Project Management, 2e (Pinto) Chapter 12 Resource Management 12.1
True/False
1) There is, for almost all projects, usually a dominant constraint that serves as the final arbiter of project decisions. Answer: TRUE Diff: 1 Section: 12.1 The Basics of Resource Resource Constraints Skill: Definition AACSB Tag: Reflective 2) In a resource constrained project, the work must be finished by a certain tim e, or date, as efficiently as possible. Answer: FALSE Diff: 1 Section: 12.1 The Basics of Resource Resource Constraints Skill: Definition AACSB Tag: Reflective 3) All that is needed to create a resource loading calendar is the work breakdow n structure and the activity network. Answer: FALSE Diff: 2 Section: 12.2 Resource Loading Skill: Factual AACSB Tag: Reflective 4) Because resource management is typically a multivariate, combinatorial proble m (i.e., on that is characterized by multiple solutions involving literally doze ns, hundreds, or even thousands of activity variables) truly correct answers are not possible. Answer: FALSE Diff: 2 Section: 12.3 Resource Leveling Skill: Definition AACSB Tag: Reflective 5) A resource loading table is created through identifying the project activitie s and their resources required to completion and applying this information to th e project schedule baseline. Answer: TRUE Diff: 2 Section: 12.3 Resource Leveling Skill: Factual AACSB Tag: Reflective 6) If resources have been over-allocated, the loading table must be reconfigured to eliminate resource contention points. The project manager can focus solely o n the original point of contention since the activities in a project are separat e entities. Answer: FALSE Diff: 2 Section: 12.3 Resource Leveling Skill: Conceptual AACSB Tag: Reflective 7) Resource loading charts are used to display the amount of resources required as a function of time on a graph.
Answer: TRUE Diff: 2 Section: 12.4 Resource Loading Charts Skill: Definition AACSB Tag: Reflective 8) If an activity can be split, only the functional portion of the original acti vity needs to be accomplished for the project to be fully completed. Answer: FALSE Diff: 2 Section: 12.4 Resource Loading Charts Skill: Factual AACSB Tag: Reflective 9) The problem of resource underutilization that a project manager faces when ma naging a single project disappears in the multi-project environment. Answer: FALSE Diff: 2 Section: 12.5 Managing Managing Resources Resources in Multiproject Multiproject Environments Skill: Factual AACSB Tag: Reflective 10) In-process inventory represents the amount of work waiting to be completed b ut delayed due to unavailable resources. Answer: TRUE Diff: 2 Section: 12.5 Managing Managing Resources Resources in Multiproject Multiproject Environments Skill: Factual AACSB Tag: Reflective 12.2
Fill in the Blank
1) The __________ is primarily limited by availability of a type of labor or pro ductive asset but may also contain some activities of work package elements that must be finished by a certain date. Answer: mixed-constraint project Diff: 1 Section: 12.1 The Basics of Resource Resource Constraints Skill: Factual AACSB Tag: Reflective 2) The best method for establishing the existence of resource conflicts across p roject activities uses __________ to analyze project resources against scheduled activities over the project's baseline schedule. Answer: resource loading charts Diff: 1 Section: 12.1 The Basics of Resource Resource Constraints Skill: Factual AACSB Tag: Reflective 3) The concept of __________ refers to the amounts of individual resources that a schedule requires during specific time periods. Answer: resource loading Diff: 2 Section: 12.2 Resource Loading Skill: Definition AACSB Tag: Reflective 4) The work breakdown structure and activity networks are needed to create a res ource __________ or __________.
Answer: loading form, usage calendar Diff: 2 Section: 12.2 Resource Loading Skill: Factual AACSB Tag: Reflective 5) __________ is the process that addresses the complex challenges of project co nstraints as to minimize the effects of resource demands across the project's li fe cycle. Answer: Resource leveling (resource smoothing) Diff: 2 Section: 12.3 Resource Leveling Skill: Definition AACSB Tag: Reflective 6) One heuristic for prioritizing resource allocation is to apply resources to a ctivities with the smallest __________, which proponents say results in the smal lest schedule slippage in the overall project. Answer: slack Diff: 2 Section: 12.3 Resource Leveling Skill: Factual AACSB Tag: Reflective 7) As resource leveling proceeds, a(n) __________ commonly occurs when the resou rce schedule is reworked to eliminate sources of resource conflict. Answer: ripple effect Diff: 2 Section: 12.3 Resource Leveling Skill: Conceptual AACSB Tag: Reflective 8) __________ are used to display the amount of resources required as a