You have been approached by a colleague Marcus who has asked you for some assistance in solving a resource scheduling problem on one of her projects. Her project is aimed a training a group of people on how to use a new system that has been implemented at your company. While there are several courses that need to be delivered to different users, there are only three trainers with relevant knowledge to deliver the training. The table below summarises some of the key information related to the project.
ID
Task
Predecessor
Duration (hours)
Trainers required
Notes
A
Orientation
None
4
3
The course introduces delegates to the system and gives them and orientation of its functions and capabilities
B
Sales 101
A
3
3
The course focuses on basic sales transactions
C
Purchasing 101
A
4
2
The course teaches buyers how to issue purchase orders to suppliers
D
Receiving 101
A
3
1
This course trains good receiving clerks on how to receive stock into the warehouse
E
Sales 102
B
4
3
This course teaches the more advance aspects of selling and customer relationship management to salespeople
F
Stock
C;D
3
1
This course is aimed at management and addresses stock adjustment and stock count procedures
G
Management 101
E;F
6
3
This course is aimed at management and teaches them and teaches them about the system management tools
2.1 Answer the following questions below
2.1.2 What is the project’s expected duration? (2 marks)
2.1.3 Identify the critical path. (2 marks)
2.1.4 Should Marcus commit to this schedule? What would happen if he did? (3 marks)
2.2 Marcus is required to address the following:
2.2.1 What options would Marcus have to shorten the duration of the project? (3 marks)
2.2.2 Identify the risks that need to be addressed. (3 marks)
2.2.3 What would recommend Marcus i does before finalising the project plan and communicating it to her stakeholders? NB: Please ensure you review the communication plan in your study material. (9 marks)