Certain key concepts pertaining to a project network are described below:
Key Concepts
Certain key concepts pertaining
to a project network are described below:
1.Activity
An activity means a work. A project consists of
several activities. An activity takes time. It is represented by an arrow in a
diagram of the network. For example, an activity in house construction can be
flooring. This is represented as follows:
Construction
of a house involves various activities. Flooring is an activity in this
project. We can say that a project is completed only when all the activities in
the project are completed.It is the beginning or the end of an activity.
Events are represented by circles in a project network diagram. The events in a
network are called the nodes. Example
Starting a punching machine is an activity. Stopping
the punching machine is another activity. 3.Predecessor
Event
The event just before another
event is called the predecessor event. 4.Successor
Event
The event just following another
event is called the successor event. Example: Consider the following.
In this diagram, event 1 is predecessor for the
event 2. Event 2 is successor to event 1. Event 2 is predecessor for the events 3, 4 and 5. Event 4 is predecessor for the event 6. Event 6 is successor to events 3, 4 and 5.Network
A network is a series of related activities and
events which result in an end product or service. The activities shall follow a
prescribed sequence. For example, while constructing a house, laying the
foundation should take place before the construction of walls. Fitting water
tapes will be done towards the completion of the construction. Such a sequence
cannot be altered. 6.Dummy Activity
A dummy activity is an activity which does not
consume any time. Sometimes, it may be necessary to introduce a dummy activity
in order to provide connectivity to a network or for the preservation of the
logical sequence of the nodes and edges. 7.Construction of a Project Network
A project network consists of a finite number of
events and activities, by adhering to a certain specified sequence. There shall
be a start event and an end event (or
stop event). All the other events shall
be between the start and the end events. The activities shall be marked by
directed arrows. An activity takes the project from one event to another event. An event takes place at a point of time whereas an
activity takes place from one point of time to another point of time.
Tags : Operations Management - Network Problems
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