Question

I don't need an explanation of GANTT charts. Just answer the question in an easy-to-understand way! ANSWER THOROUGHLY AND USE EXCEL PLASE! Using any of the charts or visualizations we discussed in class (I highly recommend a GANTT chart), please provide a visualization that answers the following business case:

Helen’s Quality Hardware (HQH) is a national chain hardware store headquartered in Las Cruces.  Based on issues with inventory management, quality control, and predictive analytics, they want to transition from using Excel for each function separately into using a connected ERP database.  Their vendor (Xi Data Inc.) has recommended various steps and projected times to implement the project.  However, HQH doesn't want to shut any parts of their business down for the project to control implementation timelines. There are four main steps (one with multiple steps) required for the project (System Hardware Install, System Data Upload, Limited  System Test, and Nationwide Systems Change-over).  System Hardware Install involves setting up the servers (2 weeks) and setting up in-store systems (3 weeks).  These two sub-steps can be done simultaneously.  After the servers are set up, the System Data Upload can happen and takes two weeks.  The Limited System Test can only happen if the first two steps are done and takes three weeks for the actual test and the diagnostics.  After this is completely done, the Nationwide Systems Change-over can occur.  This has two steps -- a two week implementation followed by a two week diagnostic period.

What is the minimum project time? weeks

Your chart or visualization:

Answer 1

The minimum project time for HQH's transition to a connected ERP database is 10 weeks.

Step-by-step explanation:

In order to determine the minimum project time for HQH's transition to a connected ERP database, we need to analyze the duration of each step and identify any dependencies between them. Based on the given information, the four main steps are:

1. System Hardware Install: Setting up servers (2 weeks) and setting up in-store systems (3 weeks). These sub-steps can be done simultaneously, so the duration is the maximum of the two, which is 3 weeks.
2. System Data Upload: This step takes 2 weeks.
3. Limited System Test: This step can only happen if the first two steps are done and takes 3 weeks for the actual test and the diagnostics.
4. Nationwide Systems Change-over: This step has two sub-steps - a 2-week implementation followed by a 2-week diagnostic period. The total duration for this step is 4 weeks.

To calculate the minimum project time, we need to consider the dependencies between the steps. The Limited System Test can only happen after the System Hardware Install and System Data Upload are completed, so its duration is added to the maximum duration of those two steps. Finally, the Nationwide Systems Change-over can only happen after the Limited System Test is completed, so its duration is added as well. Therefore, the minimum project time is:

Total = Maximum(System Hardware Install, System Data Upload) + Limited System Test + Nationwide Systems Change-over

Total = Maximum(3 weeks, 2 weeks) + 3 weeks + 4 weeks

Total = 3 weeks + 3 weeks + 4 weeks

Total = 10 weeks