Operations Management-project management Flashcards
What is CPA?
A project management technique that requires mapping out every key task necessary to complete a project
Identifies the amount of time necessary to finish each activity+any dependencies
What does a node represent in CPA?
Start and end of activity
What should the first node in a project have?
An LFT and EST of 0
What happens if there is more than one activity going into a node from right to left?
The lower number is taken
What can CPA help with?
CPA can resolve problems related to delays
Knowing float times may allow management to switch resources away from activities with a positive float to the critical activities to resolve any delays
Define float time
Amount of time a task can be delayed without delaying the whole project completion data
Define total float
Amount of time an activity can be delayed from its start date without delaying the first time of the project
Define free float
Amount of time the network can be delayed without causing delay to the next task
How do you work out total float?
LFT-Duration-EST
(LFT of this activity)
(EST of this activity)
How do you work out free float?
EST-Duration-EST
(EST of next activity)
(EST of this activity)
When can free float only occur?
When 2+ activities share a common successor/when activities converge on a network diagram
Which of the floats is larger or equal to the other?
Total float is always larger or equal to the free float
What is a dummy activity?
Shows the dependency between activities but isn’t a task
Has no duration and shown with a dotted line
What are the advantages of CPA?
Reduces risks/costs
Encourages careful assessment
Helps spot any float to transfer resources
Useful overview of complex projects
Helps calculate the shortest time of completion
What are the disadvantages of CPA?
Based on estimates
Doesn’t guarantee success of a project
Resources might not be as flexible as they are seen to be
Can become too complicated on the diagram
