Question: Case 1: Brightstar Industries You will lead a training session for new employees at Brightstar Industries. You must develop a specific schedule for the following tasks (the estimated duration is shown in parentheses): First, you need to contact the participants and explain their roles (1 day). Then you must obtain approval from their department managers (3 days). After you obtain the approval, two tasks can begin at the same time: you can arrange the meeting room (1 day) and prepare an agenda for the initial session (8 days). When the agenda is ready, you can start two more concurrent tasks: prepare the information packets (3 days) and create visual aids (6 days). When the meeting room is arranged and the information packets are ready, you can send out an e-mail to participants (1 day). Finally, after the e-mail is sent to participants and the visual aids are ready, you can conduct the JAD sessions (7 days). Tasks Prepare a list showing all tasks and their durations. Analyze the fact situation carefully to determine which tasks are concurrent and which ones depend on other tasks. Develop a PERT/CPM chart that shows the project. Use a format similar to what is in the textbook. Use project management software if it is available. What is the critical path for this project? How do you know?

Case 2: Bayside Financial At Bayside Financial, where you work as a project manager, you have been asked to conduct user training sessions for a new information system. You must develop a specific schedule for the tasks (the estimated task duration for each is shown in parentheses): First, confirm arrangements for the training facility you plan to use (3 days). After you have confirmed the training facility, two tasks can begin at the same time: you need to send an e-mail message to all department managers announcing the training sessions (1 day) and you can develop the training material (5 days). As soon as the training material is complete, you can work on two tasks at once: arrange to have copies of handout material printed (2 days) and develop a set of PowerPoint slides (5 days). When the PowerPoint slides are ready, you conduct a practice training session with the instructor who will assist you (2 days). Finally, when the practice session is over and the handout material is ready, you can conduct the user training sessions (4 days). Tasks Prepare a list showing all tasks and their durations. Analyze the fact situation carefully to determine which tasks are concurrent and which ones are dependent on other tasks. Create a PERT chart that shows the project. Use a format similar to what is in the textbook. If project management software is available, use it to develop the chart. What is the critical path for this project? How do you know?