Briefly explain what options the project manager had to make to bring the project back into the allowable schedule.

This is a response to my one of my peer’s discussion post. Please read original discussion post and peer’s discussion response post instructions, as well as my original discussion post and ‘s original discussion post for perspective. Additionally, please use references, other references and attachments to support response.

Peer’s Discussion Post Response Instructions:
Identify the peer’s position and identify whether the ideas would work. Why or why not?
Keith’s discussion Post:
How is WBS different from a project network? How are the two tools related? If creating a project network is quicker and it clearly displays all the elements of a project, then why do you need to create a WBS?
A Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) is a chart that can broadly break down a project into a hierarchical deliverables oriented project (Oran, C. & Bottorff, C., 2021). By establishing a WBS, work packages can be created and deployed. The subsequent work packages are then used to create activities reflected in the project network (Larson & Gray, 2021). The project network thusly is dependent on the WBS. Although it might appear that a project network could encompass everything a WBS could, it is still important to create a WBS as it is possible for a project network activity to encompass more than one work package. Larson et al (2021), explain that “…different groups (people) are used to define work packages and activities and… the WBS is poorly constructed and not deliverable/output oriented. Integration of the WBS and project network is crucial to effective project management.”

Briefly describe a business scenario for an ongoing project (this can be your project, a project you worked on, or a project you read about). Identify how slack was used by the project manager. Was this an appropriate use of the technique, or did the project manager err in this particular application? What can you learn from the scenario presented in applying slack to a business?

With little experience in official project management, I’ve been involved in the planning and approval process of an upcoming construction project. With this project the scope has been broad so far with a very high overview of the specifications requests by the public, department of education, as well as the overseeing approval board. The official usage of slack is to determine how long an activity can be delayed before it impacts another activity. This stage of calculation has not been reached yet, however a similar metric has been utilized in regard to meeting out education specifications of the state. In the Ed Spec, it has a minimum and maximum square footage per child. We have since had to explore the arithmetic of how big of a space we want/need for the required activities and compare that to the requirements imposed by the Ed Spec.

Consider that there is a failure along the project’s critical path from the scenario you described. Briefly explain what options the project manager had to make to bring the project back into the allowable schedule. Did the project manager take the appropriate actions? How much time was lost because of the failure and how much time was made up with the correct decisions? From the above example, what should be the lessons learned about managing a project?
To continue from the previous section, I could perhaps propose a hypothetical slack scenario for this particular project. There are needs of the students and communities to have certain milestones met in order to begin others. One such event would be to have the foundation for the building poured and set before they can start erecting the walls. In this instance it would be prudent for the project manager would likely opt for the forward pass. Now, in this hypothetical scenario, it was found that the foundation was not poured or set correctly and requires removal and re-pour to meet safety standards. There are not many options for the Project Manager to get the project back on schedule, with the exception of becoming intimately familiar with the ES, LS, EF, and LF factors for planning, scheduling and controlling the phases of the project to allow for tighter recovery.

Finally, consider the ethical considerations of building slack into a project. Is this an acceptable business practice? Provide support for your choice. Should a project manager explicitly disclose the use of slack when building or sharing a project schedule?
The most immediate ethical concern surrounding the building of slack into a project is in the event of a Project Manager using it to increase the cost of a project to their benefit. An example being a contractor telling their client the project will take longer, thus cost more.
With that unethical example out of the way, I think it is important that a project manager be realistic in the scheduling and recognizes that delays are a common part of life and should expect to build some delay into the project.

Original Discussion Post instructions:
In regards to a Work Breakdown Structure (WBS).
How is WBS different from a project network?
How are the two tools related?
If creating a project network is quicker and it clearly displays all the elements of a project, then why do you need to create a WBS?
Briefly describe a business scenario for an ongoing project (this can be your project, a project you worked on, or a project you read about).
Identify how slack was used by the project manager.
Was this an appropriate use of the technique, or did the project manager err in this particular application?
What can you learn from the scenario presented in applying slack to a business project?
Consider that there is a failure along the project’s critical path from the scenario you described.
Briefly explain what options the project manager had to make to bring the project back into the allowable schedule.
Did the project manager take the appropriate actions?
How much time was lost because of the failure and how much time was made up with the correct decisions?
From the above example, what should be the lessons learned about managing a project?
Finally, consider the ethical considerations of building slack into a project.
Is this an acceptable business practice? Provide support for your choice.
Should a project manager explicitly disclose the use of slack when building or sharing a project schedule?