function of time on a graph. Answer: Resource loading charts Diff: 2 Section: 12.4 Resource Loading Charts Skill: Definition AACSB Tag: Reflective 9) __________ an activity means interrupting the continuous stream of work on an activity at some midpoint in its development process and applying that resource to another activity for some time period before returning the resource to compl ete the original task. Answer: Splitting Diff: 2 Section: 12.4 Resource Loading Charts Skill: Definition AACSB Tag: Reflective 10) Schedule slippage often results in financial penalties, or __________, for e ach day a project is delayed past the contracted delivery date. Answer: liquidated damages Diff: 2 Section: 12.5 Managing Managing Resources Resources in Multiproject Multiproject Environments Skill: Factual AACSB Tag: Reflective 12.3
Multiple Choice
1) A project that must be finished by December 31st is: A) time-constrained. B) resource-constrained. C) mix-constrained. D) capacity-constrained. Answer: A Diff: 1 Section: 12.1 The Basics of Resource Resource Constraints Skill: Definition AACSB Tag: Reflective 2) The One Shovel Construction Company is hired by the City of Edmond to lay sew er pipe from the east end of town to the west end of town. While the crew would like to begin at both ends simultaneously and have a dramatic ceremony when both ends meet, they find themselves with a bit of a: A) time constraint. B) resource constraint. C) mixed constraint. D) partial network. Answer: B Diff: 1 Section: 12.1 The Basics of Resource Resource Constraints Skill: Conceptual AACSB Tag: Reflective 3) The assistant professor frantically prepared his tenure and promotion dossier for the personnel committee. The deadline loomed and he had several other thing s to accomplishî deadlines for papers and key correspondence that demanded replies. B y his reckoning, he probably didn't have enough toner, paper, or computing time available to accomplish all that he had left to do. His project is unfortunately a: A) time constrained one. B) resource constrained one. C) mix-constrained one. D) personally constrained one. Answer: C Diff: 1 Section: 12.1 The Basics of Resource Resource Constraints Skill: Conceptual AACSB Tag: Reflective 4) The best method for establishing the existence of resource conflicts across p roject activities uses: A) Gantt charts. B) network diagrams. C) Pareto diagrams. D) resource loading charts. Answer: D Diff: 1 Section: 12.1 The Basics of Resource Resource Constraints Skill: Definition AACSB Tag: Reflective 5) The amounts of individual resources that a schedule requires during specific time periods is referred to as the resource's: A) loading. B) capacity. C) constraint. D) drag
Answer: A Diff: 1 Section: 12.2 Resource Loading Skill: Definition AACSB Tag: Reflective 6) A resource loading form is also known as a(n): A) load schedule. B) resource usage calendar. C) activity resource schedule. D) network resource profile. Answer: B Diff: 2 Section: 12.2 Resource Loading Skill: Definition AACSB Tag: Reflective 7) A resource loading form can be generated once you have developed: A) the activity network and productivity profile. B) the work breakdown structure and the project budget. C) the activity network and the work breakdown structure. D) the project budget and the productivity profile. Answer: C Diff: 2 Section: 12.2 Resource Loading Skill: Factual AACSB Tag: Reflective 8) Which of the following would NOT typically be displayed in a resource loading table? A) the project team members B) the tasks the project team members have been assigned C) the time the activities are expected to take D) the expenses allocated to the activities Answer: D Diff: 2 Section: 12.2 Resource Loading Skill: Factual AACSB Tag: Reflective 9) Use the resource loading table to determine which of the Yaki sisters is over -allocated. Resource Suki 64 A 16 C 24 D 24 Terri 40 B 24 E 16
hrs hrs hrs hrs hrs hrs hrs
Work Work Work Work Work Work Work Wo Work
Details 23-Oct 32h 32h 16h 16h 8h 24h 16h 16h 16h 8h 8h
30-Oct
8h 8h
A) Suki B) Terri C) Both D) Can't be determined from the information provided. Answer: A Diff: 2 Section: 12.2 Resource Loading Skill: Definition
AACSB Tag: Reflective 10) The process that addresses the complex challenges of project constraints is known as: A) TOC. B) resource leveling. C) constraint scheduling. D) resource scheduling. Answer: B Diff: 2 Section: 12.3 Resource Leveling Skill: Definition AACSB Tag: Reflective 11) Which of these statements about resource management is best? A) A mathematically optimal solution is almost always attainable and should be p ursued. B) The project manager should level resources as to maximize fluctuations from t ime period to time period. C) A common approach to analyzing resource-leveling problems is to apply heurist ics. D) Resource management is usually a univariate, combinatorial problem. Answer: C Diff: 2 Section: 12.3 Resource Leveling Skill: Conceptual AACSB Tag: Reflective 12) The project described in the table uses the same resource for activities A, B, C, and D. Which activity gets first use of this resource if we assign the res ource based on the activity with the smallest amount of slack? Activity W 4 A 3 B 4 C 5 D 6 E 1 Z 7
