A Practical Perspective of WBS via PMP and MS Project 2007 (Part - 2)

The earlier part in the series is available at: A Practical Perspective of WBS via PMP and MS Project 2007 (Part - 1)

In this part, we will see how we will implement our understanding on WBS from PMBOK/PMP using MS Project. There are differences between terms and terminologies between MS Project 2007(MSP) and PMBOK. However, the concept remains the same.

A Comparative Perspective between PMBOK and MS Project:

1. Project (PMBOK) Vs Project Summary Task (MSP):
“Project” is at the highest level when a WBS is created in the “Create WBS” KAP of Scope Management KA, which can be further broken down into phases, deliverables or phases. It is considered to be at Level-0 in the WBS.

Similarly in MSP, it is known as “Project Summary Task” and it can be viewed by selecting the “Show Project Summary Task” in the View tab of Tools --> Options menu.

2. Work Package/Deliverables/Phases (PMBOK) Vs Summary Task (MSP):

In MS Project 2007, a Summary Task can also be broken down to individual task levels. The entire duration for the summary task is calculated from individual tasks underneath it.
While comparing Summary Task with the elements in the WBS, Summary Task can loosely refer to a Phases or Deliverables or Work Packages. As each a Phase can be broken down to Deliverables, a Deliverable to Work Packages and so on.

Work Package is created in the “Create WBS” KAP of Scope Management KA. As per PMBOK, it represents the lowest level in the WBS. As per PMBOK, a work package can be assigned to multiple people and normally can be broken down to “Activity” level. A “Work Package” in PMP corresponds to “Summary Task” in MSP. Similarly, in the WBS, the highest level represents the Project itself. In MSP, it is known as the “Project Summary Task”.

3. Duration (Both in PMBOK and MSP):

In MSP, duration is calculated as Duration = Finish Date – Start Date + 1. Similarly, the duration in PMP is same. However, it comes with as variants as:

Duration = Early Finish – Early Start + 1 OR
Duration = Late Finish – Late Start + 1

In final part we will put our Example WBS in Part - 1 to use by MS Project 2007.

To be continued . . .

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