Project Crashing is a project management technique used to shorten the project duration by adding additional resources to critical path tasks. It is typically employed when a project is behind schedule or when there is a need to meet an earlier deadline. However, crashing often comes at an increased cost, as it involves allocating more resources (e.g., labor, equipment, or materials) to complete tasks faster.
Key Concepts of Project Crashing
Critical Path:
The longest sequence of tasks in a project that determines the minimum project duration.
Crashing focuses on tasks on the critical path because shortening non-critical tasks won’t reduce the overall project duration.
Crash Time:
The shortest possible time in which a task can be completed by adding additional resources.
Crash Cost:
The additional cost incurred to reduce the task duration to the crash time.
Normal Time and Normal Cost:
The original estimated time and cost to complete a task without additional resources.
Steps to Perform Project Crashing
Identify the Critical Path:
Determine the critical path and the tasks that are driving the project duration.
Determine Crashable Tasks:
Identify tasks on the critical path that can be shortened by adding resources.
Calculate Crash Cost per Unit Time:
For each task, calculate the cost of reducing its duration by one unit of time (e.g., per day or week).
Choose the Most Cost-Effective Tasks:
Prioritize tasks with the lowest crash cost per unit time to minimize additional costs.
Apply Resources and Adjust the Schedule:
Allocate additional resources to the selected tasks and update the project schedule.
Monitor the Impact:
Track the changes in the project timeline and budget to ensure the crashing is effective.
Example of Project Crashing
Suppose a project has the following tasks on the critical path:
Task
Normal Time (Days)
Crash Time (Days)
Normal Cost ($)
Crash Cost ($)
A
5
3
500
800
B
7
5
1000
1400
C
4
2
600
1000
Calculate Crash Cost per Day:
2. Choose the Most Cost-Effective Task:
Task A has the lowest crash cost per day ($150).
3. Crash Task A:
Reduce Task A from 5 days to 3 days.
Additional cost: 2×150=3002×150=300.
4. Update Project Duration:
The project duration is reduced by 2 days.
Advantages of Project Crashing
Helps meet tight deadlines.
Improves flexibility in project scheduling.
Can prevent penalties for late delivery.
Disadvantages of Project Crashing
Increases project costs due to additional resources.
May lead to reduced quality if tasks are rushed.
Not all tasks can be crashed (e.g., tasks with fixed durations).
When to Use Project Crashing
When the project is behind schedule.
When there is a fixed deadline that must be met.
When the benefits of completing the project earlier outweigh the additional costs.
By carefully analyzing the trade-offs between time and cost, project managers can use crashing to effectively manage project timelines while minimizing negative impacts.
In project management, estimation is a critical process for predicting the time, cost, resources, and effort required to complete a project. Different estimation techniques are used depending on the project’s complexity, available data, and the stage of the project lifecycle. Below are the key estimation techniques used in project management:
1. Analogous Estimation (Top-Down Estimation)
Description: Uses historical data from similar past projects to estimate the current project.
When to Use: Early in the project when detailed information is limited.
Advantages:
Quick and easy to perform.
Requires minimal details.
Disadvantages:
Less accurate, as it relies on assumptions.
Not suitable for unique or complex projects.
2. Parametric Estimation
Description: Uses statistical relationships between historical data and project variables (e.g., cost per square foot, time per unit).
When to Use: When historical data is available and the project is well-defined.
Advantages:
More accurate than analogous estimation.
Scalable for large projects.
Disadvantages:
Requires reliable data and a clear understanding of variables.
May not account for unique project factors.
3. Bottom-Up Estimation
Description: Breaks the project into smaller tasks, estimates each task individually, and then aggregates the estimates.
When to Use: When detailed project information is available.
Beta Distribution (PERT): Estimate=O+4M+P6Estimate=6O+4M+P
When to Use: When there is uncertainty in task durations or costs.
Advantages:
Accounts for risks and uncertainties.
Provides a range of possible outcomes.
Disadvantages:
Requires more effort to calculate.
Relies on subjective judgment.
5. Expert Judgment
Description: Relies on the experience and intuition of experts to estimate project parameters.
When to Use: When historical data is unavailable or the project is unique.
Advantages:
Quick and flexible.
Useful for complex or innovative projects.
Disadvantages:
Subjective and prone to bias.
Accuracy depends on the expert’s experience.
6. Delphi Technique
Description: A structured method where experts provide estimates anonymously, and the results are aggregated and refined through multiple rounds of feedback.
When to Use: When consensus is needed among experts.
Advantages:
Reduces bias and groupthink.
Provides reliable estimates.
Disadvantages:
Time-consuming.
Requires coordination and facilitation.
7. Reserve Analysis
Description: Adds contingency reserves (time or cost) to the project estimate to account for uncertainties and risks.
When to Use: When the project has high uncertainty or risk.
Advantages:
Improves project resilience.
Accounts for unforeseen events.
