Computer science
Activity 1:
Question one: Fast-tracking and crashing a project schedule
Part one: References
Feylizadeh, M. R., Mahmoudi, A., Bagherpour, M., & Li, D. F. (2018). Project crashing using a fuzzy multi-objective model considering time, cost, quality, and risk under fast tracking technique: A case study. Journal of Intelligent & Fuzzy Systems, 35(3), 3615-3631.
Inoue, Y., Mori, K., & Komiya, S. (2012, April). Automatic creation of countermeasure plan against process delay: creation of countermeasures based on crashing and fast-tracking valve. In Proceedings of the 11th WSEAS international conference on Applied Computer and Applied Computational Science (pp. 243-251). World Scientific and Engineering Academy and Society (WSEAS).
Part two: Definition
Fast-tracking entails the performance of activities in parallel while crashing a project schedule, on the other hand, entails adding some time to the project (PMI, 2019).
Part three: Course of action
When asked to reduce the planned duration of a project by 5 days, I will ensure that the similar activities are done together at once. What will change in the project plan, in this case, is the project duration. There will also a change in project cost and this is in terms of paying for additional costs of labor in regard to overtime.
Part four: Recommendation
If the request to speed up occurs after 25 days of the original schedule the only option available is to ask the employees to work overtime.
Question two: Difference between total slack and free slack
Part one: References
Lambrechts, O., Demeulemeester, E., & Herroelen, W. (2011). Time slack-based techniques for robust project scheduling subject to resource uncertainty. Annals of Operations Research, 186(1), 443-464.
Tan, J. (2003). Curvilinear relationship between organizational slack and firm performance: Evidence from Chinese state enterprises. European Management Journal, 21(6), 740-749.
Part two: Definition
Total slack is the amount of time that the project can be delayed without impacting on the finishing date of the project while free slack is the time that an activity can be delayed without impacting on the following activity (PMI, 2019).
Part three: Importance of the distinction between the two to a project manager.
It is important for a project manager to differentiate between total slack and free slack as this will help in meeting the set timelines and this is by knowing the amount of delay that can be initiated to a project.
Question three: WBS for Athlete Accommodation
Activity 2
One of the products that I would like to introduce in the market is the automatic hand sanitizers. The target market for this product is the malls whereby many people are known to attend. People attending malls can be profiled as those between the middle and upper class. The reason as to why I chose this target market because it comprises of people from all walks of life, and who are equally prone to contracting coronavirus.
Reference
Institute, P. M. (2019). A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK
(R) Guide-Sixth Edition. Chicago: Project Management Institute.