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