Network Analysis and Car Manufacturing (SCQ)

Here is a suggested answer to the following SCQ (short context question) on page 37 of the AQA A Level Grade Booster booklet.

Explain one benefit of network analysis to a car manufacturer looking to open a new factory (4 marks)

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One benefit of using network analysis to a car manufacturer looking to open a new factory is that it should help such a complex capital investment project avoid costly delays.  By breaking the new car factory project into activities, including their interrelationships and interdependencies, network analysis will identify the critical path – the activities that must be completed on time if the factory opening is not to be delayed. For example, supply, installation and testing of robotics on the flow production lines will need to be carefully scheduled, as will the recruitment and training of skilled staff, particularly if the factory is a new location rather than an extension to an existing car manufacturing facility.  Extensive production quality testing will also need to be scheduled towards the end of the project before new vehicles can begin to roll off the production line and into the distribution network.