WBS Scheduale

Create an initial Work Breakdown Structure for your Final Project. At this point, you will only need to create the task names, task structure, and task numbers. The other columns defined in the template will be used in forthcoming unit assignments.

Assignment Requirements

Note – You will use the appropriately named template – the WBS – Schedule Template Included in attachments.

Using information obtained from your research and from extending the scenario in an imaginative direction to add detail, you will begin to plan your project. You will develop your Work Breakdown Structure. See below for some detail on the meaning and information contained within this document. At this point, only the actual tasks (name, description and number) but none of the other spreadsheet columns are required. In Unit 4, you will expand each task to include assignment of people, task duration, planned start and end dates. Future units will require more detail and additional columns.

Create the Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) – The document provides a hierarchical representation of your project. You will determine every task needed to complete your project in advance of starting actual work. Plan first; then execute against the plan.
The WBS is an essential project management tool. This is the 500-foot view. More detail will be added in subsequent project management activities and documents and is reflected in upcoming unit assignments.

A work package is the lowest level of a WBS. This is the level where assignments, estimates, and resources are easily determined. It does not matter whether the WBS has three levels or five levels; the lowest level in either case is considered the work package level.

Note – Precise assignments, estimates, and resources are not included in this level at this time. You will use your WBS in later units to complete a more detailed task list with status and project task schedule / timeline. For now, we are only interested in the task names, sub task names, descriptions, and that tasks are grouped at appropriate levels. All sub tasks (work package level) should be fully identified. You will complete the rest of the information in this template as part of Unit 4 assignment.

Work Packages will include broad estimates of man hours needed to accomplish. The work packages will not include sub-projects for this project. Sub-projects will be milestones or deliverables only. Your work package level should be at level 3 or 4 for this project.

Once properly detailed, the WBS – Schedule provides all the direction needed for project execution. You will use it in every unit to plan to control and monitor you project. It is the PRIMARY tool you have in PM.

The project documents are shown to and referenced at the highest level of the organization. In order for your project to be successful, these documents will need to be formatted in a business professional manner. They will be complete consistent, clear and concise.