Duration -12 W 16 W 15 W 13 W 14 B 17 A,E,C,D 18
Predecessor
WBS ID
A) Activity A B) Activity B C) Activity C D) Activity D Answer: D Diff: 2 Section: 12.3 Resource Leveling Skill: Analytical AACSB Tag: Analytic Skills 13) The project described in the table uses the same resource for activities A, B, C, and D. Which activity gets first use of this resource if we assign the res ource based on the activity with the shortest duration? Activity W 4 A 3 B 4 C 5
Duration -12 W 16 W 15 W 13
Predecessor
WBS ID
D E Z
6 1 7
W 14 B 17 A,E,C,D 18
A) Activity A B) Activity B C) Activity C D) Activity D Answer: A Diff: 1 Section: 12.3 Resource Leveling Skill: Analytical AACSB Tag: Analytic Skills 14) The project described in the table uses the same resource for activities A, B, C, and D. Which activity gets first use of this resource if we assign the res ource based on the activity with the greatest number of successor tasks? Activity W 4 A 3 B 4 C 5 D 6 E 1 Z 7
Duration -12 W 16 W 15 W 13 W 14 B 17 A,E,C,D 18
Predecessor
WBS ID
A) Activity A B) Activity B C) Activity C D) Activity D Answer: B Diff: 1 Section: 12.3 Resource Leveling Skill: Analytical AACSB Tag: Analytic Skills 15) The project described in the table uses the same resource for activities A, B, C, and D. Which activity gets first use of this resource if we assign the res ource based on the activity with the lowest activity identification number? Activity W 4 A 3 B 4 C 5 D 6 E 1 Z 7
Duration -12 W 16 W 15 W 13 W 14 B 17 A,E,C,D 18
A) Activity A B) Activity B C) Activity C D) Activity D Answer: C Diff: 1 Section: 12.3 Resource Leveling Skill: Analytical AACSB Tag: Analytic Skills
Predecessor
WBS ID
16) Use the project described in the table to determine the total resources requ ired for activity D if a worker is expected to work half-time (four hours per da y) on this project. Activity A 5 B 4 C 5 D 6 E 6 F 6
days days days days days days
Duration -A A B C,D E
Predecessor
A) 6 hours B) 40 hours C) 24 hours D) 48 hours Answer: C Diff: 1 Section: 12.3 Resource Leveling Skill: Analytical AACSB Tag: Analytic Skills 17) Use the project described in the table to determine the total resources requ ired for this project if a worker is expected to devote half-time (four hours pe r day) to this project. Activity A 5 B 4 C 5 D 6 E 6 F 6
days days days days days days
Duration -A A B C,D E
Predecessor
A) 36 hours B) 40 hours C) 64 hours D) 128 hours Answer: D Diff: 2 Section: 12.3 Resource Leveling Skill: Analytical AACSB Tag: Analytic Skills 18) Use the project described in the table to determine the total resources requ ired for this project on day 2 if a worker is expected to devote half-time (four hours per day) to this project. Activity A 5 B 4 C 5 D 6 E 6 F 6 A) B) C) D)
4 2 8 6
hours hours hours hours
days days days days days days
Duration -A A B C,D E
Predecessor
Answer: A Diff: 1 Section: 12.3 Resource Leveling Skill: Analytical AACSB Tag: Analytic Skills 19) Use the project described in the table to determine the total resources requ ired for this project during week 1 if a worker is expected to devote half-time (four hours per day) to this project. Assume that the project work is conducted on a 5-day-per-week basis. Activity A 5 B 4 C 5 D 6 E 6 F 6
days days days days days days
Duration -A A B C,D E
Predecessor
A) 40 hours B) 20 hours C) 28 hours D) 36 hours Answer: B Diff: 1 Section: 12.3 Resource Leveling Skill: Analytical AACSB Tag: Analytic Skills 20) Use the project described in the table to determine the total resources requ ired for this project during week 2 if a worker is expected to devote half-time (four hours per day) to this project. Assume that the project work is conducted on a 5-day-per-week basis. Activity A 5 B 4 C 5 D 6 E 6 F 6
days days days days days days
Duration -A A B C,D E
Predecessor
A) 30 hours B) 20 hours C) 40 hours D) 36 hours Answer: C Diff: 2 Section: 12.3 Resource Leveling Skill: Analytical AACSB Tag: Analytic Skills 21) Use the project described in the table to determine the total resources requ ired for this project on day 10 if a worker is expected to devote half-time (fou r hours per day) to this project. Assume that the project work is conducted on a 5-day-per-week basis. Activity A 5 days B 4 days
Duration -A
Predecessor
C D E F
5 6 6 6
days days days days
A B C,D E