Textbook:
Larson, E. W., & Gray, C. F. (2021). Project management: The managerial process (8th ed.). New York, NY: McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
Chapter 4: Defining the Proje
Chapter 5: Estimating Project Times and Costs
Chapter 6: Developing a Project Schedule: Sections: Developing a Project Network
Chapter 7: Appendix 7.1: PERT and PERT Simulation (Found after the blue pages and end of chapter content in Chapter 7 and before the beginning of Chapter 8)
Chapter 8: Appendix 8.1: The Critical-Chain Approach
Articles from the Excelsior College Library (ECL): Articles are attached in pdf format.
Confirming that the critical path is valid (Links to an external site.). (2015). GAO Reports, 75-89. Retrieved from http://vlib.excelsior.edu/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=bth&AN=111931569&site=eds-live&scope=site
Kenichiro, S., & Katsuhiro, N. (2014). Project management and critical path analysis: A cellular automaton model (Links to an external site.). Journal of Cellular Automata, 9(2/3), 257-270. Retrieved from http://vlib.excelsior.edu/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=a9h&AN=98321907&site=eds-live&scope=site
Şandru, M., & Olaru, M. (2013). Critical path method applied to the multi project management environment (Links to an external site.). Proceedings of The European Conference On Management, Leadership &Governance, 440-448. Retrieved from http://vlib.excelsior.edu/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=bth&AN=91955975&site=eds-live&scope=site

My Original Discussion Post:

Difference between a Project Network and Work Breakdown Structure
Work Breakdown Structure or WBS differs from a corporate project network. WBS is the main map of organizational projects that enables managers to identify necessary elements and control team members (Larson & Gray, 2021). Contrastingly, the project network uses WBS database for setting the timeline and planning based on available resources.

Relationship between the Two Tools
Project network relates with WBS, whereby their integration supports each other in project management. Team members in a WBS play crucial roles in developing project network activities. Project managers use the network to schedule and identify variables, which cannot be performed through a WBS.

The Need for a WBS
Project managers need to formulate a WBS despite project networks presenting required elements and being faster. WBS establishes a connection between networking items using the hierarchical framework (Larson & Gray, 2021). The created relationship facilitates assessment of all elements, leading to project performance.

Description of a Business Scenario
My business scenario involves a project which was launched by a relative of mine for a courier services enterprise. The objective of the project was to provide transportation within the state for veterans. The project lasted for two years and was a great success. The company targeted business persons and home-based customers.

How Project Managers Use Slack
The project manager used slack to research the next phase. The project manager collected data concerning materials essential for establishing the business. Realism probabilities of completion were also detected during slack time.

Whether the Use Was Appropriate
The technique was used appropriately as it led to a successful transition into project stages. Slack provides an opportunity for utilizing unexploited resources and planning for the following process (Shimura & Nishinari, 2014). There was no error because the manager gathered information on how project materials could be used.

What can be learned
The scenario helps in learning that finishing a project phase earlier than the set timeline greatly enhances you ability to forecasted the business. Team members can discuss the continuity of a project and develop better strategies. As I noted, positive slack helps in assessing network schedules and elements.

Options available to the Project Manager
The project experienced a failure in its critical path, which led to a necessity for the manager to create options. The primary option was a forward pass to enable the manager to get back into the initial timeline. A forward pass is made by adding excess stage duration to an activity’s start time (Şandru & Olaru, 2013). Negative lags had to be eliminated within the project process.

Whether the Project Manager took Appropriate Actions
The manager took appropriate actions to ensure that all activities were executed within the allowed schedule. The critical path was examined to ascertain whether or not the tasks would fail. Management of the project shifted towards focusing on critical necessities.

Time Lost
The total amount of time lost due to the error in the project’s path was four weeks. The failure required the project manager to generate an alternative timeline of four weeks.

Lessons learned about Project Management
The example creates significant lessons concerning project management, whereby the scheduling process should consider possible failures. Critical paths are subject to early completions, delays, and out-of-network occurrences (GAO, 2015). Project managers have to understand and portray skillful scheduling techniques.

Ethical Slack Considerations
From personal perspective, slack building is deemed appropriate for a project when necessary. Organizations support ethical activities that create a win and reliability of the means used (Larson & Gray, 2021). Slack time has positive impacts, including dependability and evaluation of the project. Building slack is then acceptable if it benefits the project. (Daniels, 2021). states, when there is a situation where a task demands time more than the estimated time, then the project manager creates slack time to keep the project on time. On the other hand, if project manager are using slack to prolong projects in order to increase fees and other monetary gains, I think at the that point it becomes unethical and does not benefit the overall project.

Whether a Project Manager Should Disclose Slack Usage
Project managers should not disclose the presence of slack time when providing schedules and timelines. Informing team members about slack may lead to unsatisfactory results, because employees can be challenged in keeping track of all activities. Workers may, as a result focus on slack rather than the project, which is detrimental.

References
GAO. (2015). Confirming that the critical path is valid. GAO Reports, 75-89.
Larson, E. W., & Gray, C. F. (2021). Project management: The managerial process (8th ed.). New York, NY: McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
Richard Daniels (2021). How to Calculate Slack Time? Slack Time Formula Explained with
Example. https://www.businessstudynotes.com/finance/project-management/slack-time-formula- (Links to an external site.)calculation/
Şandru, M., & Olaru, M. (2013). Critical path method applied to the multi project management environment. Proceedings of the European Conference on Management, Leadership &Governance, 440-448.
Shimura, K., & Nishinari, K. (2014). Project Management and Critical Path Analysis: A Cellular Automaton Model. Journal of Cellular Automata, 9.

Thanks!

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