ASSIGNMENT 3

You are managing the construction of small office building. The project
involves several key activities such as site preparation, foundation laying,
structural framing, electrical wiring, and finishing touches.

Q1 Understanding PERT and CPM

Based on case study, explain the key differences between PERT and CPM.
Which technique will be more suitable for a project where time estimates
for activities are uncertain and why?

Ans1 PERT (Program Evaluation and Review Technique) and CPM (Critical
Path Method) are two widely used project management techniques, each
with specific features and applications. Here's a breakdown of their key
differences and their suitability in construction projects like building an
office:

Key Differences Between PERT and CPM

1. Focus on Time vs. Cost:

o PERT: Primarily focuses on time management and handles

uncertainty in activity durations by using probabilistic time
estimates (optimistic, most likely, and pessimistic).

o CPM: Emphasizes cost and time efficiency, assuming activity

durations are known and deterministic.

2. Time Estimates:

o PERT: Uses three-time estimates (optimistic, most likely, and

pessimistic) to calculate the expected time for each activity.
This is useful for projects where activity times are uncertain.

o CPM: Uses a single, fixed time estimate for each activity,

making it suitable for projects where activity durations are
predictable and stable.

3. Type of Projects:

o PERT: Best suited for R&D, innovation, and other projects with
uncertain timelines, where time prediction is challenging.

o CPM: Typically applied to construction, manufacturing, and

repetitive projects where activity durations are well-
established.

4. Flexibility in Adjusting Activities:

 o PERT: Offers more flexibility in adjusting activities since it
allows for uncertainty and varied time estimates.

o CPM: Focuses on optimizing critical paths, with less emphasis

on handling unpredictable changes in activity durations.

Suitability for Projects with Uncertain Time Estimates

For a project where time estimates for activities are uncertain, PERT
would be more suitable than CPM. In construction projects like an office
building, certain activities (e.g., site preparation, unexpected delays due
to weather) might have unpredictable durations. PERT’s probabilistic
approach allows for variability and provides a range of completion times,
offering a realistic timeline under uncertainty.

Using PERT would enable better risk management and provide insights
into the likelihood of meeting project deadlines, thus making it more
adaptable for managing unforeseen delays and estimating completion
timelines effectively.

Q2 Developing the network diagram

Using the case study activities (site preparation, foundation laying,

structural framing, electrical wiring, finishing touches), create a basic
network diagram to represent the project schedule. Identify the
dependencies between activities and explain why these dependencies are
important for scheduling.

Ans2 A network diagram visually represents the sequence and

dependencies between tasks in a project. Here’s how the activities for
constructing a small office building can be organized in a basic network
diagram, with dependencies identified and explained.

Activities and Dependencies

Site Preparation (A):

o Description: Clearing and leveling the site, setting up access

points, and ensuring necessary infrastructure for construction
is ready.

Foundation Laying (B):

o Description: Pouring the concrete foundation, which serves

as the structural base of the building.
Structural Framing (C):

o Description: Erecting the building’s framework, including

walls, floors, and roof.

o Electrical Wiring (D):

o Description: Running electrical cables and setting up wiring

for lights, outlets, and other systems.

Finishing Touches (E):

o Description: Painting, installing fixtures, and final inspections

to make the building ready for occupancy.

Network Diagram

Here’s a basic network diagram, where arrows indicate dependencies

between activities:

(A) Site Preparation

(B) Foundation Laying

(C) Structural Framing

(D) Electrical Wiring

(E) Finishing Touches

Explanation of Dependencies

 Site Preparation ➔ Foundation Laying: Without proper site

preparation, the ground may not be stable or prepared for
foundation work, leading to delays or structural risks.
  Foundation Laying ➔ Structural Framing: The frame requires a
solid, cured foundation; any instability here affects the building’s
integrity.

 Structural Framing ➔ Electrical Wiring: Wiring relies on walls

and frames, so structural framing must be complete to provide
pathways and support.

 Electrical Wiring ➔ Finishing Touches: Electrical systems must

be safely installed and inspected before finishing touches, which
include fixtures and final cosmetic work.

Importance of Dependencies

These dependencies are crucial for effective project scheduling as they

ensure:

 Structural Integrity: Each phase supports the next, from site

readiness to framing and wiring, preventing structural and safety
risks.

 Efficiency: Ensuring one activity is completed before starting the

next minimizes delays and rework.

 Resource Planning: Sequential dependencies help plan resources,

ensuring skilled labor is available when needed for each activity.

In this project, managing dependencies effectively ensures a smooth

workflow, keeping the project on schedule and within budget.

Q3 Critical path identification

Using CPM, identify the critical path in the project from case study. What
significance of the critical path, and how does it affect the duration of the
project?

