Question 1 (c)
Sources for the Activity List:
1. The Assignment Brief: “Project Mandate Executive Summary“; The New
Library Building Construction Project (2023): Page 4 - 5
2. Ishola Bolanle Clifford, “Library Building: My Experience” (2020). Library
Philosophy and Practice (e-journal). 4515
https://www.digilcommons.unl.edu/libphilprac/4515
3. Library and Information Science Education Network, “Planning the Modern
Library” (2023)
https://www.lisedunetwork.com/planning-modern-library-building
4. New Jersey State Library , Planning a New Library Building (2023)
https://www.njstatelib.org/services_for_libraries/new-jersey-libraryconstruction-bond-act/planning-new-library-building
Question 1 (b)
Work Breakdown Structure
According to StudySmarter 2023, a Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) is a
hierarchical and incremental decomposition of a project into phases,
deliverables, and work packages. It’s a visual representation that helps to
identify all the task and subtasks necessary for the completion of a project. For
complex project like New University Library building construction project, the
WBS can be deliverable oriented hierarchical presentation of work to be
executed by the team to accomplish the project objectives (Tehrani J. 2023).
To create the WBS for the project, I have to identify the main project objectives
and divide it into manageable tasks. These tasks are further broken down into
deliverables that can be assigned and can be effectively managed by all the
project team members.
The top-level (Level 0) deliverable for the WBS is the finished functional New
University Library Building. The level 1 of the WBS comprises of the
Architectural design, financial plans and Procurement plans. The level subtasks includes detailed architectural design and specifications, construction
document, construction cost etc.
Level 2 comprises of the main construction work, procurement of the furniture,
computers and communication equipment to be delivered and install after the
completion of interior and exterior works.
Level 3 comprises of the Installation and Testing of library furniture and
equipment, computer and communication equipment, Electrical, Mechanical,
HVAC works and installation.
In conclusion, the WBS helps the project team members to have a clear picture
and understanding of the whole project and what is needed to achieve it. It
helps with the scheduling and hence improve the project timeline.
References:
Work Breakdown Structure: Meaning, Example, Advantages
https://www.studysmarter.co.uk/explanation/engineering/professionalengineering/work-breakdownstructure
Tehrani Jasmine, “Project Management Practice: Project schedule and
resource Optimisation” (2023)
Question 1(a)
Critical Path Analysis
The Critical Path Analysis is one of the major Project Management tools. It is a
simple technique for analysis, planning and scheduling of complex projects. It
helps to determine and identify which tasks and activities are critical to affect
the overall project timeline.
From the project activity list, a network diagram was generated. This network
diagram depicts visually and clearly the complexity and interrelationship
between the project activities.
Each activity necessary for the project completion is listed and identify with
letter symbol and duration of the activity. These activities are then drawn in a
box with their sequence relationships indicated by forward arrow path
movement connecting each activities box.
From the network diagram, the arrow paths from activity A (Start) and the
activity Z (Finish) is indicative of the project timeline from start to finish.
However, there are several path in the network diagram, which indicates
different project pathways. The time required to transverse each pathway is the
sum of all the durations associated with all the activities present in that
pathway.
The critical path is the longest path in terms of total sum of the duration from
Start to Finish.
This indicated the minimum time necessary to complete the time entire project
without exceeding the project three years (156 weeks) duration.
In conclusion, the Critical Path for the New University Library Building Project
is A-B-C-D-H-I-J-K-L-M-N-O-P-Q-T-U-V-W-X- Y-Z.
Hence, the sun of all the duration along the critical path
= (4+8+8+4+1+2+1+4+8+12+32+4+12+16+8+16+8+4+1+0+0) weeks
= 153 Weeks
Reference:
Levy F.K, Thompson G. L and Wiest J. D (1963) Harvard Business Review:
The ABCs of the critical path Method (1963).