PRO4801 Assignment 3 Semester 2 2026 – Due September 2026

PRO4801 Assignment 3 Semester 2 2026 – Due September 2026

PRO4801 ASSIGNMENT 3 2026

Instructions

The requirements for this document are as follows:
1. Ensure that your name, student number, and module code are reflected on the first page of
your answer document.
2. Use Arial, Font size 12 and 1.5 line spacing (typed).
3. Write the question in full
4. Structure: Number your answers as per the question numbers in the assignment question
paper. Essay structure: introduction, body, and conclusion (very brief intro and conclusion)
5. Page limit: 15 pages maximum. [NB: pages beyond 15 will not be marked!]
6. Referencing: Harvard (if required. In-text reference any sources other than the prescribed
book).
7. File type for submission: convert the document into a PDF file for upload.
8. Naming of submission file: use your student number and the module code in file name (e.g:
27270444_PRO4801_Assign4).
9. NB: Merely reproducing text from the prescribed book will NOT earn you marks! Answer the
question.

___________________________________________________________________________

Question 3.1

The ABC project faced many challenges, including delays and budgetary
constraints. Among the key issues raised has been the specification of the
product, which must ensure the customer gets value for money. It is reported
that poor planning was the order of the day due to a lack of experience of the
hired project manager and a lack of guidelines regarding approaches to take.
The organisation was still growing and had to establish a Project Management
Office to provide guidance and support. As an expert who completed PRO4801
and with experience gained over the years working on various types of projects,
you have been hired as a consultant to provide guidelines on how planning
should be undertaken. You’re required to provide confidence to the appointing
authority by addressing the questions (3.1, 3.2, 3.3) posed in the different
sections.

Distinguish between the different steps in the project planning process and
explain the purpose of typical questions to be answered in each step. [20]

Question 3.2

The appointing authority (above) requires clarity on scheduling to avoid the
project’s further delay and, therefore, requires you to attend to the aspects that
follow. The scheduling of work elements (work packages) is a crucial aspect in
planning since scheduling determines the basis for resource allocation, cost
estimates, and project performance.

Justify how the project will benefit from using the following:

(i) Project master schedule and project activities. (7)
(ii) Task schedules, Gantt charts, and milestone schedules. (7)
(iii) Network scheduling (6)
[20]

Question 3.3

The appointing authority (above) also needs an understanding of planning
tools that can be utilized in the project.

Defend the use of the different planning tools and documents in the project,
highlighting the significance of each.

(i) Work breakdown structure (WBS) (7)
(ii) Statement of Work (SOW) (7)
(iii) Responsibility matrix (6)
[20]

Question 3.4

The Taxi Recapitalisation Project (TRP) was identified, introduced, and
developed by the Minister of Transport to assess the effectiveness and efficiency
of transforming the taxi industry. The TRP specifies eleven activities that can be
accomplished either by one person working alone or by several people working
together. The activities, precedence constraints, and time estimates are shown in
the following table:

Activities
Preceding activities
Person-days required
A
–
15
B
A
8
C
A
5
D
B
6
E
D
8
F
C
7
G
E, F
4
H
F
2
I
F
3
J
H, I
3
K
J, G
2

NOTES:
• You have five people who can be assigned on any given day.
• A person must work full days on each activity.
• The number of people working on an activity can vary from day to day.

REQUIRED:

(i) Prepare a network diagram (use the AON format) and calculate the
critical path(s), the early start and finish times, the late start and finish
times, as well as the total slack of each activity. Assume that only one
person is working on each activity. Indicate how many person-days will
be needed to complete this project. (20)

(ii) Prepare a time chart (Gantt chart) for all the activities. (10)

(iii) Use the time chart to prepare a daily personnel assignment sheet to
complete the project within the shortest possible time. Also mention
how many days the project could be compressed if unlimited
personnel resources were available. (7)

(iv) Will the company have to pay penalties if activities H and I are both
delayed by nine days? How can the slack at activity J be used to
overcome this problem? (3)
[40]

[Total marks: 100]
(Weight: 10%)