Introduction
One of the most important duties as a project manager is to facilitate the planning of the project. The planning of a project is important because each area of business will use this information to determine how it will operate based on the project needs for resources for example. In this section, you will review one of the key objectives of project planning is to completely determine all required work of the project, so it is identified for each person who is working participant of the project. Projects normally begin with the development of a business case (Kerzner, 2017). This process happens well before the project manager is ever assigned.
Planning will begin when you understand the requirements of the project as well as the constraints and the assumptions of the project. The expectation of the projects end results are regularly made based on the assumptions identified for the project. When the project manager is assigned to a project, he or she will look at the assumptions made for the project and validate the project objectives. Part of the planning process is to document the project requirements. Then work to identify the work breakdown structure (WBS), which is the how of the planning process.
There are several approaches that can be used in the development of a work breakdown structure (WBS):
Top-down approach: This approach involves starting with the overall project goal and breaking it down into smaller, more manageable tasks. This approach is useful when the project scope is well-defined and the project team has a clear understanding of the deliverables that need to be completed. (Reference: “A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK® Guide)” by the Project Management Institute)
Bottom-up approach: This approach involves starting with the individual tasks and building up to the overall project goal. This approach is useful when the project scope is not well-defined and the project team needs to develop a more detailed understanding of the tasks that need to be completed. (Reference: “Project Management: The Managerial Process” by Erik Larson and Clifford Gray)
Mind mapping: This approach involves creating a visual representation of the project by creating a “mind map” that shows the relationships between different tasks and deliverables. This approach can be helpful for brainstorming and identifying all of the necessary tasks and deliverables. (Reference: “Project Management: A Practical Approach” by Maurice Kerzner)
Expert judgment: This approach involves consulting with subject matter experts or other stakeholders to identify the necessary tasks and deliverables for the project. This approach can be useful when there is a lack of clear information about the project scope or when the project team needs to gather additional input and insights. (Reference: “Project Management: A Systems Approach to Planning, Scheduling, and Controlling” by Harold Kerzner)
Template-based approach: This approach involves using a pre-existing template or standard to guide the development of the WBS. This approach can be useful when the project is similar to previous projects or when the project team is working to a specific set of standards or requirements. (Reference: “A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK® Guide)” by the Project Management Institute)
There are several different designs that can be used in creating a work breakdown structure (WBS):
Hierarchical design: This design involves organizing the WBS into a series of levels, with the overall project goal at the top and the individual tasks and deliverables at the lower levels. This design is useful for showing the relationships between different tasks and deliverables and for identifying the dependencies between different elements of the project. (Reference: “Project Management: The Managerial Process” by Erik Larson and Clifford Gray)
Matrix design: This design involves organizing the WBS into a matrix or grid, with the tasks and deliverables listed in rows and the different phases or deliverables listed in columns. This design is useful for showing the relationships between different tasks and deliverables and for identifying the dependencies between different elements of the project. (Reference: “A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK® Guide)” by the Project Management Institute)
Network design: This design involves creating a visual representation of the project using a diagram that shows the relationships between different tasks and deliverables. This design is useful for showing the dependencies between different elements of the project and for identifying the critical path (the sequence of tasks that must be completed in order for the project to be completed on time). (Reference: “Project Management: A Systems Approach to Planning, Scheduling, and Controlling” by Harold Kerzner)
Tree design: This design involves organizing the WBS into a tree-like structure, with the overall project goal at the top and the individual tasks and deliverables organized into branches below it. This design is useful for showing the relationships between different tasks and deliverables and for identifying the dependencies between different elements of the project. (Reference: “Project Management: A Practical Approach” by Maurice Kerzner)
The delivery of the performance domains is incorporated to check project outcomes. Project contribute to the business objectives and the advancement of organizational strategy. Project should realize the outcomes the were initiated to delivery (Project Management Institute, 2021). The delivery performance domains should ensure that the project team has a clear understanding of the project requirements.
Sources:
Kerzner Harold. (2017). Project Management – A Systems Approach to Planning, Scheduling, and Controlling (12th Edition). John Wiley & Sons.
PMBOK Guide (6th edition). Newtown Square, PA: Project Management Institute
Enabling Learning Outcomes
At the conclusion of the week, the learner will be able to:
Develop a project scope that clearly defines the scope of the project, including specific goals, deliverables, and requirements. (CLO1 and 2)
Compare and contrast goals and strategies used to plan a project. (CLO1 and 2)
Construct a work breakdown structure (WBS) given activities necessary to complete an assigned project. (CLO2)
Describe how the business case is an important input to the planning of the project. (CLO1)
Demonstrate the ability to appropriately allocate resources to execute a project plan and achieve success measures. (CLO2 and 4)
Requirements
Quality of responses
You are expected to carefully read the assignment instructions, then thoroughly and explicitly address each and every component of the assignment.
