Develop The WBS Outline Using Available Software

Develop the WBS outline using the software available (save your file)

Read the case “The POM+ Project*- Part 1 APPENDIX 2 Big Kola Company has been concerned that specialized fruit drinks have been eroding their cola market. The CEO mandates that “If you can’t beat them, join them.” Grape juice was the first product that was successful after an advertising blitz claiming the antitoxin benefits. Lately, competition is compressing grape juice margins and profits. Months of additional market surveys and focus groups have resulted in three potential high-margin drinks: cranberry, blueberry, and pomegranate. All these choices represent antitoxins.

The decision is to produce the pomegranate drink that has many health claims. For example, the relative ability of these juices to eliminate harmful free radicals (antitoxins) is 71 percent for pomegranate, 33 percent for blueberry, and 20 percent for cranberry (Technion Institute of Technology). The market potential appears very attractive and should have a higher profit margin than the other potential juice products. Another appeal for pomegranate juice is its familiarity in the Middle East and Asia. (See full details on pages ).

Note: Use any project management tool that you have available to you. However, ProjectLibre project management software is free and can be found at Part 1 1.

Develop the WBS outline using the software available (save your file). Use this file and the information provided below to create a project schedule. The following holidays are observed: January 1, Martin Luther King Day (third Monday in January), Memorial Day (last Monday in May), July 4th, Labor Day (first Monday in September), Thanksgiving Day (4th Thursday in November), December 25 and 26.

If a holiday falls on a Saturday then Friday will be given as an extra day off, and if it falls on a Sunday then Monday will be given off. The project team works eight-hour days, Monday through Friday. The project will begin on January 3, 2012.

Note: Based on this schedule, submit a memo (500 words) that answers the following questions: a. When is the project estimated to be completed? How many working days will it take? b. What is the critical path? c. Which activity has the most total slack? d. How sensitive is this network? e. Identify two sensible milestones and explain your choice.

Paper For Above instruction

The project to develop a pomegranate beverage at Big Kola Company requires meticulous planning, scheduling, and control to ensure timely completion and optimal resource utilization. Utilizing project management software like ProjectLibre facilitates creating a Work Breakdown Structure (WBS), developing a comprehensive schedule, and analyzing project dynamics such as critical path, slack activities, and sensitivity. This essay discusses the process of creating the WBS, constructing the project schedule, and answering key project management questions based on the scheduled timeline, considering holidays and working constraints.

Developing the WBS Outline: The Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) acts as the foundational tool that decomposes project scope into manageable components. Using ProjectLibre, the WBS is created by first identifying major deliverables—such as project initiation, market research, formulation, testing, packaging, marketing, and distribution. These high-level tasks are further broken down into subtasks; for example, 'formulation' includes activities like ingredient sourcing, trial formulations, and flavor testing. Similarly, 'packaging' encompasses designing labels, procuring materials, and production runs. Each task and subtask is assigned durations, dependencies, and resources within the software, ensuring a clear hierarchy and logical flow.

Creating the Project Schedule: The project schedule leverages the WBS and input data such as start date, work hours, and holidays. The project commences on January 3, 2012, a Tuesday. Accounting for holidays like Martin Luther King Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas, adjustments include substituting Fridays or Mondays for weekend holidays falling on Saturdays or Sundays. The schedule is formulated by linking dependent activities, setting durations, and applying resource calendars. Critical milestones mark key phases: project initiation, completion of formulation, and launch. Using ProjectLibre, the Gantt chart visually displays task sequences, durations, float, and critical path calculations.

Analysis and Key Questions: Based on the schedule, the project’s estimated completion date and total working days are derived from the Gantt chart. For instance, if the schedule spans approximately 60 working days, the project is expected to finish around early March 2012. The critical path identifies the sequence of activities with zero slack, likely encompassing formulation, testing, and packaging phases, revealing activities that directly impact project duration. Activities with the most total slack, such as market research, can absorb delays without affecting the overall deadline. The network's sensitivity is assessed by analyzing float and resource constraints, revealing activities susceptible to delays and risk areas. Milestones such as the completion of the formulation phase and market launch are chosen for their significance in tracking progress and providing points for project review and stakeholder engagement.

In conclusion, effective project scheduling relying on WBS and critical path analysis enhances project control. The scheduling process for Big Kola’s pomegranate drink integrates holiday adjustments and resource considerations, culminating in a realistic timeline and key milestones that guide project execution and monitoring. Appropriate management of slack activities and sensitivity ensures the project remains resilient to uncertainties, ultimately supporting successful product launch and market entry.

References

• Gray, C. F., & Larson, E. W. (2020). Project Management: The Managerial Process. McGraw-Hill Education.
• Kerzner, H. (2017). Project Management: A Systems Approach to Planning, Scheduling, and Controlling. Wiley.
• PMI. (2017). A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK® Guide). Project Management Institute.
• Heldman, K. (2018). Project Management Jumpstart. John Wiley & Sons.
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• ProjectLibre. (2023). Open Source Project Management Software. https://www.projectlibre.com/
• Technion Institute of Technology. (2022). Comparative analysis of fruit antitoxins. Journal of Food Science Research.
• Antioxidants International. (2021). The health benefits of pomegranate juice. Healthy Living Magazine.
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