Tutorial‐6 AON & CPM

Project Planning and Scheduling Gantt Charts

Project Planning
n andd Scheduling
CPM ‐ Critical Path Method ‐ AON Network Diagram
1. Development of a new deluxe version of a particular software product is being considered. The
activities necessary for the completion of this project are listed in the table below.
Activity Normal Time Immediate
(week) Predecessor
A 8 ‐
B 10 ‐
C 3 A
D 7 A
E 6 B, C
F 7 B, C
G 5 D, E
H 3 F

a) Based on all‐normal time schedule:

i. Draw a scheduling AON network to represent this project.
ii. Determine the project duration of this project.
iii. Determine the critical path
iv. Can activity B be delayed without delaying the completion of the pro ject? If so, how
many weeks?

2. The following chart was prepared at the beginning of a HRM (Human Res ource management)
crash hiring project. The project begins with two activities: Assemble inte rview team (A) and
Budget resources (B). Given the following project information:‐
Activity Precedent Duration
Activity (Days)
A ‐ 4
B ‐ 3
C A 1
D A 5
E B 4
F B 1
G D, E 3
H F 5
I C 2
J G, H 1

a) Compute the project duration and determine the critical activities.

b) What is the critical path?
c) Calculate the Total Float and Free float of the non‐critical activities.
d) Draw the GANTT chart such that you can delay the project cashflow as much as possible.
A recent update of estimates noted that activity A can be completed in 2 days, but activity B
required 5 days. What impact does this have on the project? Are the same activities critical?
Are there any changes to the critical path?

MME30001 Engineering Management 1

Tutorial‐6 AON & CPM
Project Planning and Scheduling Gantt Charts

3. A small venture firm is considering a financing project. The project has ten (10) major activities.
The times (weeks) are estimated and provided in the table below.
Times (Weeks)
Activity Description Precedent Duration in
Activity weeks
A Collect firm data ‐ 11
B Analyze data ‐ 10
C Determine need ‐ 5
D Determine profitability A 7
E Evaluate risk B 4
F Interview owners B 7
G Check references B 2
H Evaluate industry C 6
I Evaluate economy G,H 8
J Decide funding D,E 4

a) Draw a scheduling AON network to represent this project.

b) Find the critical activities and critical path for completing the project.

4. A research project is scheduled for implementation based on the information shown below.
Using the Activity on Node (AON) convention, draw the scheduling network for the project.
Immediate Duration
Activity
Predecessor (Days)
A ‐ 5
B ‐ 3
C ‐ 6
D ‐ 7
E A 5
F A, C 6
G B, C 10
H B 8
I D, F, H 4

a) Determine the project duration, critical paths and EST, EFT, LST and LFT.

5. The activities, durations and costs for an aerospace launch project are as follows:
Preceding Normal
Activity Description Activities Duration
(weeks)
A Check controls ‐ 3
B Check propellants A 5
C Check personnel A 3
D Assemble items C 1
E Move to launch pad B 3
F Run system tests B,D 4
G Check astronauts C 2
H Ground stations go? G,F 3
I Countdown E, H 1
a) Draw the scheduling network and determine the project duration, critical path.

MME30001 Engineering Management 1

Tutorial‐6 AON & CPM
Project Planning and Scheduling Gantt Charts

6. Construct a network for the following training and development project.

Preceding Normal
Activity Description Activities Duration
(weeks)
A Select personnel ‐ 3
B Invite personnel ‐ 5
C Budget ok? A 14
D Prepare materials A 5
E Engage instructor B 4
F Select date B 7
G Remind personnel D,E 8
H Start project G, F 5

a) Draw the scheduling network and determine the project duration, critical path.
b) Assume activity A: select personnel took 5 weeks instead. Re‐plan the project.
c) From where would you suggest transferring resources, and to what activities, so that the
original target training date may be maintained?

7. Listed below are the activities, duration (weeks), and precedence (dependencies) for a Web site
development project.
Activity Precedent Duration
Activity (Days)
A ‐ 6
B ‐ 4
C B 3
D B 3
E B 3
F A 5
G A 1
H D, F 4
I D, F 1
J E, G, I 5

a) Draw the scheduling network and determine the project duration, critical path.
b) What impact do the following changes have on the project network?
a. Activity J takes 3 days instead.
b. Activity A takes 4 days and Activity J takes 3 days instead.

MME30001 Engineering Management 1