Part $1$: Consider Table $6-2,$ Network Diagram Data for a small project. All duration estimates or estimated times are in days, and the network proceeds from Node $1$ to Node $9.$ DO NOT MAKE UP YOUR OWN PROJECT. USE THE DATA FROM TABLE $6-2.$

Draw an AOA network diagram representing the project. Put the node numbers in circles and draw arrows from node to node, labeling each with the activity letter and estimated time.

Identify all of the paths on the network diagram and note how long they are, using Figure $6-8$ as a guide for how to represent each path.

What is the critical path for this project and how long is it$?$

What is the shortest possible time it will take to complete this project?

Part $2$: You have been asked to determine a rough schedule for a nine month billing system conversion project, as part of your job as a consultant to a Fortune $500$ firm. The firm's old system was written in COBOL on a mainframe computer, and the maintenance costs are prohibitive. The new system will run on an off$-$the$-$shelf application. You have identified several high$-$level activities that must be done in order to initiate, plan, execute, control, and close the project. The table below shows your analysis of the project's tasks and schedule so far.

Tasks to be completed in project planning.

Using the information on the table draw horizontal bars to illustrate when you think each task would logically start and end. Then use MS Project $($if you have it $-$ if not you may use Excel or PowerPoint$)$ to create a Gantt chart based on this information. Use Figure $6-6$ as a guide.

Part $3$: Review two different articles about critical chain scheduling. Write a two page paper describing how this technique can help improve project schedule management.