Project Management for Business and Technology Group Assignment Case study Help
MGMT 483
Project Management for Business and TechnologySpring 2018
Group Assignment 2(Case studies)
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Case 1 (20 marks)
Please read the following case ‘Alpha Beta Gamma Record’ and answer the questions given below.
Alpha Beta Gamma Record
Evan Anderson is the managing editor of the monthly magazine for the collegiate members of Alpha Beta
Gamma National Fraternity. The Alpha Beta Gamma Record is a 16-page, two-color magazine with a
circulation of 2,400.
There are two large phases of publishing the magazine. The first phase encompasses those tasks which
the editor, Evan, performs himself. Evan is responsible for all facets of the magazine’s production, from
conception to preparation for the printer. His tasks and each task’s predecessor(s) are shown in the
following table, along with data from the magazine’s files indicating the maximum, most likely, and
minimum times for each task.
Time (days)
Activity Predecessor Description Max Most Likely Min
A – Greek happenings and correspondence 3 2 1
B – Conceptualizing the current issue 5 1.5 1
C A Applying happenings to current issue 1.5 1 0.5
D C, B Research or resource review 2.5 0.75 0.5
E C, B Interview with national officer 2 2 2
F C, B Photograph subjects 1 1 1
G E Photograph interviewee 2 2 2
H F, G Developing photographs 1.25 1 0.75
I H Printing photographs 6 2.5 2
J E Interview notes converted into copy (text) 5 3 1
K D Research notes converted into copy 2 2 2
L K, J Copy rewrite, corrections, and accurate typing 3 2 1
M L Copy submitted for review 2 2 2
N M Correction of reviewed copy 1 1 1
O N Copy folder compiled 0.5 0.5 0.5
P I Photo folder compiled 0.5 0.5 0.5
Q O, P Thumbnail layout sketch 1.5 1 0.5
R Q Submission of photos for galleys* 0 0 0
S O, P Manuscript to printer 1 1 1
*Galleys are typeset columns of submitted manuscript copy that is camera ready.
The second phase includes those activities that the printer performs. The editor, of course, checks the
printer’s work for accuracy, but the primary responsibility for the completion of these tasks falls on the
printer.
For the past few months, Evan has been faced with delays in completing the final product. Despite his
efforts to produce a quality magazine at peak efficiencies, the delays recurred. These repeated delays
naturally cause delays in mailing the subscriptions. Since the Alpha Beta Gamma Record is the only source
of information on upcoming regional events for collegiate members, it is important that the publication
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be released on time so that the members have ample time to register for these functions. Most of these
regional activities are not parties. Although they are designed to be enjoyable, the national organization
has long emphasized the development of individual qualities, such as leadership, over partying. Since
many Alpha Beta Gamma alumni attend these functions, the collegians like to attend in order to make
contacts with people with whom they might seek employment in a few years. Therefore, it is crucial that
the issues be completed on time.
Since he cannot control the operations of his present printer, Thrift Print, Evan decided to investigate the
possibility of changing printers in order to meet his deadlines for the magazine. He found another printer,
Kwik Print, for a comparable price. The description of the second phase’s activities, each activity’s
predecessors, and the most likely times for their completions for the respective printers is found in the
following table. Experience with Thrift Print and talks with Kwik Print have led Evan to believe that these
times will have little variation around these values.
Activity Predecessor Description Thrift Print Kwik Print
T S Galleys typeset 3 5
U T Galleys to editor and corrected 2 1
V U Galleys returned to printer 2 1
W R, V Pasteup 3 3
X W Pages to editor for correction* 1 0.5
Y X Pages to printer 1 1
Z Y Blueline sent to editor** 4 1
AA Z Blueline returned to printer 1 1
BB AA Customer copies 4 3
*Pages are photocopies of the galleys pasted up into magazine format. They do not include photographs.
**Blueline is a one-color final product that includes photographs ready for final review. This is the last
opportunity to make corrections before the final printing.
Questions:
1. Draw a PERT diagram of the production of the magazine from conception to completion. (6 points)
2. Production begins 35 days before the magazine’s mailing deadline. What is the probability that the
issues will be sent out on time if no change in printers is made? (6 points)
3. What is the probability that the issues will be sent out on time if Kwik Print replaces Thrift Print? (6
points)
4. Evan has just learned that the owner of Thrift Print is an alumnus of Alpha Beta Gamma. What should
he do in light of this fact? (2 points)
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Case 2 (15 marks)
Please read the case “Family Planning Research Center of Nigeria” and answer the questions given below.
6
point
s(6
point
s)
(5 points each)
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Case 3 (15 marks)
Please read the case ‘Index Products’ and answer the questions given below.
Index Products
John Gilbert is the Project Manager of an R&D project to develop a new product targeting to a specific
market. The project is planned for a 12-month duration with $250,000 budget. After 6 months of the
project he wants to analyze the performance of the project and collected following data:
Table 1: Data collected after 6 months of the project
Activity Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Plan % C Value
Staffing 8 7 15 100
Blueprinting 4 6 10 100
Prototype Development 2 8 10 70
Full Design 3 8 10 21 67
Construction 2 30 32 25
Transfer 10 10 0
Monthly Plan
Cumulative
Monthly Actual 10 15 6 14 9 40
Cumulative Actual
1. Using the above data, calculate the planned and actual monthly budgets through the end of June.
(7 marks)
2. Using the above data, calculate the following values: (8 marks)
Schedule Variances
Planned Value of Work Scheduled (PV)
Earned Value (EV)
Schedule Performance Index (SPI)
Estimated Time to Completion
Cost Variances
Actual Cost of Work Performed (AC)
Earned Value (EV)
Cost Performance Index (CPI)
Estimated Cost to Completion
