PROJECT MANAGEMENT

Syllabus Outcomes :

• Construct and interpret a network, identify the critical path, and calculate the free and total float.

• Evaluate the value of a network in the management of projects.

What is a Project?O A specific and temporary activity

with a start and end date, clear goals, defined responsibilities and budget

What is Project Management?

O Using modern management techniques to carry out and complete a project from start to finish in order to achieve pre set targets of quality, time and cost

Key Elements of Project Management

O Defining the project objectives clearly

O Dividing the project into manageable tasks and activities

O Controlling the project at every stage to check that time limits are being kept to

O Giving each team member a clear role

O Providing controls over quality issues and risks

Consequences of Poor Project Management

O Penalty payments having to be paid to the customers

O Bad publicity in the construction industry

O Loss of future contracts

CRITICAL PATH ANALYSIS CPA

O Refers to planning technique that identifies all tasks in a project, puts them in the correct sequence and allows the identification of critical path.

O CPA involves drawing a network diagram that indicates the shortest possible time in which a project can be completed

CPA Network DiagramO The diagram used in CPA analysis

that shows the logical sequence of activities and the logical dependence between them

The CPA StepsO 1. identify the objectives of the project – eg build a

factory in 6 wksO Break the project into separate jobs/activitiesO Determine how long each task will takeO Identify all dependent activities O Put tasks of the project into the right sequence

and draw a network diagramO Show the earliest start time EST and latest

finishing time LFT for each activityO Identify the critical path – the activities that must

be finished on time for the project to be finished in the shortest time

Critical ActivitiesO These are activities that cannot be

delayedO Therefore any delays in these

activities – delays the completion of the whole project.

Arrow = activity

Node (circle) = end of each activity

Interpreting the Diagram

Node No

EST

LFT

Activity/ Task Duration of Activity/Task

Float = difference between the EST and LFT

Steps to Construct a Network Diagram

1. identify all tasks involved in the project2. Order the tasks in the correct sequence3. Identify tasks that can take place at the same time4. Design the network5. Identify the critical path

Constructing a CPA Network Diagram

O http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZQw-jNWkJM4

O Follow the link above to learn how to construct a CPA network diagram