Miracle Marketing has received a contract from a large pharmaceutical firm to design a nationwide advertising campaign for their recently approved cancer drug. The drug is easily taken, compared with current intravenous drugs, and can be administered from home. Miracle Marketing has assigned to the task a project manager who, in turn, has delegated minor subprojects to subordinate managers.

The project was evaluated using AOA analysis. Due to the extensive length of the project, many activities were combined: The following is the result.

Activity* Time (months)

AB: Obtain patient lists .......3

BC: Select interviewees .......6

BD: Engage interviewers ........2

BF: Train interviewers .........5

BE: Interview patients .........4

CD: Collate results .........9

DG: Summarize data ..........20

FG: Analyze results ...........6

EH: Identify main advantages .....11

Activity* Time (months)

EI: Select advantages for ads .......19

GJ: Determine media mix .........1

HK: Compare to ad budget .......3

IL: Revise mix for budget .........9

LM: Select ad style ...........12

KN: Choose ad type ...........7

JO: Design ad campaign ........4

MN: Check with sponsor ........15

NP: Revise ad campaign .........13

OP: Present for approval .........10

Find the critical path and expected completion date.