A company uses four components (W.

The critical path is the longest path through the project, determining the shortest time to complete the project. The components and their dependencies are:

W: Installation Time = 4 weeks

X: Acquisition Time = 5 weeks + Installation Time = 4 weeks, Total = 9 weeks

Y: Predecessors are W, X, Z. Therefore, Y cannot start until W, X, and Z are completed.

Z: Installation Time = 6 weeks

To find the critical path:

W: 4 weeks

X: 9 weeks

Z: 6 weeks

Y depends on W, X, and Z, so Y starts after the longest time among W, X, and Z, which is 9 weeks (X), and Y takes 4 weeks. Thus, the total time is 9 weeks + 4 weeks = 13 weeks.

References:

Kerzner, H. (2017). Project Management: A Systems Approach to Planning, Scheduling, and Controlling. Wiley.

PMBOK® Guide (2017). Project Management Institute.