Saturday, November 7, 2009
Working on Work Breakdown Structure
Week#05 – Andy’s Blog
New project year 2010 is coming in and it means that we are working on initial stage of project work now and fortunately, in the same time with my first learning Humphrey book on initial stage of project management . So I could apply simultaneously what I learn in the earlier process of earned value project management to my work reality. We just complete to work on project definition and technical specification of Mine Development Hills project this week and start to develop work break down structure and technical risk assessment. It is an opportunity to apply the considerations in WBS development as state in the book into my project as well as my learning process. As is stated project management using Earned Value that WBS is developed based on product or phases oriented. I take a look in my previous work that current WBS is developed based on cost oriented at first level as shown in Ellipse system in the picture below which is currently used in our company as material inventory and cost data base program that is applied for project cost control. The cost structure has been used as generic standard WBS at level 1 and 2 then each project manager will continue to generate the next level with their own preference . Otherwise, somehow I have difficulty to track and control progress cost of product or each phase activities of project during project implementation. Then it creates multiple affects that there is some time unclearly relationship between WBS and scope of work in the contract work. Now I understand that’s why It mentioned in the Humphrey book that WBS with cost oriented will affect the cost associated with end product are scattered because cost elements will appear in many different WBS legs.
New project year 2010 is coming in and it means that we are working on initial stage of project work now and fortunately, in the same time with my first learning Humphrey book on initial stage of project management . So I could apply simultaneously what I learn in the earlier process of earned value project management to my work reality. We just complete to work on project definition and technical specification of Mine Development Hills project this week and start to develop work break down structure and technical risk assessment. It is an opportunity to apply the considerations in WBS development as state in the book into my project as well as my learning process. As is stated project management using Earned Value that WBS is developed based on product or phases oriented. I take a look in my previous work that current WBS is developed based on cost oriented at first level as shown in Ellipse system in the picture below which is currently used in our company as material inventory and cost data base program that is applied for project cost control. The cost structure has been used as generic standard WBS at level 1 and 2 then each project manager will continue to generate the next level with their own preference . Otherwise, somehow I have difficulty to track and control progress cost of product or each phase activities of project during project implementation. Then it creates multiple affects that there is some time unclearly relationship between WBS and scope of work in the contract work. Now I understand that’s why It mentioned in the Humphrey book that WBS with cost oriented will affect the cost associated with end product are scattered because cost elements will appear in many different WBS legs.
Picture - Generic Standard WBS based on Cost OrientedHowever, the WBS elements structure level 2 as shown the picture above are quite similar with Norsk Z-014 Standard - Activity Breakdowns (SAB) level 1. It seems the Norsk standard has been adopted to develop the current WBS although the next elements breakdowns are not consistently structural followed instead of preference matter. For this purpose, I do exercise whether SAB is appropriately WBS used for the Mine Development Project and do comparison against Physical Breakdown Structure (PBS) (for my Mentor : I’m still struggle to download Omni class in the internet I don’t know why it is unsuccessful .. any idea for down load are welcome ) . Review on project scoping of my project of Mine Development Hills which are consisted on multiple projects at some area and all consist of earthworks activities, initially the Norsk Z-014 Standard – Physical Breakdown Structure (PBS) is worked to develop at level 1 and 2 of WBS as the projects are located at some area. Otherwise, break it down to next level shows that SAB give more detail valuable information on multiple products are required to deliver during the development phases as well as I believe have closely interpretation with ABC costing. Otherwise, It believe there is no interesting information required how much cost expensed in each section (stations distance) of the road by PBS method instead of cost each activities and total unit cost per meter or volume which could show in each activities of the SAB.
Norsk Z-014 Standards WBS Comparison – PBS VS SAB It is always a challenge to develop proper level of detail in a WBS. Now, I Understand that each leg of the WBS should be stopped at that level where is smallest manageable element depends on the nature of the work and multiple product are required to deliver during the development phases. This is realized me on previous WBS contents some elements is not quite detail and the other hand there is detail element which are not measurable, unnecessary and result the expenditure is unattended. Anyway Thanks AACE to bring my knowledge and skill improved to implement WBS in the project management.
# posted by Andy @ 11/07/2009 12:09:00 AM 
Comments:
<< Home
OUTSTANDING posting, Andy!!! Well written, well researched and properly cited. This is an excellent topic and I hope you will write your paper on using Norsok, Masterformat, Uniformat or Omniclass for the mining sector.
I have the Omniclass downloads (most of them, anyway) and will upload them to the Google Group or send them via email......
Keep on doing what you are doing.....
BR,
Dr. PDG, Jakarta
I have the Omniclass downloads (most of them, anyway) and will upload them to the Google Group or send them via email......
Keep on doing what you are doing.....
BR,
Dr. PDG, Jakarta
Great share!!! it was detailed research thanks for it. The Project Manager’s first step is creating the work breakdown structure (WBS), a step that then enables subsequent planning of the work processes and schedule for accomplishing the project. After the WBS is developed, reviewed, and finalized, the structure is evaluated to determine the processes needed along with the schedule and costs required to achieve each of the identified goals. Primavera P6 tool is really usefull to level our project using both its project and activity leveling priorities Primavera Training
MS Project Training
MS Project Training
Subscribe to Post Comments [Atom]
<< Home
Subscribe to Posts [Atom]
Post a Comment
Thank you very much for your comment, we will try to reply your comment as soon as possible.