Question $2(30$ marks, individually assessed$)$

Ensure you have read the introduction to this assignment and take note of the intermediate deadlines for Questions $2$ and $3$ in the timeline of tasks.

For the purposes of this TMA we are assuming that the planning and requirements specification for the web application have already been completed. Assume that the analysis of the activities necessary to implement the design, implement, test and integrate the $3$ software components have also been undertaken and the required staffing, type of developer and duration for each activity has been estimated.

Figure $2$ shows the resulting incomplete activity$-$on$-$node network for the development of the web application, similar to the one in Block $3$ Part $3$ Section $2.$

Described image

Figure $2$ Incomplete activity$-$on$-$node network for the web application

Incomplete activity$-$on$-$node network for the web application

a$.$Draw a completely analysed activity$-$on$-$node network for the web application assuming that the project is to be completed in the shortest possible time. Each node on your activity$-$on$-$node network should be labelled as in Figure $2$ with the activity name and associated letter of the alphabet. Your analysis should show the results of the forward and backward passes and the activity floats in the same form as the one in the discussion for Block $3$ Part $3$ Activity $3\mathrm{.}5.$

Use the conventions and notation given in Block $3$ Part $3,$ and make sure your network starts with the node $$Start$$ and finishes with the node $$Finish$.$ Your diagram should include a key showing the meaning of the compartments in a node and identify the critical path for the project.

Section $4\mathrm{.}5$ of the TM$254$ Module Guide has some guidance on drawing diagrams, including:

$$We recommend that you use the drawing facilities from Microsoft Office $($that is$,$ Word, Excel and$/$or PowerPoint$)$ rather than using a specialised project management package such as Microsoft Project. You may want to experiment with these applications and decide which facilities you find the best. For example, you may wish to set up a stakeholder diagram in Word and use PowerPoint for the network diagrams. Alternatively, you may be used to using a spreadsheet package such as Excel and prefer to use its drawing facilities, or you may prefer to use a drawing package. It is also possible to do all the TMA questions without using software, by using pen and paper and scanning in your drawings.$$

$(10$ marks$)$

b$.$The staff resources needed are five roles. They have been identified as follows:

Web designer $$ who designs and constructs web pages for activities 'A Design website' and $\text{'}$D Implement website'.

Programmer $$ who designs and codes software for the activities $\text{'}$B Design data analytics tools', $\text{'}$E Implement data analytics tools' and $$F Implement database$.$

Database designer $$ who designs a database schema for the census data for activity $\text{'}$C Design database'.

Tester $$ who carries out all the testing for activities $$G Test website$,$ H Test data analytics tool$,$I Test database$$ and $\text{'}$K Test web application'.

System integrator $$ who combines the $3$ software components to create the web applications for activity $\text{'}$J Integrate components'.

You should assume:

There are two Programmers available to work on activities $\text{'}$B Design data analytics tool', $$E Implement data analytics tool$$ and $$F Implement database$.$

Make a list of the activities in Figure $2.$ For each activity, state which category or categories of developer will be required for how many weeks. Use a table similar to that in the solution to Exercise $4\mathrm{.}1$ in Block $3$ Part $4.$

$(5$ marks$)$

c$.$Produce an activity bar chart for the development of the web application similar to that in the discussion for Activity $4\mathrm{.}2$ in Block $3$ Part $4.$

$(10$ marks$)$

d$.$Produce a resource table for the development of the web application similar to that in discussion for Activity $4\mathrm{.}2$ in Block $3$ Part $4.$

$(5$ marks$)$

Paste your answers to all four parts of this question into your solution document. Upload your answers to OpenStudio in the slots provided for this question.

Complete this by the date given in the timeline.

Your tutor will be able to see your answers. If you don't complete this by the deadline, you will lose marks.

Once you have uploaded your answers you will be able to see the work uploaded by other students in your team. Add comments to the work of at least two other members of your team. You may wish to use these comments in your answer to Question $3$ of this TMA.