brain-storming session

1. CPM: The following activities were listed during a brain-storming session on product development. Find the critical path and time for the project. Find the slack for all activities. Solve it by using TWO of the following approaches:

I. Manual Approach

II. Excel

III. MS Project

 Organize the sales office: Hire sales manager. (6 weeks)

 Hire sales personnel: The sales manager will recruit and hire the salespeople needed. (4 weeks)

 Train sales personnel: Train the salespeople hired to sell the product to the distributors. (7 weeks)

 Select advertising agency: The sales manager will select the agency best suited to promote the new product. (2 weeks)

 Plan advertising campaign: The advertising agency will plan the advertising campaign to introduce the product to the public. (4 weeks)

 Conduct advertising campaign: The advertising agency will conduct a “watch for” campaign for potential customers. (10 weeks)

 Design package: Have packaging engineer design the package. (2 weeks)

 Set up packaging facility: Prepare to package the products when they are received from the manufacturer. (10 weeks)

 Order and receive stock from the manufacturer: Order the stock from the manufacturer. The time given includes the time for delivery. (13 weeks)

 Package stocks: Package stocks received from the manufacturer. (6 weeks)

 Select distributors: The sales manager will select the distributors whom the salespeople will contact to make sales. (9 weeks)

 Sell to distributors: Take orders from the distributors for the new product, with delivery promised for the product-introduction date. (6 weeks)

 Ship stock to distributors: Ship the packaged stock to distributors in accord with their orders. (6 weeks)

Precedence relations are defined as following: