Read the problem below and answer the two questions in a memo to management. Be sure to include all supporting documentation with your answer. Carefully read the instructions at the end of the problem.
Project DELTA
You have just been promoted to the role of assistant project manager to Jack Welch, who is in charge of project DELTA. DELTA is a code name that he assigned to the development of a top secret handheld electronic medical reference guide. DELTA would be designed for emergency medical technicians and paramedics who need a quick reference guide to use in emergency situations.
Jack and his top notch project team were developing a project plan aimed at producing 30 working models in time for one of the biggest medical equipment trade shows, FutureMed. The trade show will start on October 25. Meeting the FutureMed October 25 deadline is critical to success. All the major medical equipment manufacturers demonstrate and take orders for new products at FutureMed. Jack also heard rumors that competitors were considering developing a similar product, and he knew that being first to market would have a significant sales advantage. Besides, top management made funding contingent upon developing a workable plan for meeting the FutureMed deadline.
The project team spent the morning working on the schedule for DELTA. They started with a WBS and developed the information for a network, adding activities they needed. Then, the team added the time estimates they had collected for each activity. Below is the preliminary information for activities with duration times and predecessors.
Activity
Description
Duration
(in days)
Predecessors
1
Architectural decisions
10
None
2
Internal specifications
20
1
3
External specifications
18
1
4
Feature specifications
15
1
5
Voice recognition
15
2,3
6
Case
4
2,3
7
Screen
2
2,3
8
Speaker output jacks
2
2,3
9
Tape mechanism
2
2,3
10
Database
40
4
11
Microphone/soundcard
5
4
12
Pager
4
4
13
Barcode reader
3
4
14
Alarm clock
4
4
15
Computer I/O
5
4
16
Review design
10
5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13,14,15
17
Price components
5
5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13,14,15
18
Integration
15
16,17
19
Document design
35
16
20
Procure prototype components
20
18
21
Assemble prototypes
10
20
22
Lab test prototypes
20
21
23
Field test prototypes
20
19,22
24
Adjust design
20
23
25
Order stock parts
15
24
26
Order custom parts
2
24
27
Assemble first production unit
10
25,26
28
Test unit
10
27
29
Produce 30 units
15
28
30
Train sales representatives
10
29
Instructions
Prepare a short memo to senior management that addresses the following questions:
1. Will the project as planned meet the October 25th deadline? Assume that the project start date is January 1st.
2. What activities lie on the critical path? List all of them in correct sequence.
Attach supporting documentation that shows how you arrived at your answers.
Be sure to use tools you have learned about it Chapter 6, such as an AON network or Gantt chart. If you know how to use Microsoft Project, you may use it to validate your work. When creating an AON network, use the Automated Warehouse Order Picking Example in your book and the resulting AON network in Figure 6.8 on Page 173 as guide.
NOTE: If you only submit an answer with no supporting documentation that shows HOW you arrived at the answer, the assignment will receive a 0, even if the answers are correct. YOU MUST SHOW YOUR WORK!
Homework (requires an AON network diagram AND a written memo to senior management)
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