Work Breakdown Structure - Assignment Example

Proposal Preparation Plan Introduction A work breakdown structure is a tool in project management that helps breakdown a work in simpler components thus enhancing the successful management of a project. The structure is a derivable oriented tool that breaks down work into smaller elements by analyzing the specific decomposing features of the specific work (Dennis & Miller, 2006). In breaking down a work, a project manager must analyze the unique features of the work thereby identifying specific weak points that can easily separate thus completed at specific times. The breakdown must always uphold the cohesive nature of the work thus ensuring that the broken points are successive, this facilitates the efficient completion of the work without instances of redundancy. Key among the components of a particular work breakdown structure is the scope of the project. This refers to the features of the project including all the activities that make up the project. The structure must detail all the features of the work thus providing a reliable blueprint in the completion of the work. Time is yet another essential component of the structure. As discussed earlier, the structure guides the operations of the project managers. As such, it must detail the timeframe for the project by providing appropriate durations for every aspect of the project. Timely completion of the broken-down features contributes to the timely completion of the entire project owing to the interrelation of the various components (Project Management Institute, 2006). Additionally, a work breakdown structure must show the budget associated with the completion of the task. The budget enhances the completion of the project since it avails adequate resources for the completion of a particular aspect of the work. The appropriateness of the budgetary allocations ensures the effective and timely completion of the work since it influences the availability of the related resources. Besides all the features described above, a work breakdown structure must name the individual responsible for the project. This enhances accountability, a fundamental feature that contributes to the success of the project. An aircraft system is a complicated system consisting of various components that must operates efficiently and independently albeit in unison. This ensures the success and efficient operation of the entire system. The graphical representation below portrays a broken down feature of the system showing a typical work breakdown structure in the maintenance of an aircraft system. The system presents a chronological relationship of the varied levels in the management the of the aircraft system. The purchase and maintenance of the air vehicles is a fundamental aspect of the system. However, the success of the entire project relies on the recruitment and training of high quality personnel and the existence of equally appropriate peculiar support equipment. In doing this, the management must consider the cost ramifications of every level thus ensuring that the management of the system remains tenable. This way, the structure presents all the vital features of the system that must work independently as explained earlier thus contributing to the required efficiency and quality of the entire system. The structure further outlines the relationship among the variables thereby depicting the activities under every section in the management of the aircraft system (Gregory, 2007). The price to win is yet another fundamental management tool that contributes to the management of projects. As discussed earlier, the work breakdown structure must have a budgetary allocation. In doing this, the management utilizes the price to win tool that ensures efficient allocation and utilization of the financial resources allocated in every section. In developing a price to win strategy for every project in the structure, the management considers specific unique requirements of the structure thus allocating its resources appropriately. This requires the project managers to carry out independent analysis of the project and the client trends thus develop a structure similar to the one described above. This helps in the allocation of the financial resources since it advises the importance of the projects. With the construction of the structure, the project managers must consider the competitive rates in the market. This way, the project managers thus select the most competitive financial allocations in the budget. This enhances the efficiency of the management by curing wastage of resources. Ethical practices Ethics remains a fundamental aspect of any project management. The individuals involved in the management of a project must uphold specific values thus contributing to both the efficiency of the project and minimizing harm to all the parties involved in the project. Ethics is a contemporary social feature that influences human behavior. It refers to the ability of individuals to act correctly. This implies that it refers to the choice between right and wrong. As such, ethics remains a dynamic yet instrumental social feature that mean different things to different people but whose effective management influences the success of the project (Ansoff, 1965). As such, a project requires a defined behavior pattern. Project management therefore requires appropriate behaviors in order to complete the project in time and for the individuals to uphold ethical operations. Every profession often has a list of codes of conduct. This refers to the desired behavior pattern that every professional must uphold. The project managers can therefore utilize such tools as the codes of conduct in ensuring that every individual upholds appropriate behavior and ethical conduct. Additionally, the organization can as well create in house laws to govern the behavior of the individuals involved in a project. Such are unique laws that apply to either the organization or the project. As such, the individuals involved in a project must uphold specific behavior patterns thus minimizing harm that may arise from the engagements of the individuals involved in the project. As presented in the above discussion, ethics remains a personal decision. However, the organization must influence the behavior of its employees thus ensuring that they uphold ethical behavior in the organization (Carl, 2009). In determining the ethical values to initiate in an organization, the management must consider the need to minimize harm. A project for example involves numerous individuals including both the public and the employees of an organization. In setting the ethical behavior patterns, the management must consider the need to minimize harm in the personal interactions during the transactions. Most organizations communicate their values through such tools as the vision of the organization, the mission of a project and the values among many others. In such, the project managers help influence the behavior of the public thus contributing to the ethical interactions. Rules and assumptions The three ground rules that will contribute to the efficiency of the project include: I. Every department will act independently under the leadership of the head of department who will in turn meet with the management periodically in consultative meetings. II. Financial impropriety at every level is a criminal offense punishable by the state laws. As such, any individual found culpable will face prosecution. III. Lateness and rudeness among other types of ill manners at the place of work are not condoned. Employees must maintain cordial relationships both among themselves and with other people who interact with the organization on a daily basis. The above laws are effective since they address specific factors that influence the effectiveness and deficiency of the project. However, they are applicable only with specific assumptions, which include: I. The organization will employ professionals. Such are individuals who understand their responsibilities and have the professional training. II. The project will allocate adequate financial resources for the project. As such, any form of financial impropriety jeopardizes the entire project. III. The project runs for a specific period and will bring people from varied backgrounds together. This heightens the need for ethical behavior among the individuals involved in the project. References Ansoff, I. (1965). Corporate Strategy. New York: McGraw-Hill. Carl, L. P. (2009). Nuts and Bolts Series 1: How to Build a Work Breakdown Structure. New York: OUP. Dennis, P. & Miller, P.M. (2006). "Building Your Project Work Breakdown Structure -- Visualizing Your Objectives, Deliverables, Activities and Schedule". Somerset: Wiley. Gregory, T. H. (2007). Effective Work Breakdown Structures (The Project Management Essential Library Series). Hoboken: Wiley. Project Management Institute. (2006). Project Management Institute Practice Standard for Work Breakdown Structures, Second Edition. New York: McGraw-Hill. Read More