Disadvantages:
Can lead to overestimation if not managed properly.
8. Comparative Estimation
Description: Compares the current project with similar past projects to estimate effort, cost, or duration.
When to Use: When historical data from comparable projects is available.
Advantages:
Simple and quick.
Useful for repetitive projects.
Disadvantages:
Less accurate for unique projects.
Relies on the availability of comparable data.
9. Function Point Analysis (FPA)
Description: Estimates the size and complexity of software projects based on the number of functions or features.
When to Use: For software development projects.
Advantages:
Standardized and objective.
Useful for measuring productivity.
Disadvantages:
Requires expertise in FPA.
Not suitable for non-software projects.
10. Monte Carlo Simulation
Description: Uses probability distributions and random sampling to simulate thousands of possible project outcomes.
When to Use: For complex projects with high uncertainty.
Advantages:
Provides a range of possible outcomes and probabilities.
Accounts for risks and uncertainties.
Disadvantages:
Requires specialized software and expertise.
Time-consuming to set up and run.
Choosing the Right Estimation Technique
Early Project Stages: Use analogous estimation or expert judgment when details are limited.
Detailed Planning: Use bottom-up estimation or parametric estimation when more information is available.
High Uncertainty: Use three-point estimation, Monte Carlo simulation, or reserve analysis.
Software Projects: Use function point analysis or story points (in Agile).
By selecting the appropriate estimation technique(s), project managers can improve the accuracy of their estimates and set realistic expectations for stakeholders.
Project scheduling is a critical aspect of project management that involves planning, organizing, and managing tasks and resources to ensure the project is completed on time. Below is a step-by-step explanation of how to create and manage a project schedule:
Step 1: Define Project Scope and Objectives
Understand the project goals: Clearly define what the project aims to achieve.
Identify deliverables: List all the outputs or outcomes the project will produce.
Set boundaries: Determine what is included and excluded from the project scope.
Step 2: Break Down the Work (Work Breakdown Structure – WBS)
Decompose the project: Divide the project into smaller, manageable tasks or work packages.
Hierarchical structure: Organize tasks into levels (e.g., phases, deliverables, sub-tasks).
Ensure completeness: Make sure all tasks are accounted for to avoid missing critical work.
Step 3: Define Task Dependencies
Identify relationships: Determine the order in which tasks must be completed.
Types of dependencies:
Finish-to-Start (FS): Task B cannot start until Task A is finished.
Start-to-Start (SS): Task B cannot start until Task A starts.
Finish-to-Finish (FF): Task B cannot finish until Task A finishes.
Start-to-Finish (SF): Task B cannot finish until Task A starts (rare).
Use a network diagram: Visualize task dependencies to understand the flow of work.
Step 4: Estimate Task Durations
Gather input: Consult team members or experts to estimate how long each task will take.
Consider resources: Account for the availability of resources (e.g., people, equipment).
Use estimation techniques:
Expert judgment: Rely on experienced team members.
Analogous estimating: Use data from similar past projects.
Parametric estimating: Use statistical relationships (e.g., cost per unit).
Three-point estimating: Calculate optimistic, pessimistic, and most likely durations.
Step 5: Assign Resources
Identify resources: Determine the people, equipment, and materials needed for each task.
Allocate resources: Assign resources to tasks based on availability and skills.
Avoid over-allocation: Ensure resources are not overburdened by too many tasks.
Step 6: Develop the Schedule
Choose a scheduling tool: Use tools like Gantt charts, Microsoft Project, or software like Asana, Trello, or Jira.
Input tasks, durations, and dependencies: Populate the tool with the information gathered.
Set milestones: Identify key points in the project timeline (e.g., project phases, deliverables).
Calculate critical path: Identify the longest sequence of dependent tasks that determine the project duration.
Step 7: Review and Optimize the Schedule
Check for feasibility: Ensure the schedule is realistic and achievable.
Identify bottlenecks: Look for tasks that could delay the project.
Optimize resource allocation: Adjust resources to balance workloads.
Consider buffers: Add contingency time for high-risk tasks.
Step 8: Baseline the Schedule
Finalize the schedule: Once approved, set the schedule as the baseline.
Document assumptions: Record any assumptions made during scheduling.
Communicate the schedule: Share the baseline schedule with stakeholders and team members.
Step 9: Monitor and Control the Schedule
Track progress: Regularly compare actual progress to the baseline schedule.
Update the schedule: Adjust the schedule as needed to reflect changes or delays.
Manage changes: Use a change control process to handle scope or schedule changes.
Communicate updates: Keep stakeholders informed of any changes to the schedule.
Step 10: Close the Project
Review the schedule: Analyze how well the schedule was followed and identify lessons learned.
Document variances: Record any deviations from the baseline schedule.
Archive the schedule: Store the final schedule for future reference.
Key Tools and Techniques for Project Scheduling
Gantt Charts: Visual representation of tasks and timelines.
