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1.Introduction

The assignment comprises two parts and you should answer both parts. Please answer each part and sub-part in separate sections (each section should have a title relevant to the question, e.g. “Part 1a”, “Part 1b”, “Part 1c”, “Part 2”). The proportion of marks available for each part is indicated below.

2.Coursework Context & Questions

A high-tech company has decided to proceed with a project (named internally by the company’s management as “Project-X21”) that will aim to develop a critical and complex technological component which will enhance the capabilities of several of the company’s product families. For this project, the activities and their time estimates have been identified (see Table I).

Table I: Activities & Time Estimates identified.
Activity Precedents Duration estimates (days)
Optimistic Most likely Pessimistic
A – 12 16 22
B – 16 28 32
C A 8 10 13
D – 22 34 40
E B 10 17 22
F C, D 6 9 12
G F 5 8 13
H C 14 27 35
I H 14 22 23
J E, G 20 26 32
K E 16 37 38

Part 1:
a) [20%]
Using PERT analysis and the Activity on Node (AoN) representation, draw a network diagram for the project. Identify all paths and the critical path, calculate float for each activity, and calculate the probability of completing the project in 80 days (assume the time estimates are given at 99% confidence).

b) [10%]
To reduce uncertainty in the time estimates the company has the option to reduce the time of Activity J. A contractor has advised that they would be able to complete Activity J without any uncertainty in the activity’s time estimate, in which case its revised time estimate would be 28 days. Perform a time analysis incorporating the

time estimate proposed by the contractor and advise if there is any time-related benefit for the project.

c) [20%]
With reference to this project, compare and contrast the Programme Evaluation and Review Technique (PERT) used above with the potential use of Monte Carlo simulation.

Part 2 [50%]:
Explain what Agile Project Management (APM) is. Critically discuss the potential applicability of APM principles to Project-X21.

3.Preparation and Submission

This assignment is to be completed individually.

The maximum length for the coursework is 1,500 words (excluding appendices, tables/figures and references). Appendices are optional and can be used to provide background analysis and/or additional info or diagrams. You do not need to provide an executive summary, an introduction section, or overall conclusions at the end of the report.

Scanned handwritten drawing(s) can also be accepted for electronic submission, but please note that they should be embedded in the document (i.e. not as a separate file); it is the student’s responsibility to ensure any such part is legible and appropriately structured. All contents of the report should be legible when printed on A4 paper size.

The recommended referencing system is Harvard. For Part 1a & Part 1b: it is not necessary for you to describe the Project Management technique(s) or refer to papers or textbooks about the method(s). For Part 1c and Part 2: references to background reading will add value (including the module core text and other sources). Clearly justify your approaches followed in the answers and highlight any assumptions made.