A footwear retailer wants to take its business online. The project manager involved in this project uses the critical path method to complete the project on time. As a first step, they identify the activities involved and prepared a work breakdown structure.

Rationale

Establishing an activity sequence is the first step in using the critical path method.

When starting a project with the critical path method, the initial focus is on identifying and sequencing all activities involved in the project. This step is essential for understanding the order in which tasks must be completed to meet project deadlines.

A (Recognize the critical path) YOUR ANSWER

Recognizing the critical path occurs after all activities have been identified and sequenced. It involves determining which tasks directly impact the project timeline. This step is dependent on having a clear sequence of activities already established, making it an inappropriate first step.

B (Draw a network diagram) YOUR ANSWER

Drawing a network diagram is typically done after activities have been identified and sequenced. This visual representation illustrates the relationships and dependencies between tasks. Therefore, while important, it cannot be the first step in the critical path method.

C (Compute activity completion time) YOUR ANSWER

Computing activity completion time comes after identifying the activities and their sequence. This involves estimating the duration for each task and is critical for determining the overall project timeline. However, it cannot precede the establishment of an activity sequence.

D (Establish an activity sequence) CORRECT

Establishing an activity sequence is the foundational step in the critical path method. It involves organizing tasks in the order they need to be performed, which is crucial for identifying dependencies and planning the project effectively.

Conclusion

In the application of the critical path method, the first step—establishing an activity sequence—sets the groundwork for project management. It enables the project manager to visualize task dependencies and prepare for subsequent steps, such as drawing network diagrams and computing timelines. Understanding this sequence is vital for ensuring timely project completion and effective resource allocation.

A footwear retailer wants to take its business online. The project manager involved in this project uses the critical path method to complete the project on time. As a first step, they identify the activities involved and prepared a work breakdown structure.

Establishing an activity sequence is the first step in using the critical path method.

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