A) 5 hours B) 10 hours C) 4 hours D) 8 hours Answer: D Diff: 2 Section: 12.3 Resource Leveling Skill: Analytical AACSB Tag: Analytic Skills 22) Use the information in the table and assume that a worker is expected to dev ote half-time (four hours per day) to this project with work taking place on a 5 -day-per-week basis. Which week has the lowest resource usage? Activity A 5 B 4 C 5 D 6 E 6 F 6
days days days days days days
Duration -A A B C,D E
Predecessor
A) week 6 B) week 2 C) week 4 D) week 3 Answer: A Diff: 2 Section: 12.3 Resource Leveling Skill: Analytical AACSB Tag: Analytic Skills 23) Use the information in the table and assume that a worker is expected to dev ote half-time (four hours per day) to this project with work taking place on a 5 -day-per-week basis. Which week has the highest resource usage? Activity A 5 B 4 C 5 D 6 E 6 F 6
days days days days days days
Duration -A A B C,D E
A) week 6 B) week 2 C) week 4 D) week 3 Answer: B Diff: 2 Section: 12.3 Resource Leveling Skill: Analytical AACSB Tag: Analytic Skills
Predecessor
24) Use the information in the table and assume that a worker is expected to dev ote half-time (four hours per day) to this project with work taking place on a 5 -day-per-week basis. Which week has the highest resource usage? Activity A -B A C A D B E B F B G C,D H E,F J G,H K J
Predecessor 4 6 4 11 5 5 4 6 4 6 6 3 8 11 8 8 3 10 6 4
Hours per Day
Time (Days)
A) week 4 B) week 5 C) week 6 D) week 7 Answer: C Diff: 3 Section: 12.3 Resource Leveling Skill: Analytical AACSB Tag: Analytic Skills 25) Use the information in the table and assume that a worker is expected to dev ote half-time (four hours per day) to this project with work taking place on a 5 day per week basis. Which week has the lowest resource usage? Activity A -B A C A D B E B F B G C,D H E,F J G,H K J
Predecessor 4 6 4 11 5 5 4 6 4 6 6 3 8 11 8 8 3 10 6 4
Hours per Day
Time (Days)
A) week 3 B) week 2 C) week 9 D) week 8 Answer: D Diff: 3 Section: 12.3 Resource Leveling Skill: Analytical AACSB Tag: Analytic Skills 26) Use the information in the table and assume that a worker is expected to dev ote half-time (four hours per day) to this project with work taking place on a 5 -day-per-week basis. What is the total resource requirement for the project? Activity A -B A C A
Predecessor 4 6 4 11 5 5
Hours per Day
Time (Days)
D E F G H J K
B B B C,D E,F G,H J
4 4 6 8 8 3 6
6 6 3 11 8 10 4
A) 365 hours B) 335 hours C) 320 hours D) 310 hours Answer: A Diff: 3 Section: 12.3 Resource Leveling Skill: Analytical AACSB Tag: Analytic Skills 27) Use the information in the table and assume that a worker is expected to dev ote half-time (four hours per day) to this project with work taking place on a 5 -day-per-week basis. What is the total resource requirement for activity G? Activity A -B A C A D B E B F B G C,D H E,F J G,H K J
Predecessor 4 6 4 11 5 5 4 6 4 6 6 3 8 11 8 8 3 10 6 4
Hours per Day
Time (Days)
A) 22 hours B) 88 hours C) 44 hours D) 132 hours Answer: B Diff: 1 Section: 12.3 Resource Leveling Skill: Analytical AACSB Tag: Analytic Skills 28) Use the information in the table and assume that a worker is expected to dev ote half-time (four hours per day) to this project with work taking place on a 5 -day-per-week basis. If the project manager is told that the total number of hou rs per week cannot exceed 48, what is the first week that some resource leveling must occur? Activity A -B A C A D B E B F B G C,D H E,F J G,H
Predecessor 4 6 4 11 5 5 4 6 4 6 6 3 8 11 8 8 3 10
Hours per Day
Time (Days)
K
J
6
4
A) week 2 B) week 6 C) week 4 D) week 5 Answer: C Diff: 3 Section: 12.3 Resource Leveling Skill: Analytical AACSB Tag: Analytic Skills 29) A project consisting of six activities is represented in the resource loadin g table shown below. There is a limit of 12 hours time spent on this project for any given day. What activities are involved in the first resource problem in th is schedule? Act. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 19 A B 4 C D 4 E 4 F 6
10 20 4 4
11 21 4 4
12
13
4
4
4
4
14
15
16
17
18
4 4 5
4
4
4
4
5
5
5
5
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
6
6
A) Activities A, B, and C B) Activities B, C, and D C) Activities C, D, and E D) Activities D, E, and F Answer: D Diff: 1 Section: 12.3 Resource Leveling Skill: Analytical AACSB Tag: Analytic Skills 30) A project consisting of six activities is represented in the resource loadin g table shown below. There is a limit of 12 hours time spent on this project for any given day. Which activity should be left alone if at all possible in the ad justment process among the candidates? Act. 1 2 3 4 5
6 7 8 9 19 A B 4 C D 4 E 4 F 6
10 20 4
11 21 4
12
13
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
6
6
14
15
16
17
18
4 4 5
4
4
4
4
5
5
5
5
4
