Project Milestone: Work Breakdown Structure
This activity will enable you to apply what you will learn during this course. You will complete a term project that requires you to define the scope of a project, project charter, project plan, budget, and project schedule. You will also undertake a risk analysis for this project. You should use the models in the textbook as examples to complete a detailed document for each assignment.
This term project is broken down into various parts that are due throughout the course. You will use all comments provided from the instructor as well as feedback and learning from the discussion board to complete a final integrated project plan, which includes the individual assignments. The final product is due in Module 7.
You may construct the elements of your project using Microsoft Word and Excel, or you may use Microsoft Project. You will be able to download the full version of Microsoft Project as part of the MSDN Academic Alliance (also known as Azure). You will receive an e-mail with details about this software within the first two weeks of the course. It is also possible to complete the project for this course using the Microsoft Office suite or the Apache Open Office Suite. Students who desire to use Microsoft Project will find instructions within the course to Help them in learning this optional tool.
In Module 1, you selected your Project Topic. Referring to your submission and any comments for improvement from your instructor, you will create a Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) for your project. To create a WBS, you must first succinctly define the project’s scope including deliverables and technical requirements. Create and include the elements below in the order listed, as these documents will be important as you create a WBS.
• From the project topic document you submitted and incorporating any suggestions for improvement from your instructor, craft a project scope for your project. Your text has examples in Chapter 4. Include the following elements in the Scope Statement (this should be no more than two (2) pages:
◦ Name of your Project (from your Module 1 submission)
◦ Dates of Project (in month, day, year or mm/dd/yyyy format)
◦ Budget for project (use a $ to denote all monetary values in your project)
◦ Project objective (what your project will accomplish – briefly stated)
◦ Deliverables (measurable outputs from your project that occur over the life of the project)
◦ Milestones (significant events in your project)
◦ Technical Requirements (specific to your project)
◦ Limits and Exclusions (this is standard in all projects and they include limits to the project scope such as “fitness for use” statements)
◦ Review and agreement with customer (this is completed in a meeting and ends with all parties signing the document if they agree to its contents)
• Using the elements of the Project Scope Statement, create a WBS. This can be a simple hierarchical diagram created using the shapes in Microsoft Word, the shapes in Microsoft Visio (free in DreamSpark/MSDNAA), or using Microsoft Project. As this is a professional submission, free-hand drawings are not permitted.
Write a 1–2 page paper in Word format for your Project Scope Statement. Include a Work Breakdown Structure (size will vary – this is a high-level document, but it is based on the size of the objects and the size of the font selected could vary) of no more than 1–3 pages. Combine both documents into a single document with the Scope Statement first and the Work Breakdown Structure immediately after it on a new page spanning as many pages as necessary. Use the American Psychological Association (APA) style (most current edition) for writing your assignment.
Compose your work in a .doc or .docx file type using a word processor (such as Microsoft Word, etc.) and save it frequently to your computer. For those assignments that are not written essays and require uploading images or PowerPoint slides, please follow uploading guidelines provided by your instructor.
Check your work and correct any spelling or grammatical errors. When you are ready to submit your work, click “Submit Assignment” in the upper right corner. Click on “Browse,” browse your computer, and select your file. Click “Open” and verify the correct file name has appeared next to the Browse button. Enter your comments, if any, in the Comments area. Click on “Submit Assignment.”
Assessment
This assignment will be graded using the rubric displayed below. Please review this rubric prior to beginning your work. You can also access the rubric on the Course Rubrics page within the Start Here module. The term project assignments make up 20% of the total course grade.
Rubric
M3A1
M3A1
Criteria Ratings Pts
45 pts
40 pts
15 pts
Total Points: 100
45 pts
Exemplary
Information about the project’s scope is described in detail, including the name, dates, budget, objectives, deliverables, milestones, technical requirements, limits and exclusions, and a section with customer acceptance. 34 pts
Satisfactory
Information about the project’s scope is generally described, including the name, dates, budget, objectives, deliverables, milestones, technical requirements, limits and exclusions, and a section with customer acceptance. Information provided is relevant and important in building the WBS, though more details are needed to fill in gaps. 26 pts
Minimally Responsive
Information about the project’s scope is briefly described, with important details vague or missing. More information is needed on the name, dates, budget, objectives, deliverables, milestones, technical requirements, limits and exclusions, and a section with customer acceptance. 0 pts
Unacceptable
A WBS is submitted but necessary sections are hardly described, if at all.
This criterion is linked to a Learning Outcome
Description and Details of the Proposed Project
40 pts
Exemplary
The WBS is complete, (i.e., all sections are present) well organized, concise, and clear. The diagram is appropriate and most effective at conveying meaning. Only important and necessary information is included, and is presented in an interesting and creative way, that is easy to follow and interpret. 32 pts
Satisfactory
The WBS is complete. The diagram is appropriate and conveys meaning. Only important and necessary information is included, and is presented in an easy to follow and interpret way. 24 pts
Minimally Responsive
The WBS has a general structure. However, the organization and clarity are lacking, or some sections are missing. Only important and necessary information is included, but is presented in ways that lack clarity. Reorganization of information may make it easier to follow and interpret. 0 pts
Unacceptable
The WBS is incomplete with major sections missing. The diagram is confusing and overwhelming.
This criterion is linked to a Learning Outcome
Writing Quality
15 pts
Exemplary
The writing is well organized and clear; there are minimal problems with spelling, punctuation, and grammar; dollar signs are used to denote monetary values and dates are formatted consistently throughout. 12 pts
Satisfactory
There are few problems with organization, clarity or conventions that should have been fixed. Minor errors are found (i.e., dollar signs or the data format may not always be consistently used). These problems and errors, however, are not serious enough to distract the reader. 6 pts
Minimally Responsive
Numerous mechanical errors are distracting; and organization of ideas are lacking, but not enough to interfere with meaning. The use of dollar signs and date formats are inconsistently used throughout. 0 pts
Unacceptable
Frequent problems with organization, clarity and/or conventions make the paper hard to read. This is little to no use of dollar signs or the date format, where appropriate.
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Work Breakdown Structure is a project milestone.
This assignment will allow you to put what you’ve learned so far into practice. You’ll finish a term project in which you’ll define the project’s scope, project charter, project plan, budget, and timetable. For this project, you will also conduct a risk assessment. To write a thorough paper for each assignment, you should utilize the models in the textbook as examples.
This term project is divided into several components, each of which is due at different times throughout the semester. To prepare a final integrated project plan, which covers the separate assignments, you will use all of the instructor’s remarks, as well as feedback and learning from the discussion board. Module 7 is when the final product is due.
