GROUP 1 MEMBERS

MBA844 - PRESENTATION
COME UP WITH A PROJECT LOGIC TABLE FOR A PROJECT
WITH AT LEAST 14 ACTIVITIES SHOWING THEIR
PRECEDENCIES
a) COME UP WITH A NETWORK DIAGRAM
b) SHOW PROJECT DURATION
c) SHOW THE CRITICAL PATH
d) DEMONSTRATE THE CONCEPT OF RESOURCE LEVELLING
AND RESOURCE SMOOTHING
e) SHOW HOW A PROJECT MANAGEMENT STRATEGIST CAN
CREATE VALUE THROUGH NETWORK TECHNIQUES (PERT,
CPA)
2
14 ACTIVITIES SHOWING THEIR PRECEDENCIES
Event Activity Description Predecessor Duration
NUMBER (Days)
1 A Acquire and identify the land site _ 2
2 B Site clearance and preparation A 5
3 C Source excavating equipment A 3
4 D Deliver excavating equipment C 3
5 E Foundation pegging and marking B 2
6 F Excavation and site preparation D,E 3
7 G Deliver all building materials to site B 4
8 H Foundation casting and laying F,G 10
9 I Build the superstructure (walls, columns, H 20
beams)
10 J Inspect the superstructure for quality and I 1
safety
11 K Install roofing and waterproofing J 5
12 L Electrical, plumbing, and HVAC installations K 3
13 M Plastering and flooring installations K 2
14 N Painting (interior and exterior) L.M 5
15 O Final inspection and handover to the N 3
community
a) COME UP WITH A NETWORK DIAGRAM

CC

D
Project Duration and Critical Path

(b) The project duration is 59 days

( c ) The critical path is A ,B, E, F, H, I, J, K, L, N,

O
(d) Demonstrate the concept of resource levelling and
resource smoothing

• Resource levelling is a crucial aspect of project management that ensures the

efficient and effective utilization of resources. According to Kerzner (2017), resource
levelling is essential to prevent over-allocation and under-allocation of resources.
The goal is to ensure that resources are not over-allocated. Here’s how it works:
• Identify Over-Allocation: Determine where resources are over-allocated (i.e.,
assigned more work than they can handle).
• Adjust Schedule: Modify the project schedule to resolve these conflicts. This might
involve delaying tasks or extending the project duration.
• Balance Resources: Ensure that resources are evenly distributed across the
project timeline.
• As an example, imagine you have a project with two tasks, both requiring the same
resource (e.g., a specific engineer) at the same time. Resource leveling would
involve rescheduling one of the tasks to a later date to avoid overloading the
engineer.
Cont’
• Resource smoothing is a technique used in project management to smooth out the resource
utilization over time, reducing the peaks and valleys in the resource utilization chart. Kerzner
(2017) stated that, “Resource smoothing is a method of allocating resources to tasks in a way
that minimizes the fluctuations in resource utilization”. The focus is on minimizing fluctuations
in resource usage while keeping the project on track. Here’s how it works:
• Identify Peaks and Valleys: Look for periods where resource usage is particularly high or low.
• Adjust Task Timing: Shift tasks within their available float (the amount of time a task can be
delayed without affecting the project’s end date) to create a more consistent resource usage
pattern.
• Maintain Project Timeline: Ensure that these adjustments do not delay the project
completion date.
• For Example, if a project has a peak in resource usage in one week and a valley in the next,
resource smoothing would involve moving some tasks from the peak week to the valley week,
balancing the workload without extending the project duration.

• Project managers often view resource leveling as being the preferable approach when
increasing the supply of resources would be less feasible than adjusting the project’s deadline.
They frequently believe that resource smoothing is better than the existing activity scheduling
when the project's deadline is a more strict constraint.
Benefits
Benefits of Resource Leveling
• Prevents Over-Allocation: Ensures that no single resource is overburdened, reducing the risk of burnout and
errors.
• Improves Resource Utilization: Balances the workload across available resources, making better use of the
team’s capabilities.
• Enhances Project Feasibility: By addressing resource constraints, it makes the project more realistic and
achievable.
• Reduces Stress: Creates a more manageable workload for team members, leading to a healthier work
environment.
• Minimizes Delays: Helps identify and resolve potential bottlenecks early, preventing unexpected delays later
in the project.

Benefits of Resource Smoothing

• Optimizes Resource Usage: Creates a more consistent and efficient use of resources throughout the project.
• Maintains Project Timeline: Adjusts tasks within their float without extending the project’s end date, keeping
the project on schedule.
• Reduces Idle Time: Minimizes periods where resources are underutilized, ensuring that team members are
consistently productive.
• Balances Workload: Smooths out peaks and valleys in resource usage, leading to a more balanced and
predictable workload.
• Enhances Team Morale: A steady and manageable workload can improve team morale and productivity.
(e) How a project management strategist can
create value through network techniques (PERT,
CPA).

