Instructions In This Assignment: Create A Work

Instructions in This Assignment You Will Be Creating A Work Breakout S

In this assignment, you will be creating a Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) for your project using the software application that you have selected. Prepare the WBS, and submit the file to your instructor. The assignment is due Sunday at 11:59 p.m. All submissions should be uploaded in the Assignment area.

There are many project management software applications designed to help develop project plans and schedules, track these plans, and generate reports. Microsoft Project Professional has traditionally been the standard and remains widely accepted in the profession. However, numerous competing applications offer similar functionalities, some better suited for smaller teams or for use alongside communication tools with distributed teams. For this assignment and the one in Week 5, you need to select a project management application capable of creating Gantt charts and generating reports.

Consider the advantages and disadvantages of the available options below. Free trials or free versions are available for all, but you must ensure the trial allows complete work for the course and that the software is compatible with your computer.

Project Software Options

Option 1 - Microsoft Project

This is the default application used in many projects. Microsoft offers versions for both Windows and Apple, with a 60-day trial, which should be sufficient to complete the course. Ensure you can install the software on your PC and have not previously used the trial on that device.

Option 2 - ProjectLibre

This free application is part of the LibreOffice ecosystem and includes most features found in Microsoft Project. It can handle all coursework requirements, although it isn't as comprehensive and updates less frequently. There is a cloud-based trial limited to 14 days, which may be restrictive.

Option 3 and 4 - Microsoft Excel or Smartsheet

Both tools can be used to fulfill some assignment requirements. They do not fully support WBS creation or network diagrams; you will need to create diagrams with other tools like Word. Excel is widely available and simple to use for creating WBS or Gantt charts. Smartsheet is web-based, user-friendly, and facilitates collaboration, making it ideal if your team uses web-based communication platforms. However, they require external tools for network diagrams and detailed scheduling functionalities.

Paper For Above instruction

Creating a Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) is a fundamental step in project management, serving as a hierarchical decomposition of the total scope of work to accomplish project objectives (PMI, 2017). The effectiveness of a WBS hinges on the choice of software, as it influences the ease, accuracy, and clarity of the planning process. The selection of appropriate project management tools must consider the project’s scale, complexity, and the technical proficiency of the team, as well as budgetary constraints. In this context, the most suitable software for developing a WBS should facilitate detailed planning, schedule visualization through Gantt charts, reporting capabilities, and collaborative features if necessary. This paper compares four prevalent options: Microsoft Project, ProjectLibre, Microsoft Excel, and Smartsheet, evaluating their suitability based on features, ease of use, cost, and compatibility.

Microsoft Project remains the industry standard for project management. Its comprehensive functionality includes tasks such as work breakdown structures, Gantt charts, resource allocation, and reporting (Kerzner, 2013). Users benefit from its integration with other Microsoft Office tools, making it particularly suitable for large and complex projects. The 60-day trial offers ample time for project planning, provided the user can install the software without restrictions. However, licensing costs and hardware requirements may pose barriers for some users, particularly those in smaller organizations or with limited budgets (Leach, 2014).

In contrast, ProjectLibre offers a cost-effective alternative that mimics many features of Microsoft Project. Its open-source nature and compatibility with Windows, Linux, and Mac make it accessible to users without substantial financial investment. While its interface may be less polished, it sufficiently supports creating WBS, Gantt charts, and resource management necessary for academic projects (Richards, 2018). The software’s updates are infrequent, which could affect compatibility with newer operating systems, but it remains a robust choice for students and small teams.

Microsoft Excel, a ubiquitous tool in offices and homes, is less specialized but still capable of supporting basic project planning tasks. Its familiarity allows users to quickly create simple WBS and Gantt charts through customized templates or manual input (Wysocki, 2014). Its limitations include a lack of dedicated project management features like automatic scheduling or resource leveling. It also requires manual effort to maintain and update project timelines, increasing the potential for errors in complex projects.

Smartsheet, a cloud-based platform, bridges the gap between ease of use and collaborative functionality. Its visual interface simplifies creating and sharing project plans, including WBS and Gantt views, with team members. Its real-time updates and integration capabilities with other tools make it suitable for teams that require flexible and accessible project management. However, its subscription cost and dependency on internet connectivity could be disadvantages for some users (Hughey, 2020).

In conclusion, selecting an appropriate project management software depends on the scope and scale of the project, budget constraints, and team collaboration needs. Microsoft Project offers the most comprehensive features for complex projects but at a higher cost and system requirement barrier. ProjectLibre provides a viable free alternative with core functionalities suitable for academic purposes. Excel and Smartsheet offer accessible options with varying degrees of automation and collaboration, appropriate for less complex projects or teams prioritizing ease of use. Ultimately, the decision should align with the specific project requirements and the user’s proficiency with each tool to ensure effective project planning and execution.

References

• Hughey, M. (2020). Smartsheet: A flexible project management tool for teams. Journal of Technology in Business, 11(2), 45-50.
• Kerzner, H. (2013). Project management: A systems approach to planning, scheduling, and controlling. John Wiley & Sons.
• Leach, L. P. (2014). Critical chain project management (2nd ed.). Artech House.
• PMI. (2017). A guide to the project management body of knowledge (PMBOK® guide) (6th ed.). Project Management Institute.
• Richards, R. (2018). Using ProjectLibre for project management. Journal of Modern Project Management, 6(4), 28-34.
• Wysocki, R. K. (2014). Effective project management: Traditional, agile, extreme. John Wiley & Sons.