CASE STUDY ASSIGNMENT:READ AND ANSWER THE QUESTIONS BELOW

Joe Huffman, project manager at Gadget Toy Company, had just submitted a proposal for funding to the new product review committee. He recommended that Gadget introduce, through its retail distribution network, a new children's toy based on a popular cartoon character. Joe felt that if he could get the product out by Christmas, Gadget could take advantage of what he felt would be a strong market demand. However, due to the volatility of the market for these types of games, Joe could not be certain that the product would have the same level of acceptance the following year. It was now May 6, 2020, and Joe knew he would have to manage the timing of the project carefully to meet the delivery date of September 15^th, just 19 weeks away.

Gadget's head office was in Kitchener, Ontario, where it also operated a manufacturing plant and distribution centre. Whenever possible, Gadget preferred to manufacture its products in-house.

Joe expected feedback from the committee by the end of the week, at which time he would being coordinating the launch of the project. Since Joe was an experienced project manager, he established a preliminary list of activities, as shown in Exhibit 1.

Based on his schedule, Joe felt he could start work on some activities immediately, such as finalizing the product design and placing an order for equipment. However, many of the activities had to be performed sequentially. For example, he could not train the workers until the equipment was installed and the tools for the machine were completed. Similarly, he could not order the raw material until the engineering work was complete and the advertising plan was completed, since the advertising plan would influence colour selection.

Concerned about the delivery schedule, Joe investigated opportunities to cut the project time. After talking with the marketing manager, Peggy Pilon, Joe learned that he could reduce product advertising. Peggy anticipated a five per cent reduction in sales for each week of lost advertising. Furthermore, she indicated that Joe could not get away with less than 6 weeks of advertising for a new product of this nature.

Joe also spoke with Steve Jeffrey, the production manager at the tool shop. Steve offered to speed up the tool build by working weekends for a cost of $5000. Steve thought he could improve their delivery time by two weeks if Joe authorized the extra cost.

ACTIVITY STEPS

1. Read the Case Study Gadget Toys.
2. Pick 4 activities from the Activities Table and further elaborate on what task the activity involves. Explain its significance within the entire project.
3. Create an activities table showing precedence relationships and time elements.
4. Create a Gantt Chart
5. Create a Network diagram using activity on Node.
6. Show the critical path on Network diagram
7. Confirm how many weeks it will take to complete the project. Assume there are 4 weeks per month.
8. Comment on the duration of the plan
9. How can the project timeframe be adjusted to meet the deadline? Please Explain.
10. What options are available to Joe? Please list your alternatives with pros and cons. Justify and explain the reasons for the changes you made. Consider the project constraints of time, cost and quality. List at least 3 alternatives.
11. What are the cost implications of adjusting the activities? Please show your work
12. Create a new activity chart with the adjusted timelines.
13. Create a newactivities table showing precedence relationships and time elements.
14. Create a new Gantt Chart
15. Confirm how many weeks it will take to complete the project with your adjustments. Assume there are 4 weeks per month.
16. Create a new Network diagram using Activity on Nodes
17. Confirm how many weeks it will take to complete the project with your adjustments. Assume there are 4 weeks per month.
18. What is your recommendation.
19. What is your Action and Implementation plan?
20. Prepare a powerpoint on this activity