Chapter 9 1. Define and explain all the following terms below: a. Path: b. Activity c. Early Start d. Early Finish e. Late Start f. Late Finish g. Forward Pass h. Backward Pass i. Node j. AON k. Float

a. Path b. Activity c. Early start d. Early finish e. Late start f. Late finish g. Forward pass h. Backward pass i. Node j. AON k. Float or Slack l. Critical path m. PERT 9.2 Distinguish between serial activities and concurrent activ- ities. Why do we seek to use concurrent activities as a way to shorten the project’s length? 9.3 List three methods for deriving duration estimates for project activities. What are the strengths and weaknesses associated with each method?

9.4 In your opinion, what are the chief benefits and draw- backs of using beta distribution calculations (based on PERT techniques) to derive activity duration estimates?

9.5 “The shortest total length of a project is determined by the longest path through the network.” Explain the concept behind this statement. Why does the longest path deter - mine the shortest project length?

9.6 The float associated with each project task can only be de- rived following the completion of the forward and back- ward passes. Explain why this is true.

Problems 9.1 Consider a project, such as moving to a new neighborhood, completing a long-term school assignment, or even clean- ing your bedroom. Develop a set of activities necessary to accomplish that project and then order them in a precedence manner to create sequential logic. Explain and defend the number of steps you identified and the order in which you placed those steps for best completion of the project.

9.2 What is the time estimate of an activity in which the opti- mistic estimate is 2 days, pessimistic is 12 days, and most likely is 4 days? Show your work.

9.3 What is the time estimate of an activity in which the op- timistic time is 5 days, the likely time is 8 days, and the pessimistic time is 14 days? Show your work.

9.4 Using the following information, develop an activity net- work for Project Alpha. Activity Preceding Activities A — B A C A D B, C E B F D G C H E, F, G 9.5 Construct a network activity diagram based on the follow- ing information: Activity Preceding Activities A — B — C A D B, C E B F C, D G E H F I G, H Problems 325