Discussion 3: Develop A WBS For Your Class Project

33 Discussion3 Develop A Wbscreate A Wbs On Your Class Project Topic

Develop a Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) for a class project on a selected topic such as building an ice cream drive-thru, launching a hot dog stand, planning a black-tie fundraiser, or organizing a trip to three countries. The chosen project will be the focus of your individual coursework and future discussions. Create the WBS based on your project idea, following the guidelines provided in Table 7.1 of "Project Management Tools and Techniques: A Practical Guide" (2nd edition). The initial post should clearly address this task, include peer-reviewed journal citations and references, and optionally incorporate personal experience. Approximately two paragraphs are expected in your initial post.

Paper For Above instruction

Developing a Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) is a crucial step in effective project management, as it helps break down complex projects into manageable components, facilitating better planning, scheduling, budgeting, and resource allocation (Carstens, Richardson, & Smith, 2020). For this discussion, I have selected to create a WBS for launching a hot dog stand, a project that involves multiple stages from conceptualization to operation. This project includes phases such as market research, site selection, menu development, sourcing suppliers, obtaining permits, setting up the physical stand, hiring staff, marketing the launch, and ongoing operations management. The WBS breaks these high-level tasks into smaller, more manageable work packages, ensuring clear responsibilities and timeframes, which can significantly increase the likelihood of successful project completion (Kerzner, 2017). Use of a structured WBS not only enhances project clarity but also provides a framework for monitoring progress and controlling costs effectively (Project Management Institute, 2017).

Constructing the WBS for a hot dog stand involves hierarchical decomposition of tasks, starting with the major deliverables necessary to establish the business. The top level includes the project goal—launching the hot dog stand—while subsequent levels break down into detailed activities. For instance, under site selection, tasks include researching potential locations, visiting sites, evaluating foot traffic, and negotiating lease agreements. Similarly, marketing efforts involve designing branding, developing advertising campaigns, and planning promotional events. According to PMI (2017), creating a comprehensive WBS enables project managers to assign responsibilities, estimate durations, and allocate budgets effectively. Incorporating peer-reviewed research emphasizes that a properly developed WBS contributes to project success by fostering clear communication and detailed planning, which are essential for managing uncertainties and risks (Mir, 2015). In my own experience managing a university event, establishing a detailed WBS was instrumental in coordinating multiple vendors and stakeholders, ultimately leading to a successful event that adhered to budget and schedule constraints.

References

  • Carstens, D., Richardson, G., & Smith, R. (2020). Project management tools and techniques: A practical guide (2nd ed.). CRC Press.
  • Kerzner, H. (2017). Project management: A systems approach to planning, scheduling, and controlling. John Wiley & Sons.
  • Project Management Institute. (2017). A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK® Guide) (6th ed.). PMI.
  • Mir, F. A. (2015). Impact of Work Breakdown Structure on Project Planning and Success. International Journal of Advanced Research in Computer Science and Software Engineering, 5(4), 29–33.
  • Williams, T. (2016). Assessing and managing project risks: Essential skill for project managers. Project Management Journal, 47(2), 34–48.
  • Harrison, F. (2018). Strategic Planning for Projects: Implementing Organizational Strategy. Harvard Business Review.
  • Leach, L. P. (2014). Critical chain project management. Artech House.
  • Söderlund, J. (2019). Managing Projects in a Dynamic World: A Review of Research and Practice. International Journal of Project Management, 37(2), 196–208.
  • Meredith, J. R., & Mantel, S. J. (2017). Project management: A managerial approach. Wiley.
  • Schwalbe, K. (2018). Information technology project management. Cengage Learning.

Related Assignments