1g CPA and Gantt Charts *

Question 1

Describe critical path analysis as a tool for project planning (4 marks)

Answer 1

 shows the relationships between parts of a project
(1) and the time each part will take to complete / EST and LFT / the overall time it will take to complete (1)
 allows the project manager to identify the critical path for each part (1) which is the order they have to be done in (1)
 if one part is delayed (1) the entire project will not meet the final deadline (1)
 once the time for each part is established (1) the critical path is the one that has the maximum time (1)
 allows the project manager to identify tasks that may run over time (1) in order to divert additional resources (1)

Question 2

Describe two ways Gantt charts are used as a tool for project planning. (4)

Answer 2

list the order that tasks need to be completed in (1) and any necessary predecessor tasks (1)
 an overall plan can be constructed (1) indicating where
simultaneous tasks can take place / total time of project (1)  each task is represented as a block of time (1) each block
gives an indication of how long each task is expected to take
compared with other tasks (1)
 individuals can be allocated to tasks (1) and people and
equipment hired at the right time (1)
 pressure points can be identified (1) when all members of the
team are working at capacity and all resources have been allocated (1)

Question 3

Explain two advantages of using Critical Path Analysis (CPA) when developing a system. (4)

Answer 3

allows tasks that must be completed first to be seen (1) allowing resources to be directed to them (1)
 shows the redundancy that is built in (1) showing which parts of the project can overrun without affecting the rest (1)
 shows the concurrent tasks (1) which allow the project manager to hire more staff to complete them (1)
 shows when resources need to be on site (1) so money not tied up in buying resources before they are required (1).

Question 4

Create a Critical Path Analysis diagram for the development of this software application using the data in the table below. 15a June 2011, Look at the table

Answer 4

Refer to June 2011 q15a mark scheme