Create a project scope statement and work breakdown structure for your project.
Introduction
Note: Developing a project requires specific steps that must be carried out in a certain order. Therefore, you must complete the assessments in this course in the order in which they are presented.
Project scoping and the work breakdown structure are critical early components of the project planning process group. A project’s success depends heavily upon them.
Read Assessment 2 Context [PDF] for an introduction to project scope and work breakdown structure.
Preparation
The following resources are required to complete the assessment.
• Scope Statement Template [DOCX].
As you prepare to complete this assessment, you may want to think about other related issues to deepen your understanding or broaden your viewpoint. You are encouraged to consider the questions below and discuss them with a fellow learner, a work associate, an interested friend, or a member of your professional community. Note that these questions are for your own development and exploration and do not need to be completed or submitted as part of your assessment.
When breaking down tasks, sometimes it is easy to forget a subtask or to not break the subtasks down far enough. In addition, once broken down, it is important to ensure that the smaller pieces are organized appropriately. Consider one of the tasks from your project using the WBS process:
• Is it broken down into the smallest manageable tasks and sequenced appropriately? Is there a risk to breaking down tasks too much?
• What project processes are likely to suffer the most for a poorly scoped project? Why? Is this true for all types of projects?
Overview
Project Scope
A project scope document defines and controls what is and is not included in a project. Scope definition involves dividing major deliverables into smaller, more manageable components. Remember, your scope statement forms the basis for agreement between the project and the project stakeholders by identifying both the project objectives and deliverables. This information can also be used to create a work breakdown structure and project schedule for the project.
Your scope definition should:
• Improve accuracy of cost, duration, and resource estimates.
• Define a baseline for performance measurement and control.
• Facilitate clear assignment of responsibilities.
Work Breakdown Structure (WBS)
A work breakdown structure, or WBS, is used to define and integrate all the activities included in the project scope. Remember that there is a one-to-one relationship between the project scope and WBS. All the work included in the scope document should be included in your WBS.
Directions
Create the following two course project planning items. Plan to submit separate documents for each.
• Scope Document: Use the Scope Statement Template to create the scope for your project. Make modifications and add information as needed to the template to ensure the scope statement is exactly as you want it.
• Work Breakdown Structure: Prepare a WBS for your course project. Remember, you must first break down your project into major work elements, noting who is responsible for each. You must also consider if the work element is concurrently done with another work element, or if it is it in a series and cannot start until the previous element is completed. This activity will start to define your timeline and critical path.
Submission Instructions
Submit the scope and WBS in separate documents. Be sure to attach BOTH of the documents with your assessment submission. This is important to avoid unnecessary use of one of your re-submission attempts to submit a missing part of your assessment.
