Management of Technology Projects
Name: Last _____________First: _______________
Answer the following questions and write the answer in the space provided. Each question is worth (15) point per question grade formula is ((X correct/45)*3). You may provide the response on another sheet or include the response in this file. All files must have your name clearly identified. The response is to be your own unique response.
Learning Goal: Apply knowledge of information technology, operations and business functions, to assess, design and improve business processes.
1. Question: Critical Path Method
Below is information about a project to implement a new manufacturing cell to assemble personal digital assistant devices
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Activity
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Duration
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Predecessors
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ES
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EF
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LS
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LF
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Total Slack
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A. Design process requirements
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2
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-
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B. Benchmark competitors processes
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4
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A
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C. Prepare benchmark report
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1
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B
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D. Design process and layout
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2
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A
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E. Finalize design and set up manufacturing cell
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2
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C,D
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F. Select and train operators
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1
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D
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G. Pilot test new process
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2
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E,F
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H. Finalize process design
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1
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G
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- Draw a network diagram on the word document.
- Identify the ES, EF, LS, LF and slack times in the table using the critical path method.
- During the initial stages of the project, a new set of requirements were discovered that would extend the process and layout design activity from 2 to 6 months. The operations group which initiated these requirement changes argues that they would not impact the project duration. Is this true? Justify your answer.
Learning Goal: Effectively manage projects including information technology projects.
2) Short Case Question
The G&E Company is preparing a bid to build the new 47,000 seat Greendale Baseball stadium that consists of a retractable roof. The project begins with clearing the construction site (70 days). Once the site is clear, work can start simultaneously on the stadium structure itself and on preparing an adjacent area for storing materials and equipment (30 days). Following the preparation of adjacent area, the task of setting up the construction site (70 days) can begin.
The work on the stadium structure will start by driving support pilings (120 days). Next comes the pouring of the lower concrete bowl (120 days). Once this is done and the construction site has been set up, the pouring of the main concourse (120 days), the installation of the playing field (90 days), and the construction of the upper steel bowl (120 days) can occur concurrently.
After the main concourse and the upper steel bowl have been built, work can start simultaneously on installing the luxury boxes (90 days), general seats (140 days), jumbotron (30 days), and other stadium infrastructure (120 days). Following the installation of general seats, the steel canopy can be constructed (75 days), and subsequently, the lights can be installed (30 days).
Building the supports for roof track (90 days) can begin after the lower concrete bowl is constructed. At the same time, the design and the construction of the roof at a separate site can begin (180 days). After the supports for roof track are completed, the roof tracks can be installed (90 days). Once the roof tracks and the roof are completed, the roof can be installed (90 days) and the stadium is ready for inspection.
Using the table and the information provided above, prepare a task list that includes: wbs ids, appropriate summary tasks, task names, durations, and predecessor relationships.
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Task ID
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WBS ID
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Task Name
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Duration
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Predecessors
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Note: you may need to extend the number of entries provided to capture all the tasks required. Feel free to extend or contract the list as you need.
3) MS Project Question (15 points)
This question will require you to use MS Project to create a schedule and answer a set of questions.
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Whistler Ski Resort Project (Stage 1)
Project Context: Following the successful completion of the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver and Whistler, BC, Canada, and the fact that the number of skiing visitors to Whistler has been increasing at an exciting rate following the Olympics, the Whistler Ski Association has been considering the construction of another ski lodge and ski complex. The results of a detailed economic feasibility study completed by members of the staff in 2014 show that a winter resort complex near the base of Whistler Mountain could be very profitable venture. The area is accessible by car, bus, train and air. The board of directors has voted to build the ten-million dollar complex recommended in the study. Unfortunately, due to the short summer season, the complex will have to be built in stages. The first stage (year 1) will contain a day lodge, chair lift, rope tow, generator house (for electricity), and a parking lot designed to accommodate 400 cars and 30 buses. The second and the third stages will include a hotel, ice rink, pool, shops, two additional chair lifts, and other attractions. The board has decided that stage one should begin no later than April 1, 2016 and be completed by October 1, 2016, in time for the next skiing season.
As a project manager, you have been assigned the responsibility of developing a schedule for the first stage of the Whistler Ski Resort project. Your goal is to create the project schedule based on the information on project scope, duration estimates, and predecessor information provided below.
WBS, Duration and Predecessor Information: After looking into the possible sources of materials, you are confronted with the following time estimates.
Materials for the chair lift and rope tow will take 30 days and 12 days, respectively, to arrive once the order is submitted. Lumber for the day lodge, generator hut, and foundations will take 9 days to arrive. The electrical and the plumbing materials for the day lodge will take 12 days to arrive. The generator will take 12 days to arrive. Before actual construction can begin on the various facilities, a road to the site must be built; this will take 6 days. As soon as the road is in, clearing can begin concurrently on the sites of the day lodge, generator house, chair lift, and rope tow. It is estimated that the clearing task at each site will take 6 days, 3 days, 36 days, and 6 days, respectively. The clearing of the main ski slopes can begin after the area for the chair lift has been cleared; this will take 84 days.
The foundation for the day lodge will take 12 days to complete. Construction of the main framework will take an additional 18 days. After the framework is completed, electrical wiring and plumbing can be installed concurrently. These should take 24 days and 30 days, respectively. Finally, the finishing construction on the day lodge can begin; this will take 36 days.
Installation of the chair lift towers (67 days) can begin once the site is cleared, lumber delivered, and the foundation completed (6 days). Also, when the chair lift site has been cleared, construction of a permanent road to the upper towers can be started; this will take 24 days. While the towers are being installed, the electric motor to drive the chair lift can be installed in 24 days. Once the towers are completed and the motor installed, it will take 3 days to install the cable and an additional 12 days to install the chairs.
Installation of the towers for the rope tow can begin once the site is cleared and the foundation is built and poured; it takes 4 days to build the foundation, pour the concrete and let it cure, and 20 days to install the towers for the rope tow. While the towers care being erected, installation of the electric motor to drive the rope tow can begin; this activity will take 24 days. After the towers and the motors are installed, the rope tow can be strung in 1 day, following which the parking lot can be cleared in 18 days.
The foundation for the generator house can begin at the same time as the foundation for the lodge; this will take 6 days. The main framework for the generator house can begin once the foundation is completed; framing will take 12 days. After the house is framed, the diesel generator can be installed in 18 days. Finishing construction on the generator house can now begin and will take 12 more days.
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Note: To construct a realistic schedule, consider: (i) statutory holidays in the province of British Columbia and Canada in the year in which the Stage 1 is to be accomplished, and (ii) create summary tasks based on appropriate grouping of tasks. Using the information obtained from MS Project,
- Identify the tasks on the critical path.
- Can the project be completed by the October 1, 2016 deadline?
List of Statutory Holidays in British Columbia and Canada in 2016 (from April 1):
Victoria Day (Monday, May 23)
Canada Day (Friday, July 1)
British Columbia Day (Monday, August 1)
Labor Day (Monday, September 5)
Thanksgiving (Monday, October 10)
Remembrance Day (Friday, November 11)
Christmas Day (Sunday, December 25)
Boxing Day (Monday, December 26)