Q : Based on the Figure 6.4,6.5 and 6.6 What are the benefits and decisions Project managers can take?
Note: The answer should be based on the information in the picture and your own work.
Transcribed Image Text: ACTIVITY PLAN
Delverables
Measurels) of accompishment
Key constrants and assumptons
.
ESTIMATED
RESOURCES
BAME DIATE
PREDECESSO
TASKS
ESTIMATED
TIME
DURATIONS)
TASKS
ASSIGNED TO
FIGURE 6.4 A form to assist hierarchical planning.
The Work Breakdown Structure
Using this hierarchical planning process results in a work breakdown structure known as a
WBS. The WBS is the main tool for managing the project scope as described in PMBOK.
The WBS is not one thing. It can take a wide variety of forms that, in turn, serve a wide
variety of purposes. In many ways, the WBS is a simplified form of the project plan focused
on the actual tasks of the project. It often shows the organizational elements associated
with a project subdivided into hierarchical units of tasks, subtasks, work packages, etc.
Figure 6.5 is such a WBS for a conference. The Food group in the Facilities staff has
responsibility for meals and drinks, including coffee breaks and water pitchers in the
conference rooms. Five different food functions are shown, each presumably broken down
into more detailed tasks. In this case, the account numbers for each task are shown so that
proper charges can be assigned for each piece of work done on the project.
Professor Andrew Vazsonyi has called this type of diagram a Gozinto chart, after the
famous Italian mathematician Prof. Zepartzat Gozinto (of Vazsonyi's invention). Readers
will recognize the parallel to the basic organizational chart depicting the formal structure of
an organization, or the Bill of Materials in a Materials Requirements Planning (MRP) system.
Another form of the WBS is an outline with the top organizational (Level 1) tasks on the left
and successive levels appropriately indented. Most current project management software will
generate a WBS on command. Microsoft's Project", for example, links the indented activity
levels with a Gantt chart that visually shows the activity durations at any level.
In general, the WBS is an important document and can be tailored for use in a number
of different ways. It may illustrate how each piece of the project contributes to the whole in
terms of performance, responsibility, budget, and schedule. It may, if the PM wishes, list
the vendors or subcontractors associated with specific tasks. It may be used to document
that all parties have signed off on their various commitments to the project. It may note
detailed specifications for any work package, establish account numbers, specify hardware/
software to be used, and identify resource needs. It may serve as the basis for making cost
estimates or estimates of task duration. Largely, the WBS is a planning tool, but it may also
be used as an aid in monitoring and controlling projects. Again. it is important to remember
PMBOK
5.4
Leveis
Careeson
Frtertuonvet
Lecatan
Paite
(12.00.000
Smsione
(1400.00
(15.00.d
Tes
Rates
Ses
Dutes
Fend
Budng
Home
1.00 (1.2.0 (1201 c0 (12.00.00 (12m0)
Types
Pap
Pan
Local
Cattee
braa
12.02.01)
Bretast
12.02.00)
Lundhes
Dasers
(12.00.04
Drnks
(12 2 05
FIGURE S.S Work hreakdowe stracture (account sumbers shown).
that no single WBS contains all of the elements described and any given WBS shouald be
designed with specific uses in mind. Its uses are limited only by the needs of the project and
the imagination of the PM. No one version of the WBS will sauit all needs, so the WBS is
not a document, but any given WBS is simply one of many passible documents.
However, in constructing the WBS, all work package information should be reviewed
with the individals or organizations who have responsibility for doing or supporting the
wurk in onder to verify the WBS's accuracy. Resource requirements, schedules, and subtask
relationships can now be aggregated to form the next higher level of the WBS, continuing on
to each succeeding level of the hierarchy. At the uppermost level, we have a summary of the
project, its budget, and an estimate of the duration of each work element. For the moment,
we are ignoring uncertainty in estimating the budget and duration af work elements.
As we noted, the actual form the WBS takes is not sacrosanct. Figure 6.6 shows a
partial WBS for a college "Cureer Day." which includes the activities, who is respon-
sible, the time each task is expected to take, which tasks must precede each task, and
any external resources needed for that task. However, not all elements of the WBS shown
in Figure 6.6 may be needed in other cases. In some cases, for example, the amoants of
specific resources required may not be relevant. In others, "due dates" may be substituted
for activity durations. The appearance of a WBS will probably differ in different organiza-
tions. In some plans, numbers may be used to identify activities; in others, letters. In still
others, combinations of letters and numbers may be used. An example of a WBS t0 acquire
a subsidiary is illustrated in Figures 6.7a and 6.7b. A verbal "WBS" was written in the form
of a memorandum, Figure 6.7a, and was followed by the more common, tabular plan shown
in Figure 6.7b. Only one page of a five-page plan is shown. The individuals and groups
mentioned developed similar plans at a greater level of detail. (Names have been changed
at the request of the firm.)
Transcribed Image Text: WBS
Career Day
Time
Steps
Responsibility
(weeks)
Prec.
Resources
1. Contact Organizations
a. Print forms
Secrelary
6.
Print shop
b. Contact organizations
Program manager
Word processing
15
1.a
c. Collect display information
Olice manager
4
1.b
d. Gather college particulars
Secretary
4
1.b
c. Print programs
Secretary
1.d
Print shop
f. Print participants' certificates
Graduate assistant
8
Print shop
2. Banquet and Refreshments
a. Select guest speaker
Program manager
14
b. Organize food
Program manager
1.b
Caterer
c. Organize liquor
Director
10
1.6
Dept. of Liquor Control
d. Organize refreshments
Graduate assistant
1.b
Purchasing
3. Publicity and Promotion
a. Send invitations
Graduate assistant
Word processing
b. Organize gift certificates
Graduate assistant
5.5
c. Arrange banner
Graduate assistant
Print shop
5
1.d
d. Contact faculty
Program manager
1.5
1.d
Word processing
e. Advertise in college paper
Secretary
5
I.d
Newspaper
f. Class announcements
Graduate assistant
1
3.d
Registrar's officc
g. Organize posters
Secretary
4.5
1.d
Print shop
4. Facilities
a. Arrange facility for event
Program manager
2.5
1.c
b. Transport materials
Office manager
.5
4.a
Movers
FIGURE 6.6 Partial WBS for college "Career Day."
Occasionally, planners attempt to plan by using “Gantt charts," a network device com-
monly used to display project schedules (see Figure 6.8). The Gantt chart was invented as
a scheduling aid. In essence, the project's activities are shown on a horizontal bar chart
with the horizontal bar lengths proportional to the activity durations. The activity bars
are connected to predecessor and successor activities with arrows. The project schedule
integrates the many different schedules relevant to the various parts of the project. It is
comprehensive and may include contractual commitments, key interfaces and sequencing,
milestone events, and progress reports. In addition, a time contingency reserve for