Production Control: Gantt and Network Techniques

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Questions and Answers

What is the primary focus of Gantt's contributions to production management?

  • Promoting efficient machine time reservation (correct)
  • Allocating resources for marketing strategies
  • Increasing the volume of produced goods
  • Maximizing profit by reducing production costs

In the context of PERT, what does the expected time represent?

  • The time the activity is actually expected to take based on probabilities (correct)
  • The maximum time allowed for completion of an activity
  • The average of all time estimates provided
  • The time taken by the previous activity in the sequence

What is a critical path in project management?

  • The shortest sequence of tasks that can be performed
  • The longest sequence of activities required to complete the project on time (correct)
  • The sequence of non-essential activities in a project
  • The sequence of activities that have the lowest cost

Which technique is designed to work with interrelated activities within projects?

<p>Network techniques (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What are the components of the critical path method (CPM) algorithm?

<p>Forward pass and backward pass (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which time estimate is NOT typically assigned in PERT?

<p>Critical time (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How do activities in a network diagram represent tasks?

<p>Each activity is represented by a line connecting events. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What differentiates PERT from other critical path methods?

<p>The assignment of probabilities to time estimates (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What best describes a critical activity in a project schedule?

<p>An activity that does not have any float, meaning Total Float=0. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does the length of a project primarily depend on?

<p>The longest path in the network diagram, known as the critical path. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How is the earliest finish time (EF) of an activity calculated?

<p>EF is the sum of the earliest start time (ES) and the duration of the activity. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which statement is true regarding total float in a project?

<p>Total float describes the delay an activity can endure without impacting the entire project. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of the backward pass in Critical Path Method (CPM)?

<p>To establish the latest start and finish times from the end of the network. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is true about dummy activities in project management?

<p>They represent a relationship in the activity sequence. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What condition leads to the classification of an activity as critical?

<p>The activity has zero float, meaning any delay affects the project timeline. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which statement about float is correct?

<p>Free float affects only the immediate successors of an activity. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Gantt Charts

A method for planning and controlling production, showing tasks and their schedule.

Network Techniques

Project scheduling and control using interconnected activities and events with time estimates.

Events (in Network Techniques)

Represent starting points or milestones in a production operation within a project, shown as circles.

Activities (in Network Techniques)

Represent the tasks or steps required to complete a project, shown as lines or arrows connecting events.

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PERT

A project management technique using probability analysis for time estimates, often for new projects.

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CPM

A project management technique that focuses on the critical path, which is the longest sequence of dependent tasks for project completion.

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Critical Path

The longest sequence of activities that must be completed on time for the entire project to finish.

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Critical Path Method Formula

A formula with two passes (forward pass and backward pass) to find the path that requires the most time.

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Forward Pass

Part of the CPM formula, calculating earliest start (ES) and earliest finish (EF) times.

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Backward Pass

Part of the CPM formula which calculates the latest possible start(LS) and finish times(LF) of tasks.

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Activity

Specific task in a project that requires resources (time, labor, material) to complete.

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Dummy Activity

A hypothetical activity used in a project network diagram to show a relationship between other activities, but consumes no time or resources.

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Node (Event)

A point in a project network diagram that marks the start or end of an activity. It takes no time.

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Path

A sequence of connected activities in a project network diagram.

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Network

The overall project plan that shows all activities, their dependencies, and timing.

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Critical Path

The longest path in the project network, determining the project's minimum completion time.

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Critical Activity

An activity that has zero float (slack) and directly affects the project completion time.

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Duration

The amount of time required to complete a project activity.

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Earliest Start Time (ES)

The earliest possible time a task can start.

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Latest Start Time (LS)

The latest time a task can start without impacting the project completion time.

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Earliest Finish Time (EF)

The earliest time a task can be finished, based on its duration and earliest start time.

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Latest Finish Time (LF)

The latest possible time a task can be finished without impacting the project deadline.

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Float (Slack)

The amount of time a task can be delayed without delaying the project.

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Total Float

The maximum amount of time an activity can be delayed without affecting the entire project schedule.

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Free Float

The amount of time an activity can be delayed without affecting the start time of its successor tasks.

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Forward Pass (CPM)

A method to calculate earliest start and finish times in a project network diagram.

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Backward Pass (CPM)

A method to calculate latest start and finish times in a project network diagram.

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Study Notes

Production Control - Gantt Charts

  • Gantt charts are a method for production planning and control.
  • Henry L. Gantt developed this method.
  • The method aims to optimize the flow of work between machines in a production process.
  • It provides a reliable way to reserve machine time for production jobs, minimizing delays.
  • Charts visually represent tasks and their scheduled progression over time.

Network Techniques

  • Network techniques are designed for projects with interconnected activities or events.
  • They use events (circles) and activities (lines) with time estimates.
  • Events represent starting/ending points in a production process.
  • Activities are the tasks that take time.
  • Program Evaluation Review Technique (PERT): Used for new projects with limited prior experience.
  • PERT assigns optimistic, most likely, pessimistic, and expected time estimates to activities.
  • Critical path methods (like PERT) calculate the total time required for completion.
  • Critical Path Method (CPM): another project management approach to calculate project completion time.
  • CPM helps to determine the critical path, the longest sequence of activities that dictates project completion time.
  • Delays in critical path activities impact the whole project.

Critical Path Method (CPM)

  • CPM uses an algorithm (forward and backward passes).
  • The forward pass determines earliest start (ES) and earliest finish (EF) times for each activity.
  • The backward pass calculates the latest start (LS) and latest finish (LF) times.
  • The critical path is the longest path in the network diagram.
  • Delays in critical path activities impact the entire project.

Network Diagrams

  • Diagrams graphically represent project activities and their dependencies.
  • Network diagrams use nodes (circles) for events and arrows for activities.
  • Nodes mark the beginning and ending of activities; arrows show activity dependencies.
  • Activities require time, labor, materials, or resources.
  • Dummy activities show relationships between activities without consuming resources.
  • A network shows the project schedule and its progression.

Errors to Avoid in Network Construction

  • Two activities starting from the same event should not have the same end event.
  • Looping errors (activities repeatedly in a cycle) must be avoided.
  • Networks should have a single start and a single end event.
  • Arrows should flow consistently (single direction).

Project Activity Tables

  • Tables list project activities and their predecessors.
  • Predecessors are activities that must be completed before another can begin.

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