Part A$)$

You serve as the assistant project manager to Reza Kia, who leads the Muscat light project. Muscat light is the codename assigned to the creation of a handheld electronic medical reference guide intended for emergency medical technicians and paramedics requiring quick reference materials in emergency situations.

Reza and his project team are crafting a project plan with the goal of producing $30$ operational models in time for MedOmn, the largest annual medical equipment trade show. Meeting the critical October $25$ deadline for MedOmn is imperative, as this event serves as a platform for major medical equipment manufacturers to showcase and take orders for new products. Reza is aware of rumors suggesting that competitors may be considering similar products, recognizing that being the first to market would confer a significant sales advantage. Additionally, securing funding from top management is contingent upon devising a viable plan to meet the MedOmn deadline.

The project team spent the morning drafting the schedule for Muscat light, starting with the Work Breakdown Structure $($WBS$)$ and expanding it into a network by incorporating activities as necessary. They then incorporated time estimates for each activity. Below is the preliminary information detailing the duration of activities and their predecessors.

Activity Description Duration Predecessor

$1$ Architectural decisions $10$ None

$2$ Internal specifications $201$

$3$ External specifications $181$

$4$ Feature specifications $151$

$5$ Voice recognition $152,3$

$6$ Case $42,3$

$7$ Screen $22,3$

$8$ Speaker output jacks $22,3$

$9$ Tape mechanism $22,3$

$10$ Database $404$

$11$ Microphone$/$soundcard $54$

$12$ Pager $44$

$13$ Barcode reader $34$

$14$ Alarm clock $44$

$15$ Computer I$/$O $54$

$16$ Review design $105,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13,14,15$

$17$ Price components $55,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13,14,15$

$18$ Integration $1516,17$

$19$ Document design $3516$

$20$ Procure prototype components $2018$

$21$ Assemble prototypes $1020$

$22$ Lab test prototypes $2021$

$23$ Field test prototypes $2019,22$

$24$ Adjust design $2023$

$25$ Order stock parts $1524$

$26$ Order custom parts $224$

$27$ Assemble first production unit $1025,$ FS$8$ time units

$26,$ FS$13$ time units

$28$ Test unit $1027$

$29$ Produce $30$ units $1528$

$30$ Train sales representatives $1029$

Use Microsoft Project program available in SQU labs to develop the schedule for activities$$noting late and early times, the critical path, and estimated completion for the project.

Prepare a short memo that addresses the following questions:

$1.$ Will the project as planned meet the October $25$ deadline?

$2.$ What activities lie on the critical path?

$3.$ How sensitive is this network?