Week Two: Develop The Project Scope Statement And The Projec

2week Twoadevelop The Project Scope Statement And The Project Charte

Develop the project scope statement and the project charter. Construct the work breakdown structure (WBS) in Microsoft ® Project ® 2007. Design the communication plan by identifying key stakeholder groups and their project information needs. Create a table in Microsoft ® Word summarizing the information produced during the project lifecycle, including status and issues reports, target audience for each, timing of information availability, communication methods, and responsible parties.

Paper For Above instruction

Introduction

Effective project management lays the foundation for successful project delivery, ensuring alignment among stakeholders and clarity of scope, objectives, and communication strategies. Developing a comprehensive project scope statement, project charter, work breakdown structure (WBS), and communication plan is central to this process. This paper details the step-by-step development of these components, emphasizing their roles and integration within a project lifecycle, with practical application using Microsoft Project 2007 and Word.

Development of the Project Scope Statement and Project Charter

The project scope statement delineates the boundaries of the project, defining what is included and excluded, as well as the deliverables, constraints, and assumptions. It serves as a critical reference to manage stakeholder expectations and guide project execution. For example, if the project involves implementing a new IT system, the scope would specify functionalities to be developed, integration points, and operational environments, along with limitations such as budget or timeline constraints.

The project charter complements this by formally authorizing the project, establishing initial project parameters, and identifying key stakeholders, project managers, and sponsors. It summarizes the project’s purpose, objectives, high-level requirements, risks, and an initial timeline, serving as a formal agreement among stakeholders. Together, these documents set the strategic and operational groundwork for project planning and execution.

Constructing the Work Breakdown Structure (WBS)

The Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) decomposes the project into manageable sections or work packages, facilitating planning, scheduling, cost estimation, and resource allocation. Using Microsoft Project 2007, the WBS can be structured hierarchically, beginning with major deliverables and breaking those down into smaller, more detailed tasks. For a software development project, the top level might include Phases like Design, Development, Testing, and Deployment, with each phase subdivided into specific tasks such as UI design, coding sprints, unit testing, and user acceptance testing.

Microsoft Project 2007 enables visual representation and integration of the WBS with schedules, resource assignments, and budgets, increasing clarity and control throughout the project lifecycle. Properly developed WBS ensures comprehensive coverage of work, enhances communication, and provides a basis for progress tracking.

Designing the Communication Plan

An effective communication plan ensures that relevant information reaches the right stakeholders at the right time through appropriate channels. The first step involves identifying key stakeholder groups such as project sponsors, team members, end-users, and external partners. Their specific information needs vary; sponsors may require high-level status updates, while team members need detailed task instructions, and end-users need progress and training updates.

The communication plan table summarizes the following:

  • Type of information produced: Status reports, issues logs, risk updates, milestone achievements
  • Target audience: Senior management, project team, clients, regulatory bodies
  • Availability timeline: Weekly status reports, monthly review meetings, on-demand issue escalation
  • Communication methods: Email, project management software, meetings, reports, teleconferencing
  • Responsibility: Project manager oversees overall communication; team leads prepare reports; stakeholders receive updates as scheduled

This structured approach ensures transparency, stakeholder engagement, and timely issue resolution, facilitating cohesive project progress.

Conclusion

The development of the project scope statement, project charter, WBS, and communication plan creates a solid foundation for project management. Each element interlinks to enhance clarity, control, and stakeholder engagement. Utilizing tools like Microsoft Project 2007 and Word ensures precise planning, structured workflows, and effective communication, increasing the likelihood of delivering project objectives on time and within scope.

References

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  • Williams, T. (2018). Assessing and Managing Project Risk: Essential Methodology and Tools. AMACOM.
  • MS Press. (2007). Microsoft Office Project 2007 Step by Step. Microsoft Press.
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