Write the dependencies and durations
Synthetic plan: two independent staff can start at hour zero. Artwork takes four hours, followed by a two-hour file check. Copy takes three hours, followed by a five-hour language check. Assembly needs both paths and one further hour. Durations are supplied work assumptions, not measured productivity.
| Path | Sequence | Finish hour |
|---|---|---|
| Artwork | 4 + 2 hours | 6 |
| Copy | 3 + 5 hours | 8 |
| Assembly | After both; 1 hour | 9 |
Improve the controlling path first
- Confirm independent staffing
- Add durations within each path
- Start assembly at the later finish
- Review acceleration on that path
If the two paths share one worker, this parallel plan is invalid; rebuild it with the shared capacity.
The copy path controls hour eight and assembly finishes at nine. Saving one hour on artwork alone leaves the finish at nine. Preserve the duration assumptions with the plan and update them when actual work differs.
If the language check falls from five to four hours, when does assembly finish?
Show the worked answer
At hour eight: copy finishes at 3 + 4 = 7, artwork at six, then one assembly hour.