A) Activity D B) Activity C C) Activity F D) Activity E Answer: A Diff: 2 Section: 12.3 Resource Leveling Skill: Analytical AACSB Tag: Analytic Skills 31) A resource loading chart displays: A) the amount of time needed as a function of resource limits. B) the amount of resources required as a function of time. C) the amount of time needed as a function of money. D) the amount of resources needed as a function of money. Answer: B Diff: 2 Section: 12.4 Resource Loading Charts Skill: Definition AACSB Tag: Reflective 32) Splitting activities refers to: A) assigning the work to two or more workers. B) assigning the work to two or more days. C) starting an activity, interrupting it to use a resource elsewhere, and then r eturning to work on the activity. D) breaking each non-critical activity into two or more components and subdividi ng the resources they use by a similar divisor. Answer: C Diff: 2 Section: 12.4 Resource Loading Charts Skill: Analytical AACSB Tag: Analytic Skills 33) Use this resource load chart to determine which activity uses the fewest res ources. A) Activity B) Activity C) Activity D) Activity Answer: D Diff: 2
A B C D
Section: 12.4 Resource Loading Charts Skill: Analytical AACSB Tag: Analytic Skills 34) Use this resource load chart to determine which activity uses the greatest n umber of resources. A) Activity A B) Activity B C) Activity C D) Activity D Answer: A Diff: 2 Section: 12.4 Resource Loading Charts Skill: Analytical AACSB Tag: Analytic Skills 35) Use this resource load chart to determine which activity is the longest in d uration. A) Activity A B) Activity B C) Activity C D) Activity D Answer: B Diff: 1 Section: 12.4 Resource Loading Charts Skill: Analytical AACSB Tag: Analytic Skills 36) The project represented by this resource load chart has a maximum limit of 6 units of resource activity in any day. The first activities that are strong can didates for shifting are: A) Activity A B) Activities B and C C) Activities D and E D) Activity E and F Answer: C Diff: 2 Section: 12.4 Resource Loading Charts Skill: Analytical AACSB Tag: Analytic Skills 37) The project represented by this resource load chart has a maximum limit of 6 units of resource activity in any day. Which activity could be split to help th e project team finish on time and meet the resource cap? A) Activity A B) Activities B and C C) Activities D and E D) Activity E and F Answer: D Diff: 2 Section: 12.4 Resource Loading Charts Skill: Analytical AACSB Tag: Analytic Skills 38) Penalty clauses for schedule slippage are sometimes referred to as:
A) liquidated damages. B) punitive damages. C) temporal assessments. D) late fees. Answer: A Diff: 2 Section: 12.5 Managing Managing Resources Resources in Multiproject Multiproject Environments Skill: Definition AACSB Tag: Reflective 39) The amount of work waiting to be completed but delayed due to unavailable re sources is known as: A) resource utilization. B) in-process inventory. C) resource underutilization. D) efficiency. Answer: B Diff: 2 Section: 12.5 Managing Managing Resources Resources in Multiproject Multiproject Environments Skill: Definition AACSB Tag: Reflective 40) Excessive in-process inventory is often caused by: A) schedule slippage. B) over-ordering supplies. C) lack of available resources. D) too much labor. Answer: C Diff: 2 Section: 12.5 Managing Managing Resources Resources in Multiproject Multiproject Environments Skill: Factual AACSB Tag: Reflective 41) Consider the portfolio of projects described in the table. The resource requ irements are in numbers of labor hours. The First in Line rule would begin work with project: Project 3 A B C D
Date Rec'd
Date Due
Resource 1
Resource 2
Apr Feb Mar Jan
Oct Sep Aug Nov
125 200 100 150
100 400 200 350
2006 2006 2006 2006
2006 2006 2006 2006
200 350 650 250
Resource
A) A. B) B. C) C. D) D. Answer: A Diff: 1 Section: 12.5 Managing Managing Resources Resources in Multiproject Multiproject Environments Skill: Analytical AACSB Tag: Analytic Skills 42) Consider the portfolio of projects described in the table. The resource requ irements are in numbers of labor hours. The Greatest Resource Demand rule would begin work with project: Project Date Rec'd 3
Date Due
Resource 1
Resource 2
Resource
A B C D
Apr Feb Mar Jan
2006 2006 2006 2006
Oct Sep Aug Nov
2006 2006 2006 2006
200 125 100 150
350 200 650 250
400 100 200 350
A) A. B) B. C) C. D) D. Answer: A Diff: 2 Section: 12.5 Managing Managing Resources Resources in Multiproject Multiproject Environments Skill: Analytical AACSB Tag: Analytic Skills 43) Consider the portfolio of projects described in the table. The resource requ irements are in numbers of labor hours. The Greatest Resource Utilization rule w ould begin work with project: Project 3 A B C D
Date Rec'd
Date Due
Resource 1
Resource 2
Apr Feb Mar Jan
Oct Sep Aug Nov
200 150 0 150
400 170 200 0
2006 2006 2006 2006
2006 2006 2006 2006
0 200 250 100
Resource
