1.5. Allocation Criteria

So, earliest start time is how early an activity can be started. And later start time is how delayed an activity can be started without affecting the project completion time. So, that means this particular activity A it start can be delayed by 3 days, but this one affect the project completion time. So this has a float of 3 days. So, how much delay an activity you can accommodate without affecting the project completion time that is called as a float of the activity.

In project management, each activity has a specific time frame for its start and finish. The 'earliest start time' is the earliest point in time that an activity can commence, while the 'latest start time' indicates the latest point it can be postponed without causing delays to the overall project. The 'float' or 'slack' of an activity represents the total days it can be delayed—a float of 3 days, for example, means that the activity can be postponed by up to 3 days without impacting the completion of the project. This concept is crucial for identifying which activities are critical for maintaining the schedule.

Imagine you're organizing a birthday party. If you know that the cake can be baked 3 days before the party without affecting the event, then you have 3 days of float. You can safely push the baking date back by three days, but not more, or you won't have a cake for the party.

So, for this particular project, first the network diagram is drawn... But everyone knows this cannot be real case in every project site there will be a constraint of resource, resources are never unlimited.

Initially, project schedules can be created assuming there are unlimited resources available for all activities. However, in real-world scenarios, constraints such as limited machinery or manpower must be considered. For instance, if a project requires cranes for construction but only has two available, this limitation must be factored into scheduling, thus affecting the project timeline based on resource allocation.

Consider planning a school play with a limited number of costumes. If there are only two costumes that multiple characters require, you can't have them all on stage at the same time. You need to schedule the characters to ensure there are no costume conflicts, which can lead to delays in the show.

So how to allocate the resources on what criteria we are going to allocate the resources... So, the least total float approach is a common approach followed.

To allocate resources effectively, project managers often use the 'least total float' approach. This means they first focus on activities that have the least amount of float, as these are the most critical to project completion. Activities with zero float are termed 'critical,' and they are prioritized for resource allocation to minimize delays. After critical activities are managed, managers can then allocate resources to those with slightly more float. This minimizes the risk of project delays effectively.

Imagine a high school preparing for exams. Students who need the most help in subjects they are about to fail (zero float) get prioritized tutoring before others who might have passed but still want to improve (more float). This addresses urgent needs first and helps overall performance.

So, now on what basis we can allocate the resource to these activities... So, in the beginning, you can see the crane C 1 is allocated to A and the crane C 2 is allocated to B.

The project starts with several activities that require cranes, but only two cranes are available. Therefore, the allocation process begins with identifying which activities require immediate attention based on their latest start times. By allocating the cranes to activities with the least latest start time, project managers ensure minimal idle time for equipment and efficient project progression. This careful management allows for the optimal use of the available resources and keeps the project on track.

Think of it like assigning cars to students for a group project. If two cars are available but three students need to get to the library for research, you would first give the cars to the students with the nearest deadlines. This way, the transportation is maximized, and no student is left waiting too long.

So now see which are all the next eligible activities for allocation... So after B you can see the crane is allocated to E.

After monitoring the completion of specific tasks, project managers will assess which activities can now proceed based on the completion of pre-required tasks. This process involves checking which activities have become eligible for resource allocation as prior tasks finish. For instance, once Activity B is completed, other activities like E, F, and G may now be ready to start. By continuing with this assessment, the project optimizes its workflow and maintains as much efficiency as possible.

Imagine a team working on a puzzle where one section must be completed to access more pieces. Once the first section is done, members can immediately start working on the next areas. This means keeping everyone constantly busy, reducing downtime.

So, this is the basis on which the allocation is being done... So, with this we are coming towards the end of this lecture...

In conclusion, the allocation criteria based on the least latest start time or total float approach allows for effective management of resources in a project. This strategic approach ensures that critical activities are noted, and resources, like cranes, are allocated efficiently to minimize delays. While delays may still occur due to resource constraints, they can be managed to keep the project within acceptable timelines.

Think of organizing a flight schedule. Airlines prioritize takeoffs based on urgency and runway availability. Even if there are delays, the goal is to minimize the impact on the overall travel schedule, similarly to managing project timelines effectively to meet deadlines.

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