Questions
1. Use Microsoft Project to develop the project schedule. Note that have been asked to include
the following in your schedule:
a) The project title as the overall project summary (as task 0 and WBS number 0). All
other tasks should be “indented” according to the WBS structure shown below:
A WBS column before the “Task Name” column and a WBS Predecessors column
after the “Task Name” column as shown below:
Resource allocation details. To simplify resource allocation for this assignment, there
is no need to assign resources to the initial meeting and consultation tasks. However,
the tasks must be included in the schedule. All other tasks should have the correct
resources assigned as specified in the case description.
d) Holidays. Assume that for this project you must include the following holidays:
Annual holiday: Monday 26th December 2016 – Friday 6th January 2017
e) The critical path(s) automatically displayed in red on the bars of the Gantt chart view
of your schedule.
At this point there may be resource over allocation issues. Do not attempt to resolve these
before answering question 2. Save this version of your schedule in RP_PartAQ1.mpp. You
will be required to submit this file as part of your assignment submission.
2. At this point ignore any resource over allocations. Save a copy of your RP_PartAQ1 file in
RP_PartAQ2.mpp. For the purposes of this question only you can assume that there would
be no resource constraints. You therefore ignore any resource over-allocation. Do not attempt
to resolve any resource over allocation (if any exists) at this point. Using your
RP_PartAQ2.mpp schedule:
a. Use the “view tab” filter to display only the critical tasks. Provide a screenshot showing
the task names and the Gantt chart of all the tasks on the critical path(s).
b. If you were asked to reduce the overall duration of the project by reducing the duration of
some of the tasks in the project, what tasks would you target for reduction and why?
c. In your RP_PartAQ2.mpp file, reduce the duration of the tasks as outlined in your part b
answer. Highlight the changes you have made in the file. Make sure that your changes
have reduced the project duration by 3 weeks compared to the RP_PartAQ1.mpp file.
Call this file RP_PartAQ2.mpp. You will be required to submit this file as part of your
assignment submission. This file is not to be modified/developed further.
3. This question relates to resource allocation and requires you to make another copy of your
original RP_PartAQ1.mpp in a file called RP_PartAQ3.mpp .
a. How can you tell if there are any resource over-allocation issues?
b. Use the software to check for any resource over-allocation in your project. Did you have
any resource over-allocation issues in your schedule? If so, describe where they
occurred. (Note that it is possible that there are no issues in your project schedule.)
c. If there was any resource over-allocation in your project, resolve it now.
d. Did this have any impact on your overall project duration? Explain. (Be specific – if there
is a change how much of a change. Explain why you do or don’t see a change iin the
overall duration.)
Continue working with this RP_PartAQ3.mpp file for the remainder of the questions in
Part A.
4. Write a memo to Mairi describing the length of the project, the expected completion date of
the project, together with an explanation of the factors that cause the project to require
that length of time. The completion date is to be the date when all franchisees will have had
the new system installed and have completed their training.
You must also include a summary of the direct labour costs for each of the resource types
working on the project. Present the costs in a table similar to the following:
Assume that you will send the project schedule as an attachment to the memo. You should
therefore refer to the attachment in your memo.
Note: there are some notes about memos provided on the course website underneath this
assignment specification.
5. What should Dennis do to ensure that the project will meet the objectives? (Hint, describe
the good PM practices that you would expect Dennis to follow to ensure that the project
runs smoothly and meets its objectives.)
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6. There are two dimensions associated with successful project management. One is the
technical dimension which includes, planning, monitoring and control of project
performance etc. The other is the “sociocultural” dimension where project managers are
responsible for the “project culture”, encouraging teamwork, being proactive and resolving
problems etc. Describe at least two instances where you believe that Dennis has shown
good examples of this and explain why what he did was beneficial for the project.
7. Identify at least two tasks and/or costs that might have been overlooked in this project.
This requires you to think specifically about what is being accomplished in this project and
what may have been missed.
8. Are there any particular staffing issues that may be of concern? How would you approach
those issues if you were the PM?
Questions
1. Copy RP_PartAQ3.mpp to RP_PartB.mpp. In RP_PartB.mpp, amend the project schedule to
provide for the additional programs. Highlight the additional tasks in your RP_PartB mpp file. If
the addition of the extra tasks result in any resource over-allocation issues, resolve these issues
now.
2. What (if any) is the impact of adding the additional tasks to develop the additional programs to
satisfy the franchisee requirements on
a. The overall duration of the project? Explain why/why not.
b. The total direct cost of the project? Explain why/why not.
In your answers to (a) and (b) above, be very specific about the actual amounts that the duration
or costs change.
3. Given the additional requirements from the franchisees, William advises you that the design of
the database changes will require 6 weeks and it will now take 8 weeks to implement the
changes. Make these modifications to your schedule
4. What (if any) is the impact of the additional time required for the database tasks on
a. The overall duration of the project? Explain.
b. The total direct cost of the project? Explain.
In your answers to (a) and (b) above, be very specific about the actual amounts that the duration
or costs change. If there is no change explain why there is no change.
5. Jason also advises that the delivery of the SOEs is only going to take 1 week, not 4. Make this
change to your schedule. Highlight the change in your solutions
6. What (if any) is the impact of the reduction in time required for the delivery of the SOEs on
a. The overall duration of the project? Explain.
b. The total direct cost of the project? Explain.
In your answers to (a) and (b) above, be very specific about the actual amounts that the duration
or costs change. If there is no change explain why there is no change.