A) A. B) B. C) C. D) D. Answer: B Diff: 2 Section: 12.5 Managing Managing Resources Resources in Multiproject Multiproject Environments Skill: Analytical AACSB Tag: Analytic Skills 44) The Minimum Late Finish Time rule stipulates that: A) the earliest late finishers are scheduled last. B) the latest early finishers are scheduled first. C) the earliest late finishers are scheduled first. D) the latest late finishers are scheduled first. Answer: C Diff: 1 Section: 12.5 Managing Managing Resources Resources in Multiproject Multiproject Environments Skill: Definition AACSB Tag: Reflective 45) Mathematical programming is sometimes used to generate optimal solutions to resource constrained problems in a multi-project setting but suffers from: A) an inability to model project and activity due dates. B) resource substitution. C) resource constraints. D) problem complexity. Answer: D Diff: 2 Section: 12.5 Managing Managing Resources Resources in Multiproject Multiproject Environments Skill: Conceptual AACSB Tag: Reflective
12.4
Essay
1) What are the three types of constraints that projects face; provide examples and suggest ways to address these constraints? Answer: The three main types of constraints constraints that a project manager faces are ti me constraints, resource constraints, and mixed constraints. Examples of each wi ll vary. In the time-constrained project, the work must be finished by a certain time, or date, as efficiently as possible. In the resource-constrained project, the work must not exceed some predetermined level of resource use within the organizatio n. While the project is to be completed as rapidly as possible, speed is not the ultimate goal. The mixed-constraint project is primarily resource constrained b ut may contain some activities or work package elements that are time constraine d to a greater degree. Time constraints can be addressed by increasing the percentage of worked time un til the due date by working overtime or on weekends and holidays. Increasing the labor pool through dedicated personnel or subcontractors or automating processe s, buying more powerful or efficient equipment, or improving work methods can al l help speed up a project. Resource constraints may be addressed by leveling a p roject or extending the time available. Mixed constraints can be addressed by so me combination of these techniques. Diff: 2 Section: 12.1 The Basics of Resource Resource Constraints Skill: Factual AACSB Tag: Reflective 2) Use this activity precedence table to create a resource loading profile. Acti vity lengths are given in days and an 8-hour day is assumed. Activity A 2 B 3 C 6 D 5 E 3 F 2 G 2 Answer: Task 10 A B C 8 D E 8 F G 8 Total 8
Time
Predecessor
A B A C D E,F
The loading chart is as follows: follows: 1 11 8
2 12 8
3 13
4 14
5 15
8
8
8
6 16
7
8
9
8
8
8
8
8
8 8
8
16
16
8 8 8 8 16 8
8
8
8
16 8
16 8
16 8
16 8
16 8
16
The loading profile shows the number of hours required for each of the 14 days o f the project.
Diff: 2 Section: 12.2 Resource Loading Skill: Analytical AACSB Tag: Analytic Skills 3) Describe resource levelingî its objectives and the basic five-step technique to pe rform it. Answer: Resource leveling is the process that addresses the complex challenges challenges of project constraints. With resource leveling we are required to develop proced ures that minimize the effects of resource demands across the project's life cyc le. Resource leveling has two objectives: - to determine the resource requirements so that they will be available at the r ight time, and - to allow each activity to be scheduled with the smoothest possible transition across usage levels. The basic steps necessary to produce a resource-leveled project schedule include the following: - Create a project activity network diagram. - From this diagram, create a table showing the resources required for each acti vity, the activity durations, and total float available. - Develop a time-phased resource loading table that shows the resources required to complete each activity, the activity early starts, and late finish times. - Identify any resource conflicts and begin to smooth the loading table using on e or more of the heuristics for prioritizing resource assignment across activiti es. - Repeat the fourth step as often as necessary to eliminate the source of resour ce conflicts. Diff: 2 Section: 12.3 Resource Leveling Skill: Conceptual AACSB Tag: Reflective 4) What are any four heuristics for prioritizing resource allocation to activiti es? Why would a project manager choose one above another? Answer: The decision rules for prioritizing resource resource allocation allocation discussed in th e text are: - activities with the smallest amount of slack, - activities with the smallest duration, - activities with the lowest identification number, - activities with the most successor tasks, - activities requiring the most resources. These decision rules can be applied more easily than searching for an optimal or near optimal solution given the complexity of a typical resource management pro blem. The first rule, prioritizing activities with the smallest slack has some s upport for resulting in the smallest overall schedule slippage. The fourth rule allows for completing the greatest number of tasks once the activity in question has been completed. There may be any number of individual circumstances why one rule is more appealing than another. Diff: 2 Section: 12.3 Resource Leveling Skill: Conceptual AACSB Tag: Reflective 5) Create a resource loading table and perform resource leveling on the project composed of the activities in this table. Activities listed in the table are mea sured in the number of eight-hour days. The maximum amount of time used per day
