excel question

1. In publishing a textbook, the following simplified sequence of activities applies, as shown below:

a) Construct the (PERT/CPM) network representation for this PROJECT. (This problem may also be easier if done with paper and pencil rather than Excel.)

(i) How long should the project take from start to finish?

(ii) What activities are on the critical path

b) If the project is well managed, it is possible to produce a book in 20 months or less without crashing any activities. This seems to contradict the findings in “a”. (Please give short answers to this question.)

(i) How do you think publishers get the job done so quickly?

(ii) Is PERT/CPM applicable to publishing?

ActivityPreceding ActivityExpected Completion Time

(Months)

A - Write book-11

B - Design bookA1

C - Edit manuscriptA6

D - Check editingC2

E - Accept designB1

F –Copy editD, E2

G – Prepare artworkD, E4

H – Accept and correct artwork G0.5

I – Set galleysF4

J – Check and correct galleysI1

K – Pull page proofsH, J2

L – Check and correct pagesK1

M- Prepare indexK1

N – Set and correct indexM0.5

O – Check camera-ready copyL, N0.5

P – Print and bind bookO2