PROGRAM EVALUATION AND REVIEW

TECHNIQUE( PERT)
What is Pert
• The Program Evaluation and Review Technique (PERT) is a technique used in
project management to estimate task durations and identify potential risks.
• According to Malcolm et al. (1959), PERT is a method for estimating the
duration of tasks and the overall project duration, taking into account the
uncertainty associated with each task.
• By using PERT, project managers can create a more realistic project schedule
and allocate resources accordingly. PERT can also be used to identify
potential risks and develop mitigation strategies. Some popular tools and
techniques used in PERT include Microsoft Project, Primavera P6, and Oracle
Primavera.
PERT IS USED TO

Plan and schedule projects: PERT is used to plan and schedule projects by
identifying the tasks, dependencies, and timelines required to complete the
project.
Analyze and manage risk: PERT helps to identify potential risks and uncertainties
in the project, and to develop strategies to mitigate them.
Estimate project duration: PERT is used to estimate the minimum project
duration, taking into account the dependencies and timelines of the various
tasks.
Identify critical path: PERT helps to identify the critical path, which is the longest
path through the network diagram and determines the minimum project
duration.
Monitor and control project progress: PERT is used to monitor and control
project progress, by tracking the actual completion of tasks and comparing it to
the planned schedule.
Advantages and Disadvantages of PERT
Advantages of PERT:
• 1. Helps to identify and manage risk: PERT helps to identify potential risks and
uncertainties in the project.
• 2. Provides a clear project schedule: PERT provides a clear project schedule, including the
tasks, dependencies, and timelines.
• 3. Helps to identify the critical path: PERT helps to identify the critical path, which
determines the minimum project duration.

Disadvantages of PERT:
• 1. Can be complex and time-consuming: PERT can be complex and time-consuming to
implement, especially for large and complex projects.
• 2. Requires accurate estimates: PERT requires accurate estimates of task durations and
dependencies.
• 3. Does not account for resource constraints: PERT does not account for resource
constraints, such as availability of personnel and equipment.
CRITICAL PATH ANALYSIS / METHOD
What is Critical Path Method (CPA)
• The Critical Path Analysis (CPA) is a technique used in project
management to identify the critical path, which is the longest
path through the network diagram. Kelley (1961) defined CPA
as a method for determining the minimum duration required
to complete a project, taking into account the dependencies
between tasks.
• By using CPA, project managers can identify the critical path
and prioritize tasks and allocate resources effectively.
• CPA can also be used to identify potential bottlenecks and
areas for optimization, and to create a more realistic project
schedule.
• Some popular tools and techniques used in CPA include
Microsoft Project, Primavera P6 and Oracle Primavera.
What CPA is used for
• Manage risk: CPA helps to identify potential risks and uncertainties in the
project, and to develop strategies to mitigate them for example, using the
same house-building might have potential risks and uncertainties such as
delays in obtaining building permits or inclement weather affecting
construction
• Identify the critical tasks: Critical tasks are those that determine the minimum
project duration. CPA helps to identify these tasks by analyzing the network
diagram for example, in building a house the critical tasks are foundation work
( Task A), framing (Task B), roofing (Task C). CPA would identify these tasks as
critical because they determine the minimum project duration.
• Prioritize tasks: CPA helps to prioritize tasks based on their criticality and
impact on the project duration. By analysing the network diagram and
calculating the longest path(s), the project management strategist can
identify the critical activities that must be closely monitored and managed.
• Identify dependencies: CPA helps to identify the dependencies between tasks,
including predecessor and successor tasks.
Advantages and Disadvantages of
CPA
Advantages of CPM
• 1. Improved project planning: CPA helps to create a realistic project schedule and identifies
potential risks and uncertainties.
• 2. Increased efficiency: CPA helps to prioritize tasks and allocate resources more efficiently.
• 3. Better risk management: CPA helps to identify potential risks and uncertainties, and to develop
strategies to mitigate them.
• 4. Reduced project duration: CPA helps to identify the critical path and optimize the project
schedule, reducing the project duration.

Disadvantages of CPM
• 1. Complexity: CPA can be complex and difficult to implement, especially for large and complex
projects.
• 2. Time-consuming: CPA requires a significant amount of time and effort to create and maintain
the network diagram.
• 3. Assumptions: CPA is based on assumptions about the project, such as the task durations and
dependencies.
• 4. Limited flexibility: CPA can be inflexible, making it difficult to respond to changes in the project
scope or schedule.
Value created through Network
Techniques (PERT,CPA)
 Improved Project Planning – creating a realistic project schedule and
ensuring timely completion.
 Enhanced Risk Management- identifying potential risks and uncertainties
using PERT's probability and impact assessments
 Optimized Resource Allocation- ensuring that resources are allocated to
critical tasks and milestones.
 Increased Efficiency- eliminating non-essential tasks and activities.
 Improved Monitoring and Control- Ensuring that the project stays on
track and making adjustments as needed.
 Enhanced Stakeholder Management- identifying and engaging
stakeholders, ensuring their needs and expectations are met.
 Better Communication- providing regular project updates, highlighting
progress, risks, and issues.
THANK YOU