Engineering and Mathematics Project

FACULTY:                     Arts, Computing, Engineering and Sciences

DEPARTMENT:            Engineering and Mathematics MODULE TITLE:                             Project and Quality Management MODULE LEADER:     Dong Zhang

TIME ALLOWED:          2 hours (plus 10 minutes reading time) 

FACULTY:                     Arts, Computing, Engineering and Sciences

DEPARTMENT:            Engineering and Mathematics MODULE TITLE:         Project and Quality                                                                           Management

MODULE LEADER:    Dong Zhang

TIME ALLOWED:        2 hours (plus 10 minutes reading time)

EXAMINATION CONDUCT:

 

1.            The Examination Conduct Policy outlines the behavioural expectations of candidates attending any examination.

 

2.            It is a fundamental principle that students are assessed fairly and equitably. The University Academic Conduct Regulation defines unfair behaviour relating to an examination to be 'cheating'. The University will investigate and may sanction any acts or behaviours which breach the Code of Academic Conduct.

 

INSTRUCTIONS TO CANDIDATES:

 

1.            Please do NOT start writing until told to do so by the invigilator.

 

2.            Candidates must NOT use red ink on the script answer book.

 

3.            Candidates will bring their own advanced calculator or standard calculator. Calculators must display either an approved advanced calculator sticker (blue) or an approved standard calculator sticker (red).

 

4.            Answer question 1 in Section A and two questions from Section B (THREE in total). No mark will be awarded for attempting further questions.

 

5.            This is a CLOSED BOOK exam. NO material may be taken into the exam.

 

6.            This examination paper MAY be taken from the venue by the candidates.

 

7.            For question 1 show the full working process for all calculations..

 

8.            Please write your STUDENT ID/DESK NO here:                      /                

(Use when candidates are required to write their answers on the examination paper - otherwise please delete)

 

 

 

 

 

THIS PAPER CONTAINS 5 PAGES INCLUDING THIS SHEET                 Page 1 of 5

STATIONERY REQUIREMENTS PER CANDIDATE:

 

·         1 x 16 Page Answer Booklet(s)

 

Section A

 

1.        Consider a project with the information in Table 1.

 

Table 1

The total direct normal cost is £20000. For each activity there is also an organisational overhead of £250.

 

a).                      Construct the project network diagram using Activity-on- Node methodology, showing ESTs, LSTs, and total floats for each of the activity under normal time. Identify the project duration and the critical path under normal time.

(9 marks)

 

b).                     Develop a full crashing schedule table for the project. Clearly show the action, step cost, and the critical path after each crash.

(11 marks)

 

c).                      A performance review 10 days after the project started finds that activities A, B, C, and D have been completed; activities E and F are about to start. Without crashing the project, calculate the probability that the project will be completed within the normal project duration.

 

*See next page for the z-table.

(9 marks)

 

d).                     At the same performance review it is determined that 70% of the overall project work has been completed with a direct cost of £15000. Calculate the Cost Performance Index using the percentage rule.

(6 marks)

 

e).                      It is estimated that all activities in the project will benefit from a learning rate of 0.957405. Using the normal time in Table 1 as the starting point, calculate at which repetition the normal time of the project will be reduced by 1 day.

(5 marks)

 

 

 

Total

(40 marks)

Section B

 

1.           In selecting projects one key element is to identify the benefits from project work. However it is not always easy to demonstrate intangible benefits. Discuss what can be done to deal with this quantification problem.

 

(30 marks)

 

2.           The critical chain approach to time planning suggests a different way to managing safety margins (buffers). Discuss the impact of this approach to project time planning.

 

(30 marks)

 

3.           Discuss whether it is necessary for all projects to have control systems.

 

(30 marks)

 

4.           Discuss the likely benefits that will be realised from reviews at different stages of a project.

 

(30 marks)

 

 

END