Question

What differentiates a list of project requirements from a work breakdown structure (WBS)?

What is the importance of developing a WBS to manage a project?

How does the WBS contribute to the success of a project?

Once the project schedule is finalized, what are the tools you can use to monitor the schedule? How do you handle resource over allocation?

What are the advantages and disadvantages of fast-tracking a project?

Answer 1

What differentiates a list of project requirements from a Work Breakdown Structure (WBS)?

                The project requirements basically outline and explain the most vital steps necessary for creating any project regardless of size. The aspect behind it is that it is driven around the fact of being focused entirely on the user’s needs. With that being said without utilizing requirement tools, the project managers and other crucial parties involved would not know what to expect or what to plan. Most view it as once the basic requirements are outlined and presented to the project team and everyone has a general understanding of the concepts needed, it is then that they would move forward to the planning phase. Project requirements are very similar to the Work Breakdown Structure and quite frankly they are almost the same exact thing. The largest difference here is the WBS is much more defined and detailed. There is more of a focus and driven aspect of the decomposition of project phases, levels, and certain deliverables. It also displays a list of related activities with major milestones and methods to monitor the overall project success.

What is the importance of developing a WBS to manage a project?

                The level of importance to some people can mean a variety of different things. When we look at the importance of developing a Work Breakdown Structure that level of importance sky rockets. The work breakdown Structure in a way itemizes all the necessary tasks into smaller more manageable segments that the entire project team can comprehend. The way I view it is pretty straight forward the WBS allows for not only the project manager but the team as a whole to be the most efficient and stick to the plan of the project schedule. It also essentially minimizes the overall activities, when the tasks are broken down as mentioned before this allows for those key personnel like the project manager to better manage and track the overall progress.

How does the WBS contribute to the success of a project?

In terms of contribution towards project success the WBS does a couple different things. One it outlines all of the necessary requirements that are need to be fulfilled. What this does is force the project manager to plan everything from scheduling to cost and timelines. This naturally produces a solid working plan which helps guarantee that the planning is consistent, all communication is inline, and execution will maintain positive forward progress. It ultimately helps alleviate the more strenuous activities by breaking down those tasks into much more manageable project packages, while at the same time allowing for thorough monitoring measures to be set in place ensuring all tasks are completed as expected.

Once the project schedule is finalized, what are the tools you can use to control the program?

                There are a variety of tools than can be utilized the two most common are the PERT and the Gantt chart. Gantt charts are driven around the breakdown and display of calendar period tasks and assignments, which could be broken down by days, weeks, or even months. What it does is outline the start time and essentially displays a lapse in time for the completion of each individual task for the entire project. It is ideal for tracking progression and keeping the project management team in line with any potential errors or potential disruptions within the project. PERT or better known as Program Evaluation review technique is a little different. It is designed to be a planning and control tool that helps identify and define the overall management of tasks that are necessary to complete a project. It goes in a similar fashion as this starting with outline specific activities and milestones, then determine proper sequence, construct a network diagram, estimate time for each activity, determine the critical path, update on all progress. Both of these charts are valuable assets to any project.

How do you handle over allocated resources?

                Determining methods in regards to handling over allocated resources can be challenging but not impossible. As a project manager one of the most critical aspects that can pose challenges is over allocated resources. So every little aspect of the schedule must be completed correctly in order to avoid taking excess time within the project team’s effectiveness. There are few different methods to avoid over allocated resources. One being leveling the resources which essentially means identifying any areas that could cause problems. Two prioritizing the project as a whole this allows for more leveled pressures across the parties involved. Three, leaving enough time between tasks to avoid any overlapping causing budget issues. Four, just ultimately being knowledgeable about resource management and trying to stay on the right track at all times.

What are the advantages and disadvantages to fast-tracking a project?

                Fast tracking a project always poses the possibility of problems arising at multiple different times throughout the project. You run the risk of the project teams not having enough resources, or even credible management that’s capable of staying on target with assigned task and moving the project forward. The only real advantage I see with fast tracking a project is the obvious of completing it earlier or meeting the initial deadline. For me fast tracking just leaves to many risky variables at stake. You run the risk of having ineffective process forcing you back into the planning phase which ultimately throws off the entire timeline. It can cause incomplete or half complete project steps as the team will feel rushed with the condensed suspense date. All in all one of these mistakes can have serious long term consequences for the organization or the project managers involved.

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