PMP Practice: Assess Plans for Dependencies and Gaps

Chidera Nwosu is managing a warehouse automation project for Ambitious Napkin Inc. The project includes installing robotic sorting systems across four phases. During planning, the team provides the following effort estimates for Phase 2 (conveyor belt integration): Optimistic estimate: 18 days Most likely estimate: 24 days Pessimistic estimate: 42 days Lila needs to calculate a weighted average duration for this phase to support resource planning. The project sponsor has requested that Lila also calculate the standard deviation to understand the variability risk, as Phase 2 is on the critical path and any delay will impact the warehouse opening date. Using the three-point estimation technique, what is the expected duration for Phase 2, and what is the standard deviation?