Network diagrams are used to show how a large project or task can be broken down into a logical series of sub tasks. Knowing the benefits and problems of network diagrams can be very helpful to A2 Business Studies students as it gives you another way to analyse company projects.
Pros Of Network Diagrams
- Planning- Identify all tasks necessary to complete
- Identify ‘critical’ activities, also activities where ‘float’ exists
- Set deadlines to work towards. Interim + final
- Helps plan ordering of stocks/ materials or equipment.
- It helps cashflow
- Network can help solve problems that arise during the project
Cons Of Network Diagrams
- It takes time to produce
- It costs a lot to produce
- Is the network necessary? Is the task obvious or simple?
- It can become very complex- could be misinterpreted
- Reliability of data, e.g timescales, who has produced it and errors, e.g missing tasks
- Threat of external factors that cause problems, e.g weather
In an exam question you will only need to discuss two benefits and two problems.
Evaluation
Network analysis+ critical path analysis is often necessary as a planning tool, BUT on its own it isn’t sufficient to guarantee success.
The data needs to be:
- Reliable and accurate
- Implemented well and managed effectively
Each Con is a disadvantage and can be easily explained. For example, the first disadvantage 'It takes time to produce' could be expanded on that Network diagrams will take time for a business to produce. This could slow up the development of work and prove to be financially inefficient as time is money.
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thanks this article helped
how about the following cons:
Is the network necessary? Is the task obvious or simple?
It can become very complex- could be misinterpreted
Reliability of data, e.g timescales, who has produced it and errors, e.g missing tasks
There are lots of pros and cons to network diagrams with some of the main points listed above in the article. All of your cons are valid but it really depends on what the network diagram is being used for. All in all, there are usually more pros to cons for network diagrams because although they take up time and money, it will make the business reach deadlines making the workers much more efficient and productive.
Thanks this info was really helpful! I used a website called Lucidchart to create my own business network diagram and it was really easy to understand. If you use diagrams often you should check it out!