PRO4801 Assignment 3 Memo
(COMPLETE ANSWERS) Due
8 September 2025
For assistance contact
Email:
,Question 3.1: Project Planning Process
The project planning process involves defining the project's scope, objectives, and deliverables.
It answers fundamental questions to guide the team and stakeholders. The key steps are defining
project scope, creating a work breakdown structure (WBS), scheduling activities,
estimating resources and costs, and managing risks.
1. Defining Project Scope and Objectives
Purpose: This initial step ensures everyone understands what the project is meant to
achieve, what is included (in-scope), and what is not (out-of-scope). It sets clear
boundaries and expectations.
Typical Questions:
o What are the project's ultimate goals and objectives?
o What are the key deliverables and expected outcomes?
o Who are the stakeholders, and what are their requirements?
o What are the project constraints, such as time, budget, and quality standards?
2. Creating a Work Breakdown Structure (WBS)
Purpose: The WBS breaks down the project's high-level deliverables into smaller, more
manageable work packages. This hierarchical structure provides a clear, organised view
of all the work to be done.
Typical Questions:
o What are the major phases of the project?
o What are the specific tasks or activities required to complete each phase?
o How can we decompose these tasks into small, measurable work packages?
o What is the logical sequence of these work packages?
3. Scheduling Activities
Purpose: This step sequences the work packages identified in the WBS and estimates the
time required for each, creating a project timeline. It helps determine the critical path and
overall project duration.
Typical Questions:
, o What activities must be completed before others can begin (precedence)?
o How much time will each activity take?
o What is the optimal sequence to achieve the project's end date?
o Are there any deadlines or milestones we must meet?
4. Estimating Resources and Costs
Purpose: This step identifies the human, material, and equipment resources needed for
each activity and assigns a cost to them. This ensures the project stays within budget.
Typical Questions:
o What specific resources (personnel, equipment, materials) are needed for each
task?
o How many person-hours or days will each resource be required?
o What are the associated costs for these resources?
o How will we track and manage the project budget?
5. Managing Risks
Purpose: Identifying potential risks and creating a plan to mitigate them is crucial for a
project's success. This proactive step helps avoid or reduce the impact of unforeseen
problems.
Typical Questions:
o What are the potential risks or uncertainties that could affect the project?
o How likely is each risk to occur, and what would its impact be?
o What contingency plans can we put in place to address these risks?
o Who is responsible for monitoring and managing each risk?
Question 3.2: Scheduling Justification
(i) Project Master Schedule and Project Activities
Project Master Schedule: This is a high-level, summary timeline that shows major
project phases, milestones, and deliverables. It provides a strategic overview for senior
management and stakeholders, ensuring alignment with business goals. It benefits the
project by giving a clear, bird's-eye view, facilitating high-level communication, and
ensuring everyone understands the overall project trajectory without getting bogged down
in minute details.
(COMPLETE ANSWERS) Due
8 September 2025
For assistance contact
Email:
,Question 3.1: Project Planning Process
The project planning process involves defining the project's scope, objectives, and deliverables.
It answers fundamental questions to guide the team and stakeholders. The key steps are defining
project scope, creating a work breakdown structure (WBS), scheduling activities,
estimating resources and costs, and managing risks.
1. Defining Project Scope and Objectives
Purpose: This initial step ensures everyone understands what the project is meant to
achieve, what is included (in-scope), and what is not (out-of-scope). It sets clear
boundaries and expectations.
Typical Questions:
o What are the project's ultimate goals and objectives?
o What are the key deliverables and expected outcomes?
o Who are the stakeholders, and what are their requirements?
o What are the project constraints, such as time, budget, and quality standards?
2. Creating a Work Breakdown Structure (WBS)
Purpose: The WBS breaks down the project's high-level deliverables into smaller, more
manageable work packages. This hierarchical structure provides a clear, organised view
of all the work to be done.
Typical Questions:
o What are the major phases of the project?
o What are the specific tasks or activities required to complete each phase?
o How can we decompose these tasks into small, measurable work packages?
o What is the logical sequence of these work packages?
3. Scheduling Activities
Purpose: This step sequences the work packages identified in the WBS and estimates the
time required for each, creating a project timeline. It helps determine the critical path and
overall project duration.
Typical Questions:
, o What activities must be completed before others can begin (precedence)?
o How much time will each activity take?
o What is the optimal sequence to achieve the project's end date?
o Are there any deadlines or milestones we must meet?
4. Estimating Resources and Costs
Purpose: This step identifies the human, material, and equipment resources needed for
each activity and assigns a cost to them. This ensures the project stays within budget.
Typical Questions:
o What specific resources (personnel, equipment, materials) are needed for each
task?
o How many person-hours or days will each resource be required?
o What are the associated costs for these resources?
o How will we track and manage the project budget?
5. Managing Risks
Purpose: Identifying potential risks and creating a plan to mitigate them is crucial for a
project's success. This proactive step helps avoid or reduce the impact of unforeseen
problems.
Typical Questions:
o What are the potential risks or uncertainties that could affect the project?
o How likely is each risk to occur, and what would its impact be?
o What contingency plans can we put in place to address these risks?
o Who is responsible for monitoring and managing each risk?
Question 3.2: Scheduling Justification
(i) Project Master Schedule and Project Activities
Project Master Schedule: This is a high-level, summary timeline that shows major
project phases, milestones, and deliverables. It provides a strategic overview for senior
management and stakeholders, ensuring alignment with business goals. It benefits the
project by giving a clear, bird's-eye view, facilitating high-level communication, and
ensuring everyone understands the overall project trajectory without getting bogged down
in minute details.
