Chapter Ten – Project Scheduling: Lagging, Crashing, and Activity Networks
Discussion Questions 2, 3, 5
Chapter 10: Additional Study Notes
(Excerpts from the original Pinto PowerPoint Presentations)
Gantt Charts
Establish a time-phased network
Can be used as a tracking tool
Benefits of Gantt charts
Easy to create and comprehend
Identify the schedule baseline network
Allow for updating and control
Identify resource needs
Crashing
The process of accelerating a project
Principal methods for crashing
Improving existing resources’ productivity
Changing work methods
Increasing the quantity of resources
Managerial Considerations
Determine activity fixed and variable costs
The crash point is the fully expedited activity
Optimize time-cost tradeoffs
Shorten activities on the critical path
Cease crashing when – the target completion time is reached – the crashing cost exceeds the penalty cost
Controversies in the Use of Networks
Networks can be too complex
Poor network construction creates problems v Networks may be used inappropriately
When employing subcontractors
– The master network must be available to them
– All sub-networks must use common methods
Positive bias exists in PERT networksChapter 10: Additional Study Notes
(Excerpts from the original Pinto PowerPoint Presentations)
Gantt Charts
Establish a time-phased network
Can be used as a tracking tool
Benefits of Gantt charts
Easy to create and comprehend
Identify the schedule baseline network
Allow for updating and control
Identify resource needs
Crashing
The process of accelerating a project
Principal methods for crashing
Improving existing resources’ productivity
Changing work methods
Increasing the quantity of resources
Managerial Considerations
Determine activity fixed and variable costs
The crash point is the fully expedited activity
Optimize time-cost tradeoffs
Shorten activities on the critical path
Cease crashing when – the target completion time is reached – the crashing cost exceeds the penalty cost
Discussion Questions 2, 3, 5 (from the textbook)
Questions:
Question- The advantage of Gantt chart lies in their linkage through the project schedule baseline. Explain this concept.
Question – What are the advantages in the use of Ganett charts over PERT diagrams? In what ways might PERT diagrams be advantageous?
Question -Under what circumstances might you wish to crash a project?
Controversies in the Use of Networks
Networks can be too complex
Poor network construction creates problems v Networks may be used inappropriately
When employing subcontractors
– The master network must be available to them
– All sub-networks must use common methods
Positive bias exists in PERT networks