University Magazine Project Analysis - Essay Example

The estimated time frame for the project activities requires adopting two approaches - top-down estimates and bottom-up estimates (Gray and Larson, 2002). The top-down estimates effectively help in the initial development of the project whereas the bottom-up estimates assist in establishing low-cost and efficient methods. The new project has also looked into past projects similar to it and has compared the time and cost estimates as well as analyzed the reflected differences. The allocated time frame is appropriate for the new project.                                                    

The university magazine project uses the CPA (Critical Path Analysis) table to plan it systematically and successfully.

The project manager (PM) should depend on the shortest time. This will make him organize and systematize activities for a successful and early completion of the project. Besides, coordination among the people in the project is important and the PM should motivate his team for it.

Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) defines the work scope and identifies the details of the project. The framework is a top-down model that clearly describes all activities.

Both CPA and WBS frameworks are important for a project. However, WBS as a top-down model can assess only from the top management point of view that may ignore activities happening at lower levels. However, CPA is adequate in detailing the activities. The circle and arrow diagram also aptly shows the project details.

Organization Breakdown Structure (OBS) identifies and organizes resources responsible for carrying out necessary activities in the project.

Scope: To segment the project into smaller units.
Context: To plan and schedule the project appropriately.
Significance: WBS, OBS and CPA are essential frameworks that help the project manager to explain to people involved in the project about the project details. It is the responsibility of the project management team under the PM to do a WBS or CPA.

The University magazine project contains top-down and bottom-up approaches for identifying and organizing the project activities. The CPA framework studied the critical issues of the project and prioritized the tasks accordingly. WBS and OBS frameworks are adopted to break the project down into smaller segments.

The University magazine project adopts CPA, WBS and OBS tools for proper planning and scheduling. These tools divide the project into different smaller segments, which results in speedy development of the project. The new project is expected to update the standard of the university magazine to a new level.

Project activities:
- Forming work groups.
- Task distribution.
- Collecting articles.
- Collecting group photos.
- Selection of articles.

Time estimation:
- Allocated time for selection of articles - 3 days.
- Collecting group photos - 2 days.
- Task distribution - 1 day.
- Duration of collecting articles - 2 weeks.

Project design:
- Task analysis - CPA framework.
- Task evaluation - WBS and OBS tools.

The primary activities of the project have been completed according to the allocated time frame. The tools including CPA, WBS and OBS were quite helpful in identifying the critical issues of the project and scheduling it accordingly. Above all, what made the University magazine project successful was the amazing coordination observed among the people involved in the project.

The foundation of a project plan is the definition of its work scope. WBS and OBS techniques can aptly define the work scope of a project. CPA is significant for recognizing the critical or non-critical issues of the project and prioritizing the tasks accordingly. Coordination between project resources and other workforces is also significant.