1. Problem recognition, definition and evaluation
As the tasks within AACE Certification Course have links between them, they cannot all happen at the same time. Hence, critical path analysis (CPA) can be used to determine what can happen and when. The problem statement is to determine why Blog Posting and Weekly Reports are not on the critical path, taking into account the sequence of tasks and their interrelationships within the AACE Certification Project.
Project Estimated Duration: 26 weeks = 208 Hours (average)
Basis of Estimates: 26 weeks (1Hr per day = 8 Hrs per week) = 26 x 8Hrs = 208 Hours
Critical path: A - B - D - F - H: Critical path activities have the longest duration (hours).
2. Development of the feasible alternatives
a. Critical path activities:
Critical activities have zero float, an activity may have critical predecessor and successor, but it may be a non-critical activity. T o qualify as a critical activity, the float must be equal to zero.
b. Non Critical path activities:
Non critical activities contain float time, hence delay in non-critical activities could not potentially delay entire project schedule.
c. Free Float:
This is the amount of time an activity can be delayed without affecting the commencement of a subsequent activity at its earliest start time.
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3. Development of the outcomes and cash flows for each Alternative
Calculating early dates for tasks:
Calculating late dates for tasks:
Finding tasks with spare (slack or float) time:
4. Selection of the acceptable criteria
Highlighting critical tasks:
5. Analysis and Comparison of the alternatives
Critical activities have zero float and non critical activities contain float time. The existence of float time in Blog posting and weekly reports disqualify them as critical activities and as such not on the critical path.
6. Selection of the preferred alternative
To qualify as a critical activity, the float must be equal to zero. An activity may have critical predecessor and successor, but it can be a non-critical activity. Hence Blog Posting and Weekly Reports are not on the critical path, taking into account their sequence and interrelationships within the project – AACE Certification.
7. Performance Monitoring and Post Evaluation of Results
During performance monitoring and post evaluation of results, when Blog posting and weekly reports are measured against above criteria, even though they may have long durations, have critical predecessor and successor but they are non-critical activities and therefore not on the critical path due to existence of float time.
8. References/Bibliography
1. Humphreys, G. C. (2011). Project Management Using Earned Value (2nd ed. Chap 8 P.163-P.187-Critical Path Method Fundamntals). Humphreys & Associates, Inc. Retrieved from: http://www.humphreys-assoc.com/evms/project-management
2. Figure out the early start and early finish:
3. Performing critical path analysis technical tips and Project Learning:
4. Giammalvo, Paul D. (2012). AACE N413_W14 Weekly Reports Guidelines.
Retrieved from: W14 weekly Blog Guidelines
Good posting, Austin..... BUT......
ReplyDeleteWas the paper and the problems done finish to start or were the problems and paper done Start to Start?
And what about the blog postings? How are they logically linked to the Mapping?
Sorry, but the logic in this is all messed up....
What you need to do is set this up in MS Project and then you can calculate which activities are critical and which are not. Excel is not really the best or most effective tool for doing this.
I will ACCEPT this posting as it was done correctly, even though the content was not well done......
BR,
Dr. PDG, Jakarta