is 16 hours. Activity A 6 B 1 C 2 D 4 E 1 F 1 G 6 H 4 J 4 K 3 L 5 M 3 Answer: Act 10 20 A B C D E F 8 G 8 H 8 J 8 K 8 L 8 M 8 Tot. 16 8
Time --A, B -C, D E E F F G, H J, K L
Predecessor
The initial resource loading loading table with early starts is shown below: 1 11 21 8 8
2 12 22 8
3 13 23 8
4 14 24 8
8
8
8
8
5 15 25 8
6 16 26 8
7 17
8 18
8
8
9 19
8
8
8
8
8
8
8
8
8
8
8
8
8
8
8
8
8
8 24 24 8
8 16 24 8
16 24 8
16 24 8
8
8 8 8
8 8 8
8 8
8 8
8 8
Day 1 is problematic, but activities B and D both have plenty of slack. Activity B has a late start of 5 and D has a late start of 4. Starting D on Day 2 change s the schedule the least and keeps the project under 16 hours per day until Day 11. Activities G, H, and J combine for 24 hours on Days 11-14; G has no slack, H has 1 day slack, and J has 4 days slack. Move J back to a Day 15 start time to resolve this constraint and the new loading table appears below: Act 10 20 A B C D E
1 11 21 8 8
2 12 22 8 8
3 13 23 8 8
4 14 24 8 8
5 15 25 8
6 16 26 8
7 17
8 18
8
8
9 19
8 8
F 8 G 8 H 8 J 8 K 8 L 8 M 8 Tot 16 8
8
8
8
8
8
8
8
8
8
8
8
8
8
8
8
8
8 16 16 8
8 16 16 8
16 16 8
16 16 8
8
16 16 8
8 16 8
8 16
8 16
8 8
Diff: 3 Section: 12.3 Resource Leveling Skill: Analytical AACSB Tag: Analytic Skills 6) Sam and Dave have identified 9 activities that are required to complete their next project and developed a snazzy resource loading table. Since they each wor k 8 hours a day, they need your help to perform resource leveling on their proje ct such that they can finish it by the close of business on Day 24. Activity flo at times are indicated by bracketed cells in the table. Times indicated in the t able are in hours; the top row shows the day number of the project. The total pr oject. The total resource time in any day cannot exceed 16 hours. 10 20 Z Y X ] W ] V 6] T ] S 8 R ] P 6 Total 6 6
1 11 21 6 8 8
2 12 22 6 8 8
3 13 23 6 8 8
4 14 24 ] 8 8
5 15
6 16
7 17
8 18
8
8
8
8]
5
5
5
5
5
9 19
5 6
8
8
8
8
6
6
6
8
8
8] 4
6 22 8 6
6 22 8 6
6 22 8 6
6 21 8 6
6] 19 8
19 8
19 8
17 8
11 6
Answer: Pushing activities X, T, and R back to their their late start times accomplis hes the objective of finishing on time and at less than 16 hours of labor each d ay. Activity
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9 19 Z Y X 8 W V 6 T 6 S 8 R 4 P 6 Total 14 6
10 20 6 8
11 21 6 8
12 22 6 8
8
8
8
13 23
14 24
15
16
17
8
8
8
8
8
5
5
5
5
5
5 6
13 8
11 6
6
6
8
8
8
8
8
8
8
6 14 16 6
6 14 16 6
6 14 16 6
6 13 14 6
6 13 14
13 14
13 12
18
Diff: 3 Section: 12.3 Resource Leveling Skill: Analytical AACSB Tag: Analytic Skills 7) What resources have been initially over-allocated in the project described by the table? Assume that all activities will begin at their early start times and require the number of hours per day indicated in the table. Each worker is avai lable for 8 hours per day. Do not level this project. Activity er Day A 9 B 8 C 13 D 11 E 6 F 9 G 9 H 9 M 9 J 4 K 1 L 11
Activity Length Predecessor --A B B C D E F, G F, H M, J K
Lisa Nathan Jake Nathan Jake Lisa Jake Lisa Nathan Lisa Nathan Jake
Resource
Resource Hours P
1 7 6 6 4 4 5 6 7 2 6 7
Answer: Resource loadings are summarized in the table. table. Over-allocations Over-allocations occur w ith Lisa on day 23; Jake on days 10-14 and again on days 20-22. Worker Lisa 10-14 15-22 23 24-31 32-35 36-52 0 6
Days 1-9
1
Loading
10 4 2 0 Nathan 9-19 20-31 32-40 41 42-52 6 0 7 6 0 Jake 9 10-14 15-19 20-22 23-28 29-41 42-52 4 10 6 11 5 0 7
1-8
7
1-8
0
Diff: 2 Section: 12.3 Resource Leveling Skill: Analytical AACSB Tag: Analytic Skills 8) Create a resource loading chart using early start times for the project descr ibed by this table. Activity A 14 B 2 C 4 D 9 E 8 F 2 G 3 H 5 K 1 L 13 Answer:
Time --A B C C D F, G E H, K
Predecessor 4 5 5 4 5 3 2 4 3 4
Task
The early start times appear in this table. table.
Activity A 14 B 2 C 4 D 9 E 8
Time 0 0 14 2 18
Early Start 4 0 5 6 5 0 4 6 5 0
Resources
Slack
F G H K L
2 3 5 1 13
18 11 20 26 27
3 2 4 3 4
2 6 2 0 0
Diff: 3 Section: 12.4 Resource Loading Charts Skill: Analytical AACSB Tag: Analytic Skills 9) Create a resource loading chart for the project described by this network.
Answer: ns.
