Research and Analysis of Business Problems
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implementation_lecture_rvsd.pdf
BA 301
Research & Analysis of Business Problems
1
Problem Solving 2
Context & Background
Problem Analysis & Description
Solution Development
Evaluation & Decision- Making
Communication & Implementation
Problem Solving 3
Context & Background
Problem Analysis & Description
Solution Development
Evaluation & Decision- Making
Communication & Implementation
The Last Step 4
Project
Management
Plan
Implement
Evaluate
Project Management Questions
How long will it take to complete the project?
What individual tasks make up the project and in what order
must they occur?
Where do we have flexibility in task start and finish dates,
i.e., which tasks can be delayed without affecting the overall
schedule?
What tasks are “critical” and must be completed exactly as
planned in order to keep on schedule?
Who is working on which task, and is there any flexibility, if
needed?
Are we going to be finished on time and on budget?
5
Project Management Tools
Modern project management software can help
answer these questions:
Critical Path Method (CPM)
PERT (Program Evaluation & Review Technique) for task
analysis
GANTT charts for evaluation and control
Programs like Microsoft Project combine these
techniques so that projects can be more predictable
and managed more proactively.
6
CPM (Critical Path Method)
What is the Critical Path?
It’s the sequence through a set of tasks with the longest
overall duration.
7
How Do The Tools Work?
They help you organize, manage and control a
project.
Identify the tasks/activities
Determine task sequence
Calculate task lengths
Graphically present an overview
And most importantly…
Work out the critical path
8
Modernize A Shopping Center
Task Code Description Predecessor Time (weeks)
A Prepare architectural drawings None 5
B Identify potential new tenants None 6
C Develop prospectus for tenants A 4
D Select contractor A 3
E Prepare building permits A 1
F Obtain permit approval E 4
G Perform construction D, F 14
H Finalize tenant contracts B, C 12
I Tenants move in G, H 2
Total Time = 51 weeks
Viewing The Plan Visually
Now you can see which task can be done
concurrently.
A
B
C
E
H
D
I
G
F
Start Finish
10
Critical Path
Figure out the Critical Path – the longest path through the project.
Total time can be reduced from 51 weeks to 26 weeks by working concurrently.
A
C
E
H
D
I
G
F
Start Finish
B
11
PERT
It lets you make an optimistic, pessimistic and “best
guess” estimate of the time it will take for each task
and the entire project.
Use a weighted average and a formula.
Plug this timing into the Project Management
Software.
Estimated Time = [(Optimistic x 1) + (Best Guess x 4) + (Pessimistic x1)]/6
Best Guess = 10 weeks
Pessimistic = 14 weeks
Optimistic = 8 weeks
Estimated Time = 10.2 weeks
12
PERT Example
GANTT Charts
Another way of looking at the relationships between
activities and manipulating dependencies.
14
Microsoft Project 15
Resources
You must also allocate resources to each of the
activities.
Who will do it?
How much will it cost?
Materials and labor
Many software packages will allow you to track
progress against budget and manage resource
allocation.
16
Outcome Measurement
Were we successful, and how do we know?
Refer back to the cost-benefit analysis:
If there were quantitative benefits, relate them back to the
analysis.
If qualitative, questionnaires and interviews can be used to
determine whether they were realized.
Develop measures to look at short-term and long-term
impacts of the solution.
Review unexpected outcomes and survey stakeholders.
17
BA 301
Research & Analysis of Business Problems
18
Problem Solving 19
Context & Background
Problem Analysis & Description
Solution Development
Evaluation & Decision- Making
Communication & Implementation
Problem Solving 20
Context & Background
Problem Solving 21
Problem Analysis & Description
Problem Solving 22
Solution Development
Problem Solving 23
Evaluation & Decision- Making
Problem Solving 24
Communication & Implementation
Problem Solving 25
Context & Background
Problem Analysis & Description
Solution Development
Evaluation & Decision- Making
Communication & Implementation
