Work Breakdown Structure: Example Problem
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Task Type: Individual Project
MS Project or WBS Template or in Excel
Your next step in the project management process is to create a work breakdown structure for the trade show. The WBS should include all the tasks and their dependencies, schedule, cost, activity assignments and resource needs. The result should be a project task list with activity, scheduling description, cost and resource allocation created using MS Project or the WBS template. The information in the WBS will later in incorporated into the project management plan for the trade show event.
Scenario:
Your company, LRH Products, is about to attend a major trade show event in Kansas City, MO. You are a member of the marketing team, that was selected to manage the trade show project. The project includes all the activities necessary to update the trade show display, re-stock the collaterals (brochures, signs, presentations), order new give aways, transport the trade show materials, set-up and manage display area, and make all travel arrangements. At this time, you do not need to update any of the printed collaterals, but the presentation will likely need some updating and small modifications. The sales people who will staff the display booth also need to be identified, notified, and trained. Uniforms for the sales team may also be necessary and would requirement procurement.
You will start this project within ten (10) weeks before the event; the display needs to be shipped ten (10) calendar days before the event begins to ensure adequate time for set-up by the on-site trade show staff. You have adequate budget, which was prepared by the marketing manager based on historical data that was produced from the costs of the previous show.
You have a small team of people to help you complete the project. You are available to work up to 16 hours a week on the project. As the newest person in the marketing department, you are not very familiar with the products or what has been done at previous trade shows. You have significant experience organizing trade show events since you used to work for one of their competitors. You also have experience training sales staff. You do not know the sellers (vendors) with whom you will work on this project, such as the printer and give away supplier. You do have the following individuals to draw upon their expertise for help and guidance.
Pat
Hours available per week - 12
Related Experience - Has been involved with the trade show for the past several years. Is very knowledgeable about the products and has a solid working relationship with the sales staff.
Comments - Likes to update the collaterals, especially the presentation. Is comfortable training the sales staff, but doesn't always cover the material correctly. Will go on vacation four weeks prior to the trade show and will be off for two weeks.
Terry
Hours available per week - 8
Related Experience - Administrative assistant for the marketing department and has been involved in preparations for several trade shows.
Comments - Enjoys working on the give-aways and presentations. Does not enjoy making travel arrangements and tends to make mistakes there. May be pulled away from this project to support more time-critical activities.
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Solution Summary
This solution assists with creating a work breakdown structure for a trade show.
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WBS of Trade Show Project
A work breakdown structure defines all tasks and sub tasks from start to finish of the project. The work break down structure of a project depends on life cycle of the project that includes all activities or tasks (Havranek, 1999). The given trade show project is a sales and marketing project with clearly defined objective and requirements. The development of a WBS is one of the most important activities to achieve the objectives or goals of this project. The project management should ensure that all the activities that are important for successful completion of the project are included in WBS. In the given scenario, the project management is included the two expertise and 3 sales staff for trade show event with all project requirements or resources.
The WBS of project is effective to evaluate all phases of the project and make the changes according to the project requirements (See: Attaché MS File). The WBS will start with planning and development of a project team that is required to complete the trade show event project. The project management is updated and modified the presentation according to change required during the project. The tanning plan is developed by the project management with the help and guidance of the expertise to train the sales staff. In the last, the project will be ended with evaluation of success and effectiveness of project. The WBS of trade show event project includes project dependencies, tasks and activities, scheduling descriptions, costs, and resources names or allocation. These are as follow -
Project dependencies:
The project dependency can be defined as the logical relationship in which a task is completely or partially depends on the other task to be performed. In a project network, the dependency is a link between all the elements of project. The four types ...
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