Project Manager Scheduling Activity Question (Blue Hills Ski Resort)
Blue Hills has become a popular skiing destination in the Boston area. It is conveniently located close to the city and has some difficult paths for not being a large hill. The owners have been hoping to further capitalize on their proximity to Boston by building up additional ski slopes and a new Lodge. The results of an economic feasibility study just completed by members of the staff show that a winter resort complex near the base of the hill could be a very profitable venture. The hope is that the new buildings and slopes could be put in place this summer during the off-season so that the Lodge and new paths can open by late Fall 2018. The board has decided that construction should begin no later than April 1 and be completed by October 1, in time for the next skiing season. You have been assigned the task of project manager, and it is your job to coordinate the ordering of materials and construction activities to ensure the project's completion by the required date. The sub-projects are: a lodge, a new chair lift, and a new generator house.
After looking into the possible sources of materials, you are confronted with the following time estimates. Materials for the chair lift will take 30 days, to arrive once the order is submitted. Lumber for the lodge, generator hut, and foundations for all buildings will each take 9 days to arrive. The electrical and plumbing materials for the lodge will take 12 days to arrive. The generator will take 12 days to arrive. Before actual construction can begin on the various facilities, a road to the site must be built; this will take 6 days. As soon as the road is in, clearing can begin concurrently on the sites of the day lodge, generator house, and chair lift. It is estimated that the clearing task at each site will take 6 days, 3 days, and 36 days respectively. The clearing of the main ski slopes can begin after the area for the chair lift has been cleared; this will take 84 days.
The foundation for the day lodge will take 12 days to complete. Construction of the main framework will take an additional 18 days. After the framework is completed, electrical wiring and plumbing can be installed concurrently. These should take 24 and 30 days, respectively. Finally, the finishing construction on the day lodge can begin; this will take 36 days.
Before the chair lift towers can be installed, the site must be cleared, lumber delivered, and the foundation completed (6 days total).This step can be begun once the area for the chair lift itself has been cleared. The installation of the chair lift towers should be completed in 67 days. While the towers are being installed, the electric motor to drive the chair lift can be installed (24 days). Once the towers are completed and the motor installed, it will take 3 days to install the cable and an additional 12 days to install the chairs.
The foundation for the generator house can begin at the same time as the foundation for the lodge; this will take 6 days. The main framework for the generator house can begin once the foundation is completed; framing will take 12 days. After the house is framed, the diesel generator can be installed in 18 days. Finishing construction on the generator house can now begin and will take 12 more days.
1. Create some sort of visual representation of the activity on node network. This can be a picture of a pen and paper drawing or an electronic picture, whatever is easiest for you.
2. Identify the critical path on your network picture. Which is the critical path? [Note: the critical path is the dependent sequence of tasks which will take the longest to complete.]
3. Can the project be completed by October 1? If you make assumptions (such as working on the weekend or through holidays) be sure to identify them.