Background:

Project management techniques, such as PERT and CPM$,$are widely used in large$-$scale projects like NASA or ERP systems. However, your company operates in the fast$-$moving consumer goods sector and is struggling with inefficiencies in day$-$to$-$day management due to market volatility. You have been tasked with improving the operational process to optimize time, cost, and quality while addressing challenges such as fluctuating demand, production scheduling, and workforce management.

Tasks:

A$.$Explain why project management techniques such as PERT, CPM$,$Work Breakdown Structure, and time$-$cost trade$-$off analysis should be used to manage operations in a business with fluctuating demand.

B$.$Using the project management triangle$($time$,$cost$,$and quality$),$explain how these techniques can help balance competing objectives in a competitive environment. Provide an example of how you would apply "activity crashing" to reduce production time without significantly increasing costs or compromising quality.