According to the PMBOK, "the WBS is a deliverable-oriented hierarchical decomposition of work to be performed by the project team, to achieve the project aims and make the required deliverables." In other words, it lists the tasks, the sub-tasks, the sub-sub-tasks, etc., for project.
For this phase, you will make a Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) for the project you selected throughout Phase One. Remember that the WBS starts with your major deliverables (which you stated in your Scope Management Plan) at highest level. The lower levels have the tasks needed to complete those deliverables. You must have at least three tasks under each deliverable; however you might have as many tasks as needed to make sure that the deliverables are complete. Review the textbook (and the PMBOK, if you have it) for some suggestions on how best to make a WBS. From your work breakdown structure, build up a project task list with dependencies. Add durations. Then submit a network diagram (using MS Project) and a project schedule.
Develop the Work Breakdown Structure
- Your WBS must have a minimum of 25-30 tasks and be three subtasks deep.
- Make sure to use verb/object task names (for example, "Develop software").
- Enter tasks in MS Project.
- Make the predecessor relationships to create a network diagram.
- DO NOT LINK SUMMARY TASKS!
- In the Gantt Chart Tools tab, check the box marked "Outline Number" in the Show/Hide group.
Deliverables:
- In MS Project, print the following:
- Gantt Chart Entry Table on no more than the three pages [View > Tables > Entry]
- Comprise Task Name, Duration, Start, Finish, and Predecessor columns with Gantt Chart.
- Schedule Table on one page [View > Tables > Schedule]
- Comprise only the default columns (Task Mode, Task Name, Start, Finish, Late Start, Late Finish, Free Slack, and Total Slack) and do not include the Gantt Chart. Make sure that all columns are wide enough to read completely.
- Network Diagram on one page [Task tab > View group > Network Diagram]
- Highlight Critical Path and Circle Milestones.
- Justify why you select your milestones. (Hint: use milestones from the scope statement or look for key merge or burst activities.)
- Also print out the network diagram on two to three pages so that task information can be read.
- Using the Resource Sheet (View > Resource Sheet) develop and print a list of resources required for your project. Include Max.Units and Costs (Std. Rate, Ovt. Rate, Cost/Use).
- If working in a group, include a statement of participation, describing how each person contributed to this project deliverable. Please have each person sign the statement.