Quantitative Methods for Health Services

12-1 Using the information in Table 12-7, construct a PERT network and answer each of the following questions:

• a. What is the expected project completion data?
• b. What is the scheduled start and completion date for each activity?
• c. Which activities are on the critical path?
• d. How long can noncritical path activities be delayed without jeopardizing the overall completion date for this project?
• 12-2 Assess the impact of the following changes to the time estimates provided in question 12-1. Individually, what is the impact if:

  Activity	Predecessor	New Time Estimate
  O. Advertise for new staff	N	4
  P. Interview for new staff	O	6
  Q. Select new staff	P	1
  Collectively, what is the impact of these changes?

• 12-3 As project manager for the example included in question 12-1, what would you recommend to preserve the original project completion date if activity A was reestimated to take 8 weeks, not the original 4 weeks? Provide details.
• 12-4 Develop a WBS and PERT network with no more than 20 activities for each of the following projects.
  • a. Buying a car
  • b. Screening 1000 school-age children for high blood pressure and reporting the results to the child’s physician

  • Table 12-7 Project to Convert a 20-Bed Unit in a Nursing Home to Accommodate Patients with Dementia

    Activity		Predecessor	Time estimate (weeks)
    A	Secure state approval	–	4
    B	Identify 20-bed unit to be used	A	1
    C	Move existing residents	B	1
    D	Clean space	C	2
    E	Develop architectural plans	A	9
    F	Install new heating and ventilation systems	E	4
    G	Install security systems	E	2
    H	Move walls; renovate	F	4
    I	Identify new equipment	A	1
    J	Order new equipment	I	1
    K	Unpack and inspect new equipment	J	1
    L	Install new equipment	D, K, H	3
    M	Reassign staff	A	1
    N	Identify new staffing needs	M	1
    O	Advertise for new staff	N	3
    P	Interview for new staff	O	2
    Q	Select new hires	P	3
    R	Develop care plan protocols	M	1
    S	Train staff	R, Q, M, L	1
    T	Modify quality assurance plans	S	2
    U	Coordinate with hospital discharge planners	T	4
    V	Complete internal audit	U, G	1