WBS and Network Diagram - Assignment Example

WBS and Network Diagram Work Breakdown Structure (SWBS) 1.0 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 Level 1 1.7 1.8 1.9 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 Level 2 2.7 2.8 2.9 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 3.6 LEVEL 3 3.7 3.8 3.9 4.0 Work breakdown structure is project management tool that indicates how the work to be executed is broken down into small manageable task. The work breakdown structure indicates not only how the task are divided but also how the various task are allotted to various individuals as well as how resources are allocated to each task in the hierarchy. For instance, it indicates the time and financial resources that would be required to execute a particular task more efficiently and effectively. Normally, work beak down structure involve some deliverables, this is actually the task that is allotted to operation team who are expected to deliver the final output. Normally, work breakdown structure comprises of certain elements such as account code and a package of work. An account code is usually a numerical figure designated to identify each task in the work breakdown structure. On the other hand, package code entails an item that indicates how the project may be subdivided into small manageable task (Meredith & Mantel, 2012). Therefore, work breakdown structure has both advantages and disadvantages. Among the advantages include; it help the project managers to obtain the support of other employees so as they can direct their efforts towards achieving organisation goals and objectives within the schedule time. Additionally, it helps to ensure that the resources are allocated optimally to each activity and hence avoiding over or under allocation. Further, the work breakdown structure helps to define the project scope which further help at ensuring that only the planned task are executed within the schedule time and with available resources. On the contrary, work breakdown structure tend to posses some limitations, among those limitations include; it require project managers to have extensive knowledge of the project to be scheduled, failure to have this project may not be scheduled. Larger projects have more deliverables and hence it may be time consuming and costly to schedule. Its complex and time consuming to prepare work breakdown structures. The diagram below indicates a work breakdown structure for the task of software development (Meredith & Mantel, 2012). Gantt chart A Gantt chart is a tool in project management that helps the users and project managers to view clearly the activities/task being undertaken as well as time that each activity is consuming. The left side of the chart indicates the list of activities that need to be accomplishing in order to accomplish the overall project goals on timely basis. The activities in the Gantt chart tend to be presented using a bar whereby, the rage in which one bar from the other are separated. This helps to indicates duration of each task. Therefore, Gantt chart is a useful tool for monitoring project performance and progress. For example, it helps project managers to see the activities that need to be executed before the deadline. It also helps to show the onset and the end of each project as well as resource requirement for each activity. Further, Gantt chart indicates a point where there is overlapping of activities and the extent in which such activities are overlapping each other. In addition, Gantt chart helps to allocate resources more efficiently such that the overall project cost can be substantially minimized. Through Gantt it is possible to minimize overutilization of available resources because Gantt chart help to ensure that there is optimal allocation of resources. In addition, it help project managers to prioritize the most urgent and critical activities so that the deadline can be met effectively without having some incomplete task by the end of the project. This means that project managers who tend to be involved in execution of more sophisticated and complex activities tend to be encouraged to utilize Gantt chart in order to obtain the optimal project outcomes. Project managers may utilize the two types of Gantt charts used in project management. The first type is called task-oriented Gantt chart. This chart provide a presentation of task inform or a row whereby, dependencies between task may be scrutinized. On the contrary is the resource oriented Gantt chart. This chart displays the amount of resources required in a row format whereby, the resources requirements for activity are Cleary displayed. The diagram above indicates the time oriented Gantt chart (the actual design is on the MS project worksheet attached). The chart displays the task of developing software’s as well as time consumed in developing the software (Sanghera, 2008). Network diagram The diagram above indicates the network diagram (the actual diagram has been attached on the ms project works sheet). Normally, a network diagram entails a project management tool that displays the sequences of activities that need to be accomplishing by the end of project. The network diagram further indicates the critical activities which fall within the critical path. Despite having the above benefits, network diagrams tend to have some limitations. Among its limitations include; it is expensive to design and develop since it consumes a lot of time and financial resource. Further, it requires project managers to have undergone via rigorous training so that they can have a sound understanding on how to prepare effective network diagrams. In addition, network diagrams may not make sense to most people because they are difficult to be understood b y non-project management professionals. However, network diagrams have proved to be a very vital tool for project management because it help to subdivided work into manageable task that can easily be executed (Meredith & Mantel, 2012). References Meredith, J. R., & Mantel, S. J. (2012). Project management: A managerial approach. Hoboken, NJ: Wiley. Sanghera, P. (2008). Fundamentals of effective program management: A process approach based on the global standard. Ft. Lauderdale, Fl: J. Ross Pub. Read More