Schedule and Resource Optimisation

Question 1

7 Steps to creating and maintaining a schedule.

Answer 1

1. Verify scope - work breakdown structure.
2. Estimate duration of task
3. Determine the dependencies between tasks
4. Carry out optimisation of the schedule and test the logic
5. Assign the resources
6. Check the schedule meets target criteria
7. Baseline and monitor.

Question 2

What 4 tools are used during schedule planning?

Answer 2

1. Work Breakdown Structure
2. Network Diagram
3. Gantt Chart
4. Resource Histogram

Question 3

What are the benefits of a critical path? (6)

Answer 3

1. Accurate estimate of project duration.
2. Estimate of the time that’s necessary to complete each project
3. identify critical activities that require close supervision.
4. identify which projects can be delayed without impacting overall schedule of tasks.
5. Identify through dependencies resource constraints and project risks.
6. Prioritise tasks and create realistic schedules.

Question 4

What is the process for creating a critical path? (7)

Answer 4

1. Collect project activities in a work breakdown structure
2. Identify dependencies
3. Create network diagram
4. Estimate the timeline using past projects
5. Critical path formula - forward and backward pass
6. Identify the critical path (0 float tasks)
7. Revise during execution.

Question 5

Differences between critical path and critical chain

Answer 5

Purpose:

Critical path focuses on managing activities

critical chain focuses on managing resource.

Time:

Critical path manages the tasks to ensure there is no delay but does not aim to decrease.

critical chain aims to reduce the time spent on tasks to create buffers that may be used when issues arise that impact time.

Benefit:

Critical path highlights the most important tasks

critical chain makes the most productive use of resource.

Question 6

List 4 Types of Resources

Answer 6

• Human
• Materials
• Plant or equipment
• Facillities such as test sites.

Question 7

What considerations need to be taken when allocating resource?

Answer 7

1. Identify and prioritise critical activities
2. Resource needs space to operate
3. Materials need space to be stored

Question 8

Explain resource allocation in a linear life cycle?

Answer 8

1. Assumes resource is available when required.
2. If it is not available resource levelling or smoothing will be applied.
3. If the above doesn’t work the project end date must be pushed back.

Question 9

Explain resource allocation in an iterative life cycle

Answer 9

1. Ensures requirements are prioritised implemented and pre-allocate resource.
2. Vary the scope and quality achieved in he time box it needed
3. If scope must be delivered to specific quality then the time moves back.
4. Specific requirements may be withdraw if the project needs to finish on time

Question 10

3 differences between Resource Smoothing and Resource Levelling

Answer 10

Purpose:

Levelling focuses on resource management

smoothing focuses on time management.

Process:

Levelling the critical path of the project can change

smoothing the critical path is fixed.

Time:
Levelling start and finish time can change

Smoothing the timeline is fixed.