Activities R and W gerrymander a bit and are indicated by shaded shaded polygo
Diff: 3 Section: 12.4 Resource Loading Charts Skill: Analytical AACSB Tag: Analytic Skills 10) Use this resource loading chart and the information in the table to fill in the rest of the table as completely as possible. All activities in the chart are shown with early start times. Activity Duration Start Early Finish Resources Slack A -B 9 A C 5 A D B E 11 D F C, E G 9 E H 8 F, G
Predecessors
Early
Answer: Regarding durations; durations; activity A lines up neatly with major tic marks. A ctivities B and D must total 15 in length and activities E, F, and G must total 30. Resource use is open to some interpretation. Activities A, B, C, and F all l ine up with major tick marks; the remainder of the activities can be guesstimate d. Activity Duration Start Early Finish Resources Slack A 15 -0 B 9 A 15 C 5 A 15 D 6 B 24 E 11 D 30 F 11 C, E 41 G 9 E 41 H 8 F, G 52
Predecessors
Early
15 24 20 30 41 52 50 60
0 0 21 0 0 0 2 0
10 5 10 12 6 5 4 2.5
Diff: 2 Section: 12.4 Resource Loading Charts Skill: Analytical AACSB Tag: Analytic Skills 11) Create a resource loading chart for the project described by this table and then adjust activities by splitting them or delaying them in order to meet the r esource constraints of 8 hours of work per day. Show your new resource loading c hart, indicating which activities have been adjusted. What is the change in proj ect completion dates? Activity G 5 F 2 D 4 R 3 W 5 M 4 K 4 Z 2
Time --G F D R M, W K
Predecessor 5 1 3 1, 2 2 2 5 3 4 1, 3 7 3 3 2, 3 6 2
Resource Ti Time/Day
Resource
Answer: The initial resource loading loading chart is below; project completion completion time is is 20 days but the combination of activities R and G and activities M and D exceed the 8-hour-per-day threshold. Activities R and M both have 5 days of slack; if activity R is delayed until day 5, it will will begin then and be completed completed on day 8. M must be delayed delayed until D is completed, which will then delay the project's completion by 4 days. Diff: 3 Section: 12.4 Resource Loading Charts Skill: Analytical AACSB Tag: Analytic Skills 12) What are the trade-offs among schedule slippage, resource utilization, and i n-process inventory for a project manager in a multi-project environment? Answer: Schedule slippage is a negative negative consequence consequence on time time performance for a p roject. Resource utilization is the degree to which available resources are depl oyed and in-process inventory represents the amount of work waiting to be comple ted but delayed due to unavailable resources. Resource utilization can be increa sed by deploying all available resources as fully as possible. Diff: 1 Section: 12.5 Managing Managing Resources Resources in Multiproject Multiproject Environments Skill: Conceptual AACSB Tag: Reflective 13) What are any three common heuristics that can be used to schedule resources in a multi-project environment? Comment on their advantages and disadvantages. Answer: The heuristics discussed in the text are first in line, greatest resour resour ce demand, greatest resource utilization, minimum late finish time, and mathemat ical programming. - The first in line heuristic allocates resources based upon which project enter s the queue first. This is the easiest heuristic to follow, but it can defy comm on sense in favor of ease of use. - The greatest resource demand decision rule determines which projects in the co mpany's portfolio will pose the greatest demand on available resources; these pr ojects are allocated resources first and then other projects are scheduled. The assumption being made is that projects that are more consumptive of resources ar
e likely sources of bottlenecks, so these activities should be accommodated firs t and the rest of the system subordinated to the bottlenecks' needs. This rule a nd the greatest resource utilization rule may result in dedicating too many reso urces to a project that simply isn't profitable or has poor margins when compare d with projects that may represent low hanging fruit. - Greatest resource utilization is a slight variation on the greatest resource d emand heuristic. Projects with high levels of resource utilization are scheduled first, resulting in good performance on the utilization performance measure. If other projects are added to the company portfolio while the first project is st ill viable, the utilization of resources may remain high when the new projects a re considered with the existing projects. - The minimum late finish time prioritizes projects with minimal slack, in effec t keeping them as close as possible to on schedule. Projects with more slack can wait a while for the resources without becoming late. The danger is that resour ce starvation of projects with seemingly abundant slack may result in every proj ect in the portfolio being delivered late. - Mathematical programming can generate optimal decisions to resource constraine d problems. While solutions are optimal, the problem set up and solution can be extraordinarily complex. Diff: 1 Section: 12.5 Managing Managing Resources Resources in Multiproject Multiproject Environments Skill: Conceptual AACSB Tag: Reflective 14) What is mathematical programming, how can it be applied to resource decision s, and what are the advantages and disadvantages of doing so? Answer: Math programming is sometimes used to generate optimal optimal solutions to res ource-constrained problems in the multi-project setting, just as it can be emplo yed for single projects. The common goals of minimizing total development time a nd lateness and maximizing resource utilization across all projects can all be a ddressed by mathematical programming. The constraints of limited resources, prec edence relationships among activities and projects, due dates, opportunities for activity splitting, concurrent and otherwise activity performance requirements, and resource substitution limit our ability to achieve the aforementioned goals . While mathematical programming can achieve an optimal solution to these proble ms, its use is limited due to the complexity of the problem, the large number of computational variables, and the time necessary to generate a sufficiently smal l set of options. Diff: 2 Section: 12.5 Managing Managing Resources Resources in Multiproject Multiproject Environments Skill: Conceptual AACSB Tag: Reflective
