Week 8 Assignment: Project Proposal, WBS, And Project Schedu

Week 8 Assignment Project Proposal Wbs And Project Scheduleovervie

Week 8 Assignment - Project Proposal: WBS and Project Schedule Overview In the assignment due in Week 5, you defined key portions of your project. Now, it is time to develop a work breakdown structure (WBS) and project schedule for your project. Note: Please use your project from the Week 5 assignment to complete this assignment. For this assignment, you will create Work Breakdown Structure (WBS). To create your WBS, you may use MS Word, MS Excel, Visio, or any other visual format that allows for graphical elements to be included. (See Figure 4.4 from Chapter 4 of your Project Management: The Managerial Process textbook).

Alternatively, you may use a coded format using MS Word. (See Exhibit 4.1 – Coding the WBS from Chapter 4 of your Project Management: The Managerial Process textbook as an example. The example is in MS Project format, but the same could be done in MS Excel). Instructions Each of the following should be included in your WBS submission: 1. Create a WBS which contains graphical elements of the project scope including project, major deliverables, and supporting deliverables. WBS should be easy to read and contain consistent formatting throughout. 2. Create a depiction of the project within the WBS. • One Level 1 is provided describing the complete project. • Three Level 2s are provided describing major deliverables. • Three Level 3s are provided describing supporting deliverables. • Two Level 4s providing the lowest manageable responsibility level. 3. For each of the identified deliverables (identified in the four levels from item #2), create a project schedule containing all activities from levels 1–4. Each activity should contain a start and end date and list resources required to complete the project. 4. Provide a minimum of three pieces of information that need to be communicated to stakeholders. For each of the three pieces—which creates an example of a project network— you should address who will be targeted; when they will receive the communication; what will be communicated; and how it will be communicated. The specific course learning outcome associated with this assignment is: • Develop a project plan including the critical elements of project scope, priorities, work breakdown structure (WBS), communication plan, and a project network to ensure effective implementation.

Paper For Above instruction

The development of a comprehensive Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) and detailed project schedule are critical elements in effective project management. Building upon the foundational work completed in Week 5, this paper elaborates on constructing a WBS that visually encapsulates the scope, major deliverables, supporting tasks, and responsible activities for the project. Additionally, the project schedule for each WBS component—detailing start and end dates along with resource allocation—will be outlined. Finally, an effective communication plan targeting key stakeholders will be proposed to ensure timely dissemination of essential project information, fostering transparency and coordination throughout project execution.

Constructing the Work Breakdown Structure (WBS)

The WBS functions as a hierarchical decomposition of the project scope into manageable sections, facilitating clarity and tracking. For this project, the WBS begins with a broad overview at Level 1, describing the complete project. Level 2 subdivisions delineate three major deliverables that form the core objectives. Under each major deliverable, Level 3 supporting deliverables further decompose the tasks necessary to achieve these outputs. At the most detailed level, Level 4, responsibility-focused activities are defined. Graphical tools such as MS Visio or Excel diagrams can be used to illustrate these relationships clearly, emphasizing consistency in formatting to avoid confusion.

For example, if the project involves developing a new software product, Level 1 might be "Software Development Project." Level 2 could include "Requirement Analysis," "Design and Prototyping," and "Implementation and Testing." Under "Requirement Analysis," Level 3 supporting deliverables may include "Stakeholder Interviews," "Requirements Documentation," and "Feasibility Study." Corresponding Level 4 activities detail tasks such as "Conduct Interviews," "Draft Requirements," and "Review Feasibility Reports." Such a structured breakdown ensures clarity in responsibilities and scope boundaries.

Project Schedule Development

For each element within the WBS, corresponding project activities are identified, with detailed scheduling. This involves assigning start and end dates for each task and ensuring resource allocation aligns with project timelines. For instance, "Stakeholder Interviews" might be scheduled to commence on March 1 and conclude by March 7, assigned to the Business Analyst team. In parallel, "Requirements Documentation" would begin immediately after the interviews and extend through March 15, with documentation specialists responsible. These schedules aid in tracking progress, identifying overlaps or dependencies, and adjusting timelines proactively.

An integrated project schedule derived from the WBS allows project managers to visualize the sequence of tasks, manage resource competition, and ensure timely delivery of components. Tools like MS Project or Excel Gantt charts can help visualize this timeline, providing stakeholders with a transparent view of project progression and deadlines.

Effective Communication Plan

Clear communication with stakeholders is essential for project success. The plan should specify what information will be shared, with whom, when, and through which channels. For example, progress updates regarding the "Design and Prototyping" phase might be targeted at the project team via weekly email reports on Mondays, detailing work completed, upcoming tasks, and issues encountered. Similarly, executive stakeholders might receive monthly summaries via formal presentations highlighting milestones reached and upcoming critical deadlines. The communication methods—such as email, virtual meetings, or formal reports—should be chosen based on stakeholder preferences and the urgency of information.

Three key pieces of information that are crucial to communicate include project milestones, risks and issues, and resource availability. Sharing milestone achievements keeps stakeholders motivated and informed of progress. Communicating risks early allows preemptive mitigation actions, while resource updates enable better planning for potential shortages. Employing multiple channels ensures these communications reach all relevant parties efficiently, fostering alignment and proactive problem-solving.

Conclusion

In summary, a detailed and graphical WBS, combined with a well-structured project schedule and strategic communication plan, forms the backbone of effective project management. These elements enable clear scope management, timely task execution, and stakeholder engagement, culminating in the successful delivery of project objectives. Integrating these components ensures transparency, accountability, and responsiveness—key factors for project success in complex environments.

References

• Project Management Institute. (2017). A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK® Guide) (6th ed.). PMI.