A publisher has contracted an author to produce a textbook. The production process involves the author submitting a manuscript and files, editing, sample page and cover design, artwork, formatting, and printing. The critical path through the network is the author submitting the manuscript, editing, formatting, artwork approval, plate production, and binding, taking 17 weeks total to complete the project.

1. Project Networks

2. A publisher has a contract with an author to publish a textbook. The
(simplified) activities associated with the production of the textbook are given
below. The author is required to submit to the publisher a hardcopy and a
computer file of the manuscript. Develop the associated network for the project.
Activity Predecessor(s) Duration
A: Manuscript proofreading by editor - 3 weeks
B: Sample pages preparation - 2 weeks
C: Book cover design - 4 weeks
D: Artwork preparation - 3 weeks
E: Author’s approval of edited manuscript
and sample pages
A, B 2 weeks
F: Book formatting E 4 weeks
G: Author’s review of formatted pages F 2 weeks
H: Author’s review of artwork D 1 weeks
I: Production of printing plates G, H 2 weeks
J: Book production and binding C, I 4 weeks

3. Drawing the network

4. 1 A
3
Activity A B C D E F G H I J
Predecessor(s) - - - - A, B E F D G, H C, I
Duration 3 2 4 3 2 4 2 1 2 4
B
D
C
3
4
E
5
F
6
G
7
2
H
I
8
J
9
2
4
3
2 4 2
1
2
4
K
0

5. Finding critical path and
project duration

6. 1 A
3
B
D
C
3
4
E
5
F
6
G
7
2
H
I
8
J
9
2
4
3
2 4 2
1
2
4
K
0
DHIJ=3+1+2+4=10
BKEFGIJ=2+0+2+4+2+2+4=16
AEFGIJ=3+2+4+2+2+4=17
CJ=4+4=8
Critical Path: AEFGIJ
Project Duration: 17 weeks