OCR D2 2006 January — Question 5 19 marks

Exam BoardOCR
ModuleD2 (Decision Mathematics 2)
Year2006
SessionJanuary
Marks19
PaperDownload PDF ↗
Mark schemeDownload PDF ↗
TopicCritical Path Analysis
TypeExplain dummy activities
DifficultyModerate -0.3 This is a standard Decision Maths 2 critical path analysis question covering routine techniques (dummy activities, forward/backward pass, critical path, resource histograms). While multi-part with several marks, each component follows textbook procedures without requiring novel insight or complex problem-solving, making it slightly easier than average A-level difficulty.
Spec7.05b Forward and backward pass: earliest/latest times, critical activities7.05c Total float: calculation and interpretation7.05d Latest start and earliest finish: independent and interfering float

5 Answer this question on the insert provided. The diagram shows an activity network for a project. The table lists the durations of the activities (in days). \includegraphics[max width=\textwidth, alt={}, center]{9c9b1a42-8d16-446a-85a1-4c08e5e368be-4_652_867_429_393}
ActivityDuration
\(A\)5
\(B\)3
\(C\)4
\(D\)2
\(E\)1
\(F\)3
\(G\)5
\(H\)2
\(I\)4
\(J\)3
  1. Explain why each of the dummy activities is needed.
  2. Complete the blank column of the table in the insert to show the immediate predecessors for each activity.
  3. Carry out a forward pass to find the early start times for the events. Record these at the eight vertices on the copy of the network on the insert. Also calculate the late start times for the events and record these at the vertices. Find the minimum completion time for the project and list the critical activities.
  4. By how much would the duration of activity \(C\) need to increase for \(C\) to become a critical activity? Assume that each activity requires one worker and that each worker is able to do any of the activities. The activities may not be split. The duration of \(C\) is 4 days.
  5. Draw a resource histogram, assuming that each activity starts at its earliest possible time. How many workers are needed with this schedule?
  6. Describe how, by delaying the start of activity \(E\) (and other activities, to be determined), the project can be completed in the minimum time by just three workers.

(i)
AnswerMarks Guidance
The dummy activity after \(C\) is needed because \(G\) follows \(C\) only but \(F\) follows both \(B\) and \(C\). The dummy activity after \(H\) is needed because both \(H\) and \(I\) directly join the same pair of vertices (events).B1 For explaining the relationships between \(B,C,F,G\)
B1For identifying \(H\) and \(I\)
(ii)
AnswerMarks Guidance
ActivityDuration Immediate predecessors
A5
B3
C4
D2 A
E1 A
F3 B,C
G5 C
H2 D
I4 D
J3 E,F
B1For \(A,B,C\) having no predecessors
B1For \(D,E,F,G\) correct
B1For \(H,I,J\) correct
(iii)
Forward pass showing early event times, all correct with critical activities \(A, D, I\) identified.
AnswerMarks
M1For carrying out forward pass
A1For all early event times correct
Backwards pass showing late event times, all correct.
AnswerMarks
M1For carrying out backwards pass
A1For all late event times correct
Minimum completion time \(= 11\) days; Critical activities: \(A, D, I\)
AnswerMarks
B1For 11 with units
B1For \(A, D, I\) only
(iv)
AnswerMarks Guidance
1 dayB1 For 1 (not 'more than 1')
(v)
AnswerMarks Guidance
B1For the first four days correct
M1For a resource histogram with no 'hanging' cells
A1For days five onwards correct
Number of workers required \(= 4\)A1 For 4 or follow through their histogram if possible
(vi)
AnswerMarks Guidance
Delay activity \(E\) by 2 days, so the start changes from 5 to 7 (it happens on day 8). This causes activities \(H\) and \(J\) to shift. \(J\) shifts by 1 day and \(H\) by 2 days.B1 For stating how much to move \(E\)
M1For saying that \(H\) and \(J\)(only) will need to shift
A1For describing how much \(H\) and \(J\) move
**(i)**
The dummy activity after $C$ is needed because $G$ follows $C$ only but $F$ follows both $B$ and $C$. The dummy activity after $H$ is needed because both $H$ and $I$ directly join the same pair of vertices (events). | B1 | For explaining the relationships between $B,C,F,G$
 | B1 | For identifying $H$ and $I$

**(ii)**

| Activity | Duration | Immediate predecessors |
|----------|----------|------------------------|
| A | 5 | — |
| B | 3 | — |
| C | 4 | — |
| D | 2 | A |
| E | 1 | A |
| F | 3 | B,C |
| G | 5 | C |
| H | 2 | D |
| I | 4 | D |
| J | 3 | E,F |

| B1 | For $A,B,C$ having no predecessors
| B1 | For $D,E,F,G$ correct
| B1 | For $H,I,J$ correct

**(iii)**

Forward pass showing early event times, all correct with critical activities $A, D, I$ identified.

| M1 | For carrying out forward pass
| A1 | For all early event times correct

Backwards pass showing late event times, all correct.

| M1 | For carrying out backwards pass
| A1 | For all late event times correct

Minimum completion time $= 11$ days; Critical activities: $A, D, I$

| B1 | For 11 with units
| B1 | For $A, D, I$ only

**(iv)**
1 day | B1 | For 1 (not 'more than 1')

**(v)**
| B1 | For the first four days correct

| M1 | For a resource histogram with no 'hanging' cells
| A1 | For days five onwards correct

Number of workers required $= 4$ | A1 | For 4 or follow through their histogram if possible

**(vi)**
Delay activity $E$ by 2 days, so the start changes from 5 to 7 (it happens on day 8). This causes activities $H$ and $J$ to shift. $J$ shifts by 1 day and $H$ by 2 days. | B1 | For stating how much to move $E$
 | M1 | For saying that $H$ and $J$(only) will need to shift
 | A1 | For describing how much $H$ and $J$ move

---
5 Answer this question on the insert provided.
The diagram shows an activity network for a project. The table lists the durations of the activities (in days).\\
\includegraphics[max width=\textwidth, alt={}, center]{9c9b1a42-8d16-446a-85a1-4c08e5e368be-4_652_867_429_393}

\begin{center}
\begin{tabular}{ | c | c | }
\hline
Activity & Duration \\
\hline
$A$ & 5 \\
\hline
$B$ & 3 \\
\hline
$C$ & 4 \\
\hline
$D$ & 2 \\
\hline
$E$ & 1 \\
\hline
$F$ & 3 \\
\hline
$G$ & 5 \\
\hline
$H$ & 2 \\
\hline
$I$ & 4 \\
\hline
$J$ & 3 \\
\hline
\end{tabular}
\end{center}

(i) Explain why each of the dummy activities is needed.\\
(ii) Complete the blank column of the table in the insert to show the immediate predecessors for each activity.\\
(iii) Carry out a forward pass to find the early start times for the events. Record these at the eight vertices on the copy of the network on the insert. Also calculate the late start times for the events and record these at the vertices. Find the minimum completion time for the project and list the critical activities.\\
(iv) By how much would the duration of activity $C$ need to increase for $C$ to become a critical activity?

Assume that each activity requires one worker and that each worker is able to do any of the activities. The activities may not be split. The duration of $C$ is 4 days.\\
(v) Draw a resource histogram, assuming that each activity starts at its earliest possible time. How many workers are needed with this schedule?\\
(vi) Describe how, by delaying the start of activity $E$ (and other activities, to be determined), the project can be completed in the minimum time by just three workers.

\hfill \mbox{\textit{OCR D2 2006 Q5 [19]}}