GUIDELINES FOR WRITING THE CASE STUDY:

Keep it short and simple (KISS). But this does not mean that your work will be incomplete.

I. Defining the Problem (Desribe briefly the main problem)

British Airways (BA) wanted to rejuvenate its image using international design consultants to help develop a new identity. The “makeover” was to be completed in all areas of BA’s public image as quickly as possible.

II. Developing a Model (Develop a PERT Network)

Using a computerized project management package—PERTMASTER from Abex Software—a BA team constructed a PERT model of all tasks involved.

Six Steps of PERT Network Model

1. Define the project and all of its significant activities or tasks.

2. Develop the relationships among the activities. Decide which activities must precede others.

3. Draw the network connecting all of the activities.

4. Assign time and/or cost estimates to each activity.

5. Compute the longest time path through the network; this is called the critical path.

6. Use the network to help plan, schedule, monitor, and control the project.

Questions Answered by PERT?

1. When will the entire project be completed?

2. What are the critical activities or tasks in the project, that is, the ones that will delay the entire project if they are late?

3. Which are the noncritical activities, that is, the ones that can run late without delaying the entire project’s completion?

4. If there are three time estimates, what is the probability that the project will be completed by a specific date?

5. At any particular date, is the project on schedule, behind schedule, or ahead of schedule?

6. On any given date, is the money spent equal to, less than, or greater than the budgeted amount?

7. Are there enough resources available to finish the project on time?

III. Acquiring Input Data (Discuss where the data obtained and how it was gathered)

Data were collected from each department involved. Printers were asked to develop time estimates for new company stationery, tickets, timetables, and baggage tags; clothing suppliers for uniforms; and Boeing Corp. for all the tasks involved in remaking the inside and outside of BA’s jets.

IV. Developing a Solution (In your case study, indicate that you used QM 4 Windows)

All the data were entered into PERTMASTER for a schedule and critical path.

V. TEST SOLUTIONS/ANALYZING RESULTS (Analyze Gantt Charts for availability of time, financial, human and mechanical resources.)

The resulting schedule did not please BA management. Boeing could not prepare a huge 747 in time for a December 4 gala launch date. Uniform designs were also going to delay the entire project. **Analyze Gant charts for rescheduling and proper reallocation of all resources.**

VI. Implementing the Results (No need to indicate on the paper, should be replaced by conclusions, suggestions and recommendations)

The smaller 737 was outfitted just in time for a brilliant light show in an auditorium specially built in a Heathrow Airport hangar. Ground vehicles were also prepared in time.