8,000
F 14 4 6,636 1,841 14,000
G 6 2 876 362 1,600
H 4 1 864 1,736 2,600
I 5 2 6,615 3,692.5 14,000
J 7 0 11,620 0 11,620
Finish 0 0 0 0 0
Total Cost 46,530 13,546.50 76,524
12 days
Activity Time Cost New Cost
Normal Crash Normal Crash
Start 0 0 0 0
A 2 0 5,000 5,000
B 4 2 6,080 2,960 12,000
C 5 0 3,135 3,135
D 6 0 1,704 1,704
E 5 0 4,000 4,000
F 14 4 6,636 1,841 14,000
G 6 0 876 876
H 4 0 864 864
I 5 0 6,615 6,615
J 7 0 11,620 11,620
Finish 0 0 0 0
Total Cost 46,530 4,801 59,814
Path
Activity Time (Normal) Days Critical Path Crash
A–C–G–I 2+5+6+5 18 days Critical Path 10
A–C–H–J 2+5+4+7 18 days Critical Path 9
A–D–J 2+6+7 15 days 8
B–E–J 4+5+7 16 days 8
B–F 4 + 14 18 days Critical Path 12
1. How much will be the additional cost if the project is to be completed in 15 days? What
activities need to be crashed?
There will be no additional expense if we pursue the activities of A-D-J and B-E-J
because they are already covered by the 15-day working week. However, because
activities A-C-J-I, A-C-H-J, and B-F are on the critical path, they will be crashed,
resulting in an additional cost of 13,546.50 for the project.
2. Can the project be completed in 12 days? Why/Why not? If it can, what activities need
to be crashed at what additional costs?
Yes, the project might be completed possible in a short as 12 days. However,
activities B-F will incur an additional cost of $4,801 and will have to be crashed
afterwards.