Critical Path Method (CPM): Identifies the longest path of dependent tasks.
Program Evaluation and Review Technique (PERT): Uses probabilistic time estimates.
Kanban Boards: Visual workflow management tool.
Resource Leveling: Balances resource allocation to avoid overloading.
The Multidimensional data cube is a multi-dimensional array of data used for OLAP (Online Analytical Processing)
A Multidimensional data cube allows data to be viewed in multiple dimensions.
1. Roll-Up or Drill Up Operation
Roll-up is an aggregation operation that summarizes data by climbing up a concept hierarchy or by dimension reduction. It’s like zooming out to see a broader view.
Example: Sales data cube with dimensions: Location (City), Time (Month), and Product.
A roll-up operation might aggregate sales data from the city level to the country level.
Below DataBefore Roll-Up:
City: Sales in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago
Month: January, February, March
Product: Laptops, Tablets, Phones
Below DataAfter Roll-Up:
Country: Sales in USA
Quarter: Q1
Product: Laptops, Tablets, Phones
2. Drill-Down Operation
Drill-down is the reverse of roll-up. It provides more detailed data by descending a concept hierarchy or adding dimensions. It’s like zooming in to see finer details.
Example: Using the same sales data cube, a drill-down operation might break down sales data from the country level to the city level.
Below DataBefore Drill-Down:
Country: Sales in USA
Quarter: Q1
Product: Laptops, Tablets, Phones
Below DataAfter Drill-Down:
City: Sales in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago
Month: January, February, March
Product: Laptops, Tablets, Phones
3. Slice Operation
Slice selects a single dimension from the data cube, creating a sub-cube by fixing a value for one dimension.
Selection on one dimension of the given cube, resulting in a sub cube.
Example: If we want to analyze sales data for January only, we perform a slice operation on the Time dimension.
Below DataBefore Slice:
City: Sales in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago
Month: January, February, March
Product: Laptops, Tablets, Phones
Below DataAfter Slice:
City: Sales in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago
Month: January
Product: Laptops, Tablets, Phones
4. Dice Operation
Dice selects two or more dimensions to create a sub-cube by fixing values for those dimensions.
Selection on two or more dimension of the given cube, resulting in a sub cube.
Example: If we want to analyze sales data for January and February in New York and Los Angeles, we perform a dice operation.
A Multidimensional Data Model:: It is defined as a Data Model that allows data to be organized and viewed in multiple dimensions, such as time, item, branch, and location, enabling organizations to analyze relationships between different perspectives and entities efficiently.
A multidimensional data model views data in the form of a data cube, which allows data to be modeled and viewed in multiple dimensions. The key components are:
Dimensions: These are the perspectives or entities concerning which an organization keeps records. For example, time, item, and location.
Facts / Measures: These are the numerical measures or quantities. For example, sales amount.
Data Cube:: It is a multi-dimensional data structure. A data cube is organized by its dimensions (as Products, States, Date)
A data cube allows data to be viewed in multiple dimensions.
Example
A Retail store that wants to analyze its sales data. The dimensions could be:
Step [5] – Verify The Magent Cloud: Run the following command to check if the installation was successful or check magento cloud version
magento-cloud --version
Step [6] – Verify The List of Available Commands: To verify that the magento-cloud command is available, you can view list of available commands
magento-cloud list
Step [7] – magento-cloud login, once this command run below output URL
http://127.0.0.1:5000
If this URL normally does not work, follow below steps to API Token Authentication command to login inside Adobe Commerce Console.
Step [7.1] – Generate API Token in Adobe Commerce Console.
Step [7.2] – Run below command API Token Authentication command to login
magento-cloud-cli auth:api-token-login
Step [7.3] – Once above command run asking for token/password , need to put below token (Already Generated API Token in Adobe Commerce Console) & successfully login Magento cloud CLI & ready to selection different integration
EFcMEi-K6p5Mq9poSkrvqX4gWNBP9ValEG3krC2eTyc , This Already Generated API Token in Adobe Commerce Console)
Step [7.4] – To verify either inside Adobe Commerce Cloud login successfully
magento--cloud version
Step [7.5] – How To Check Lists the environments in the current project
magento-cloud environment:list
Step [7.8] – How To Check, Lists variables in the current environment
Packagist hosts a vast collection of PHP packages, from well-known libraries to smaller community-contributed ones. This repository includes libraries for tasks like authentication, database handling, routing, validation, and much more.
To configure files or repo from rom Private Repository packagist.com https://packagist.com follow below steps.
Step [1] –Login in rom Private Repository packagist.com by using your Butbucket / Github / GitLab
Run on root directory of your Magento 2 / Adobe Commerce
composer install
Step [2] – One logged inside, private repository https://packagist.com/
Go To Setup Authentication >> Composer Config Command
on the root directory of your Magento Clone Files run below command