AQA D2 2009 January — Question 2 14 marks

Exam BoardAQA
ModuleD2 (Decision Mathematics 2)
Year2009
SessionJanuary
Marks14
PaperDownload PDF ↗
Mark schemeDownload PDF ↗
TopicCritical Path Analysis
TypeDraw resource histogram
DifficultyModerate -0.3 This is a standard Critical Path Analysis question with routine resource histogram construction. Parts (a)-(b) involve mechanical application of forward/backward pass algorithms. Part (c)(i) requires drawing a histogram from earliest start times—straightforward once the network is analyzed. Part (c)(ii) involves basic resource levelling with clear constraints. While multi-part with several marks, each component uses standard D2 techniques without requiring novel insight or complex problem-solving.
Spec7.05a Critical path analysis: activity on arc networks7.05b Forward and backward pass: earliest/latest times, critical activities7.05c Total float: calculation and interpretation7.05d Latest start and earliest finish: independent and interfering float7.05e Cascade charts: scheduling and effect of delays

2 [Figures 1 and 2, printed on the insert, are provided for use in this question.]
Figure 1 shows the activity network and the duration in days of each activity for a particular project.
  1. On Figure 1:
    1. find the earliest start time for each activity;
    2. find the latest finish time for each activity.
  2. Find the critical paths and state the minimum time for completion.
  3. The number of workers required for each activity is shown in the table.
    Activity\(A\)\(B\)\(C\)\(D\)\(E\)\(F\)\(G\)\(H\)\(I\)\(J\)
    Number of
    workers required
    3342341225
    1. Given that each activity starts as early as possible and assuming that there is no limit to the number of workers available, draw a resource histogram for the project on Figure 2, indicating clearly which activities take place at any given time.
    2. It is later discovered that there are only 6 workers available at any time. Explain why the project will overrun, and use resource levelling to indicate which activities need to be delayed so that the project can be completed with the minimum extra time. State the minimum extra time required.

2 [Figures 1 and 2, printed on the insert, are provided for use in this question.]\\
Figure 1 shows the activity network and the duration in days of each activity for a particular project.
\begin{enumerate}[label=(\alph*)]
\item On Figure 1:
\begin{enumerate}[label=(\roman*)]
\item find the earliest start time for each activity;
\item find the latest finish time for each activity.
\end{enumerate}\item Find the critical paths and state the minimum time for completion.
\item The number of workers required for each activity is shown in the table.

\begin{center}
\begin{tabular}{ | l | c | c | c | c | c | c | c | c | c | c | }
\hline
Activity & $A$ & $B$ & $C$ & $D$ & $E$ & $F$ & $G$ & $H$ & $I$ & $J$ \\
\hline
\begin{tabular}{ l }
Number of \\
workers required \\
\end{tabular} & 3 & 3 & 4 & 2 & 3 & 4 & 1 & 2 & 2 & 5 \\
\hline
\end{tabular}
\end{center}
\begin{enumerate}[label=(\roman*)]
\item Given that each activity starts as early as possible and assuming that there is no limit to the number of workers available, draw a resource histogram for the project on Figure 2, indicating clearly which activities take place at any given time.
\item It is later discovered that there are only 6 workers available at any time. Explain why the project will overrun, and use resource levelling to indicate which activities need to be delayed so that the project can be completed with the minimum extra time. State the minimum extra time required.
\end{enumerate}\end{enumerate}

\hfill \mbox{\textit{AQA D2 2009 Q2 [14]}}