Your responses should reflect cognitive processing at the knowledge, understanding/comprehension, and application levels, which are essential for someone prepared to function as a project management professional.
Formatting
There are no minimum number of references being prescribed for the successful completion of this assignment; however, should outside sources be used in support the content within the work breakdown structure (WBS), proper in-text citations and correctly formatted references should be prepared consistent with the American Psychological Association (APA) writing standards. Review the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) academic integrity policy located in the “Help” section of this page to determine when it is appropriate to cite sources.
There are different approaches and designs used in the creation of work breakdown structures (WBS) for a project. Information pertaining to the approaches and designs are included in the overview and Help sections on this page. The length of the WBS will depend on the complexity of the project and the level of specificity contains within WBS. Your WBS should be prepared as a Microsoft Word document and uploaded in the appropriate Dropbox within the course. Resources to aid you in developing the WBS are provided in the “Help” section at the bottom of this page and in the course texts.
Grading Criteria
Refer to the Application Assignment Rubric for criteria used in grading all Application assignments.
Directions
You are expected to read the Case Study: ABC Construction below. Once you have read the case, you will need to explicitly address the assignment requirements as presented in the boxed content below. To successfully meet the performance expectations associated with this case assignment, you will be assuming the persona of the Director for ABC Construction’s Project Management Office. Ms. Dana Foster, ABC Construction’s Chief Executive Officer, would like to go over the WBS with you once you’ve put it together.
Case Study|ABC Construction
Project: Building a new office complex for a technology company
Background: ABC Construction has been awarded the contract to build a new office complex for a technology company named Epic Tech, Inc. The project will involve the construction of a multi-story building, including the foundation, structural frame, exterior finish, and interior finish. The project manager has been tasked with developing a work breakdown structure (WBS) for the project.
Objectives: The objective of this case study is to develop a comprehensive and effective WBS for the construction project. The WBS should include the necessary tasks and deliverables required to complete the project on time and within budget.
After carefully reading the case study: ABC Construction and performing a thorough review of relevant literature from in- and outside the texts, you will be assuming the persona of Director of ABC Construction’s Project Management Office (PMO). In this capacity, you will be preparing a work breakdown structure (WBS) for Epic Tech, Inc.’s, new multi-story office complex, which will be shared with Ms. Dana Foster, Chief Executive Officer, ABC Construction, once completed. As the assigned project manager for this very important client, you will follow the following steps to develop the WBS:
Define the project scope: The project manager will work with the client to clearly define the scope of the project, including the specific goals, deliverables, and requirements.
Identify the major project deliverables: Based on the defined project scope, the project manager will identify the major deliverables that need to be completed in order to successfully complete the project. These deliverables could include the foundation, structural frame, exterior finish, and interior finish.
Break down the major deliverables into smaller, more manageable tasks: The project manager will then break down each of the major deliverables into smaller tasks that can be completed by individual team members or sub-teams. For example, the task of building the foundation could be broken down into tasks such as excavating the site, pouring the concrete, and installing the reinforcement.
Assign tasks to team members: Once the tasks have been identified, the project manager will assign them to the appropriate team members based on their skills and expertise.
Create a project schedule: Using the WBS as a guide, the project manager will create a project schedule that outlines the sequence and dependencies of the tasks. This will help to ensure that the project stays on track and is completed on time.
You should select the WBS approach and design that you believe is best suited to this project. It is expected that you’re WBS will include at least 4 levels.
Outcome: By following the above process, you will be able to develop a comprehensive and effective WBS that will help to ensure that the construction project is completed on time and within budget. The WBS will also provide a clear roadmap for the project team, allowing them to understand their roles and responsibilities and work effectively towards the completion of the project.
Instructor Note: In reality, the PM would be expected to review and update the WBS as needed. This would likely occur as the project progresses or when there are any changes or unforeseen circumstances. This will help to ensure that the WBS remains accurate and effective throughout the duration of the project.
11-1 You have been asked to develop a work breakdown structure for a project. How should you go about accomplishing this? Should the WBS be time-phased, department-phased, division-phased, or some combination? using Christmas Party for the Department as a specific project.
11-3 The project startup phase is complete, and you are now ready to finalize the operational plan. Below are six steps that are often part of the finalization procedure. Place them in the appropriate order.
Draw diagrams for each individual WBS element.
Establish the work breakdown structure and identify the reporting elements and levels.
Create a coarse (arrow-diagram) network and decide on the WBS.
Refine the diagram by combining all logic into one plan. Then decide on the work assignments.
If necessary, try to condense the diagram as much as possible without losing clarity.
Integrate diagrams at each level until only one exists. Then begin integration into higher WBS levels until the desired plan is achieved.