Ans2 To identify the critical path using the Critical Path Method (CPM) in
the construction of a small office building, we need to consider the
sequence of activities, their durations, and dependencies. The critical path
is the longest sequence of dependent activities, determining the shortest
possible duration to complete the project. Any delay in an activity on the
critical path will delay the entire project.

Let's assume estimated durations for each activity based on a typical

project schedule:

 Site Preparation (A): 5 days

 Foundation Laying (B): 10 days

 Structural Framing (C): 15 days

  Electrical Wiring (D): 7 days

 Finishing Touches (E): 5 days

Dependencies

1. A ➔ B: Foundation work cannot start until the site is prepared.

2. B ➔ C: Framing depends on the foundation.

3. C ➔ D: Electrical work depends on the completion of framing.

4. D ➔ E: Finishing work depends on electrical wiring.

Network Diagram with Dependencies

The network diagram will look like this:

(A) Site Preparation - 5 days

(B) Foundation Laying - 10 days

(C) Structural Framing - 15 days

(D) Electrical Wiring - 7 days

(E) Finishing Touches - 5 days

Determining the Critical Path

Now we calculate the total duration of this sequence of activities by

adding up the durations along this path:

 Total Duration (A ➔ B ➔ C ➔ D ➔ E):

5+10+15+7+5=425 + 10 + 15 + 7 + 5 = 425+10+15+7+5=42
days

Since this is the only path through which all activities are sequentially
dependent, it is also the critical path. Any delay in any of these activities
will delay the completion of the entire project.
Significance of the Critical Path

1. Determining Project Duration: The critical path defines the

minimum time needed to complete the project, which in this case is
42 days.

2. Resource Allocation: Resources should be prioritized for activities

on the critical path to prevent delays.

3. Risk Management: Monitoring and managing activities on the

critical path is essential, as delays here directly impact the project's
completion date.

4. Slack Time: Non-critical activities (if any existed in a larger project)

might have slack time, allowing flexibility in scheduling. However,
on the critical path, slack time is zero, meaning activities must start
and finish as scheduled.

Effect of the Critical Path on Project Duration

Since the critical path is the longest sequence of tasks with no slack, any
delay on this path will increase the project duration. For example, if
Foundation Laying (B) is delayed by 2 days, the entire project
completion will be delayed by 2 days, resulting in a new duration of 44
days.

Therefore, understanding and managing the critical path is crucial to

ensure timely project delivery.

Q4 Assume that the some activities in the case study have uncertain
durations. For one activity, calculate the expected time using PERT given
optimistic, most likely, and pessimistic time estimates: 3 weeks, 5 weeks,
8 weeks). How does this information help in better project planning and
risk management?

Ans4 o calculate the expected duration for an activity using the Program
Evaluation and Review Technique (PERT), we apply the PERT formula,
which considers three time estimates:

 Optimistic time (O): Best-case duration with no delays (3 weeks)

 Most likely time (M): Normal or most common duration (5 weeks)

 Pessimistic time (P): Worst-case duration with significant delays

(8 weeks)

The expected time (TE) formula in PERT is:

TE= O+ 4M + P/ 6

Using the provided time estimates:

  O = 3 weeks

 M = 5 weeks

 P = 8 weeks

Calculation

TE= 3+ 4(5)+8/ 6

TE= 31/6 = 5.17 weeks

So, the expected time for this activity is approximately 5.17 weeks.

How This Information Helps in Project Planning and Risk

Management

1. Improved Time Estimation: By incorporating optimistic, most

likely, and pessimistic durations, PERT provides a more nuanced
estimate. Rather than relying on a single fixed duration, this
approach accounts for possible variations, making planning more
flexible and realistic.

2. Risk Assessment: The range between the optimistic and

pessimistic estimates (3 to 8 weeks) highlights the potential
variability and risk associated with this activity. If the project
schedule is highly dependent on this task, the range helps identify
possible delays and plan for contingencies.

3. Buffer Planning: Knowing the expected time and the range allows
for better scheduling of buffers or contingency time in the project
timeline. This can help mitigate the impact of unforeseen delays
without affecting the overall project deadline.

4. Resource Allocation: By understanding the probable duration,

project managers can allocate resources more efficiently, ensuring
that materials, labor, and equipment are available when most likely
needed.

5. Sensitivity Analysis for Critical Path: If this activity lies on the

critical path, the variability in its duration can directly impact the
project's completion date. Knowing the expected time and potential
delays helps in better monitoring and prioritizing critical path
activities for timely completion.

Overall, PERT’s probabilistic approach helps anticipate and plan for

uncertainties, making it a valuable tool for managing the risks associated
with variable activity durations in construction projects.