Two international banks are integrating two financial processing software systems as a result of their merger. Preliminary analysis and interviews with all parties involved resulted in the following project information. The systems integration team for this project plans to define and manage this project on two levels. The following activities represent an aggregate view, and within each activity is a more detailed view with subtasks and project networks defined. All times are in weeks.

Activity Immediate Time

Predecessors

A 3

B A 1

C A 2

D B, C 3

E C 5

F C 3

G E 7

H E, F 5

I D, G, H 8

As a member of the systems integration team, you have operations management responsibilities. You have been tasked to develop a detailed project plan, to identify alternative project completion dates, and to recommend an optimal project deadline to top management.

1. Why is the management deadline suboptimal?
2. Why is the PERT/CPM deadline suboptimal?
3. Why is the Safe deadline suboptimal?