Project management – uplmbam24 - 33134

Individual Assignment #1

Abstract
Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) for the Construction of a Hospital

Somlata Bispat
R2105D12186478
Lock (2014, p. 67) states that - a work breakdown structure is a logical, hierarchical tree of all
the tasks needed to complete a project. The top of the tree is the project itself. The next layer or
level down contains the main work packages. This simply means, the project deliverables are
broken down into smaller, more manageable units called work parcels by the WBS, which
are put together in a single document. The complete project scope, comprising all deliverables,
including design, engineering, and project management services, must be displayed in the work
breakdown structure. The WBS does not include work that is not within the project scope. The
WBS assists the project team in executing tasks more effectively, accurately estimating the
schedule and cost, allocating and assigning resources, and monitoring the project's development
and performance. This will lead to a successful project.

This paper will look at a building construction project – the construction of a 100-bed Covid-19
Hospital. Creating the WBS will entail breaking down the main project activities or sub-activities
into smaller, more manageable activities.

1. Define the project first - clarifying the project is the first step in designing a WBS. It can
be necessary to narrow the project's true scope to scale the WBS properly and prevent it
from growing cumbersome.
2. Establish project parameters. Once the project has been identified and characterized, you
can place restrictions on what is and isn't included in the WBS.
3. List the deliverables for the project. High-level project deliverables like a Project Scope
Statement or Mission Statement will be included in this.
4. Specify Level 1 components.
5. Dissect each of the Level 1 components. Decomposition is the process through which
Level 1 items are broken down. It entails segmenting a task into ever-tinier components.
Consider whether additional breakdown might enhance project management at each
successive level. Once the answer to that query is "no," keep dissecting the components.
The WBS is finished once you've finished decomposing every element in Level 1.
6. List the team players. Determine a person or group in charge of each component.
7. Construct a Gantt chart to go along with the WBS.

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A deliverable-based work breakdown structure makes it apparent how the project's deliverables—such as its products, services, or
results are related to its scope, that is, the work to be executed. Below is the WBS for the Construction of a Hospital.

Hospital
Construction

Project Permits Scope Design Civil &

Commissioning
Development Approval Definition Development Engineering

Planning & Evironmental Develop Atchitects/ Equiment

Tendering
Control Authorization General Scope Engineers Inspection

Site Building Develop Programming & Building

Procurement
Assessment Permits Audits/Surveys Feasibility Inspection

Archelogical Land Usage Complete major Schematic On-site

Construction
Investigations Approval Studoes Design Inspection

Geological Design and Manage/

Other Permits System Startup
Investigations Development Monitor

Contract Verify Perfornance

Documents Milestones Verification

Operational
Evaluate
Readiness

Project
Completion

Defects Liability
Period

Handover

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A good scope definition should be able to lead to:

 More exact, accurate, and reliable cost and time estimations

 Fewer changes – variations

The project development stage will be basically the initial stage of the project, where all
stakeholders are identified and met with. All site inspections are done so that the necessary
permits can be sought. A project must have all the necessary approvals from relevant
stakeholders to avoid future legal issues. The critical phase of the project is always the scope
definition and ensuring that all parties agree and see the same end goal. At this stage, different
options, sketches, and basic project elements are presented and researched to establish a “Basis
of Design”.

The design phase is where the team satisfies the “Basis of Design” requirements with the
technical solutions – drawings, designs, bills of quantities, and contract documents. After which
the execution or implementation phase begins. This stage is where the majority of the project
time takes place and proper management is vital – ensuring construction is done as per
specifications, within the allotted time, and within budget. Evaluation is constantly done
throughout the construction phase as well – quality assurance and control protocols.

The final stage will be the testing, inspection, and commissioning activities. The project's
deliverables must all be completed to be delivered to the customer. All outstanding payments
must be made so that the customer can accept the completed project. At this stage, the customer
must give the formal acceptance of the project – a written document stating that the project is
completed and they accept the outputs of the project.

Project planning is more consistent thanks to the WBS, which also ensures efficient project
execution. A WBS's principal objective is to break down complex activities into a list of tasks.
Tasks must have distinct, measurable goals and boundaries. The project management team can
allocate particular expenses to each WBS work because they are all measurable. The WBS
enables project managers to divide the project budget into clearly defined packages tied to the
tasks and monitor whether the sum of the task costs exceeds the project's overall cost.

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References

Brotherton, S. A., Fried, R. T., & Norman, E. S. (2008). Applying the work breakdown structure
to the project management lifecycle. Paper presented at PMI® Global Congress 2008—North
America, Denver, CO. Newtown Square, PA: Project Management Institute.

Lock, D 2014, The Essentials of Project Management, Taylor & Francis Group, Farnham.
Available from: ProQuest Ebook Central. [12 October 2022].

Project Management Institute. (2004). A guide to the project management body of knowledge
(PMBOK® Guide)-Third edition. Newtown Square, PA: Project Management Institute.