Question

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):(1) First, confirm arrangements for the training facility you plan to use (3 days)(2) 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)(3) 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)(4) When the Power Point slides are ready, you conducta practice training session with the instructor who will assist you (2 days)(5) Finally, when the practice session is over and the handout material is ready, you can conduct the user training sessions (4 days) What is the correct total time?

Answer 1

Answer:

The correct total time is nineteen (19) days instead of twenty-one days.

Explanation:

Given the analysis of time for the project in parenthesis, it is feasible to merge some of the activities together by carrying them out simultaneously.

For example:

In the course of arranging and confirming the training facility to use which will last for 3 days, the development of the training material that ought to last for 5 days is brought down to a 2 days work because the initial 3 days for arrangement becomes vacant pending the reply on the final day. This brings the total days from 8 to 5.

Other days remain thus:

• Send an e-mail message to all department managers (1 day)  

• Print copies of handout (2 days)

• Develop a set of PowerPoint slides (5 days)

• Conduct a practice training session with the instructor (2 days)

• Conduct the user training sessions (4 days).

Hence, total days are as follow:

5 +1 + 2 + 5 + 2 + 4 = 19 days.