PM question 2

Question 2

Task 1 (notes; marking scheme- WBS and estimation)

Dawn Smith, project manager at Stark Industries, is planning and coordinating the

company’s move to a new building currently under construction. Dawn wants the move

to commence as soon as the building is ready for the estimated June 1st occupancy –

still 2 months away.

The entire move, which will affect 4 departments and 600 people, is to be completed

within 1 week. Because timing is critical, Dawn starts her planning by preparing a Gantt

chart. At the project level, she draws a bar 1 week [7 days] long and then subdivides it

into 3 major categories: (1) pack office supplies, equipment, and furniture [3 days

allotted]; (2) move everything [2 days allotted]; and (3) unpack and arrange it at new

location [2 days]. She then estimates the total number of boxes, equipment, and

furniture that will have to be moved in 2 days, gives the estimate to a moving

contractor, and receives a priced quote. To assist in packing and unpacking boxes and

equipment, Dawn intends to hire temporary workers. She estimates the number of

workers needed, gives it to a temp agency, and receives a priced quote.

Dawn shows the completed plan to you, her manager, and asks for a review of it. The

plan consists of the Gantt chart and a budget that is largely based on the priced quotes

from the moving agency and temp agency.

1. What do you think about Dawn’s approach to scheduling work and estimating

the costs? Do you consider her plan to be comprehensive stating why you have

reached that opinion?

2. Prepare a draft action plan in readiness for a meeting with Dawn that outlines

your guidance points that Dawn will need to adhere to when re-drafting her

plan.

Task 2 (notes; marking scheme- Critical Path and resource allocation)

Table 1 below lists activities for constructing a bridge over an operational railway line.

Table 1 Activities required ( Activity Activity Description Duration [Months] Predecessors A Detailed site investigation and survey 2 - B Detailed planning 6 A C Detailed design 6 B D Preparation of site 4 C E Relocate services 3 C F Re-align overhead track electrification 4 C,E G Access road and ramp construction 1 D H Piling 2 G J Construct foundations and abutments 3 H K Construct temporary supports 2 F,G L Fabrication planning of structural steel components 2 C M Manufacture structural steel components [off site] 2 L N Transport structural steel components and erect on site 1 M P Erect pylons and fill with concrete 2 J Q Construct main span deck on precast concrete beams 3 H,K,N,P R Install stay cables and lift the bridge off temp supports 3 Q S Remove temporary supports 1 R T Electrical system installation 1 S U Road surfacing 2 S V Finishing and ancillaries 2 T,U W Commissioning 1 V X Formal handover and ceremony 1 W Y Project sign-off 1 X Z Administrative closure 1 W AA Project end 0 Y,Z )

Table 2 lists the resources required to perform the activities

Table 2 Resource allocation

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

Construct a network diagram for the project

Indicate early and late start and finish times

Indicate the critical path

Indicate the total and free float for each activity

Allocate the resources to the activities and indicate the workload required for

each resource. Smooth the resources as necessary. ( Activity Activity Description Resources A Detailed site investigation and survey Surveyor, Engineer, Project Manager B Detailed planning Engineer, Project Manager, Contractor C Detailed design Engineer D Preparation of site Contractor, Project Manager E Relocate services Engineer, Project Manager F Re-align overhead track electrification Engineer, Contractor G Access road and ramp construction Contractor H Piling Contractor J Construct foundations and abutments Engineer, Contractor K Construct temporary supports Engineer, Contractor L Fabrication planning of structural steel components Engineer, Manufacturer M Manufacture structural steel components [off site] Engineer, Manufacturer N Transport structural steel components and erect on site Transporter, Engineer P Erect pylons and fill with concrete Engineer, Contractor Q Construct main span deck on precast concrete beams Engineer, Contractor R Install stay cables and lift the bridge off temp supports Engineer, Contractor S Remove temporary supports Engineer, Contractor T Electrical system installation Engineer, Contractor U Road surfacing Engineer, Contractor V Finishing and ancillaries Engineer, Contractor W Commissioning Engineer, Project Manager, Contractor X Formal handover and ceremony Engineer, Project Manager, Contractor Y Project sign-off Engineer, Project Manager, Contractor Z Administrative closure Engineer, Project Manager AA Project end Project Manager )