Using the data in Appendix D, analyse the possible consequences for Roberts Media plc if activity ‘G’ (equipment installed) and activity ‘E’ (design marketing campaign) are both delayed by four weeks.

Critical path analysis is the mathematical network analysis technique of planning complex working procedures with reference to the critical path of each alternative system.
One possible consequence is that there will be a four week delay for activity ‘G’. This will therefore lead to the launch taking 25 weeks instead of the originally planned target of it taking 24 weeks. This delay will result in the business failing to meet its targeted launch with London fashion week. This could therefore result in the business failing to receive publicity and advertisements linking to London fashion week preventing them from creating awareness thus resulting in a loss of potential customers. The loss of potential advertisement contracts also results in an additional loss of revenue.
Another consequence is that Roberts Media plc will have lost a lot of potential customers and sales to its competitors. As stated in the case study the readership of the magazines has fallen in the past two years for reasons such as competition from cheaper rival magazines. By having activity ‘G’ and activity ‘E’ delayed, all the others will be as well as will the launch as previously mentioned. Roberts Media plc.’s competitors could gain customers quicker if they release their products beforehand as customers may instantly like their products and not want to look at others from that point on. This means that the competitor rivals will continue to further Roberts Media plc.’s decline in readership due to them attracting and gaining customers on a ‘first come first serve’ type