Indicative content guidance
Answers must be credited by using the level descriptors (below) in line with the general marking guidance. The indicative content below exemplifies some of the points that candidates may make but this does not imply that any of these must be included. Other relevant points must also be credited.
QS: QS3, QS8 and QS9
Knowledge, Application, Analysis, Evaluation - indicative content
- Critical Path Analysis (CPA) is a decision-making tool and planning tool and can provide Burger King and its franchisees with
a useful overview of the renovation programme
- CPA is a tool that helps to schedule and manage projects. It helps to identify the minimum length of time needed to
complete a project
- By carrying out CPA, Burger King can see that renovating a restaurant will take 11 weeks
- Knowing this, it can help Burger King to reduce the risk and costs of the redevelopment by encouraging careful assessment of the requirements of each activity in a project
- The CPA will allow the scheduling of builders and kitchen fitters to ensure outside contractors are utilised effectively
- Delivery of furniture and equipment can be scheduled to be
delivered just-in-time to ensure capital is not tied up unnecessarily
- CPA helps to spot the activities that have some slack/float and
could therefore transfer some resources so that there is a better allocation of resources
- For example, Activity C has a float of 1 week which means
installing the new technology could be delayed without making the overall project longer
- By knowing how long it will take, it can budget for the discounts on royalties
- However, the CPA may not be effective for all restaurants as they
may have different layouts and building requirements. The availability of local contractors to undertake the renovations will be different in different locations
- The quality of the network will depend on the accuracy of the data entered into it
- For example, Activity B (complete building work) may take longer than the projected 3 weeks so would delay the whole project as this lies on the critical path
- This could mean that all subsequent activities will be delayed, and the redevelopment will take longer than the projected 11 weeks resulting in lost revenue for the franchisees
- This may be the first time Burger King has renovated these restaurants so it might be very difficult to make accurate predictions about the length of each activity
- The success depends on the skills of the person constructing the
critical path network and the timely delivery of furniture and new
technology
- CPA is a management and decision-making tool that must be used in conjunction with other decision-making tools to increase
its effectiveness
Completed CPA network
Level
Mark
Descriptor
0
No rewardable material.
Level 1
1-4
Isolated elements of knowledge and understanding.
Weak or no relevant application of business examples.
An argument may be attempted but will be generic and fail to connect causes and/or consequences.
Level 2
5-8
Elements of knowledge and understanding, which are applied to the business example.
Arguments and chains of reasoning are presented but connections between causes and/or consequences are incomplete. Attempts to address the question.
A comparison or judgement may be attempted but it will not successfully show an awareness of the key features of business behaviour or business situation.
Level 3
9-14
Accurate and thorough knowledge and understanding, supported throughout by relevant and effective use of the business behaviour/context.
Uses developed chains of reasoning, so that causes and/or consequences are complete, showing an understanding of the question.
Arguments are well developed.
Quantitative and/or qualitative information is introduced in an attempt to support judgements, a partial awareness of the validity and/or significance of competing arguments and may lead to a conclusion.
Level 4
15-20
Accurate and thorough knowledge and understanding, supported throughout by relevant and effective use of the business behaviour/context.
Uses well-developed and logical, coherent chains of reasoning, showing a range of cause and/or effect(s).
Arguments are fully developed.
Quantitative and/or qualitative information is/are used well to support judgements. A full awareness of the validity and significance of competing arguments/factors, leading to balanced comparisons, judgements and an effective conclusion that proposes a solution and/or recommendations.
