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Developing the Project • 91

Once the goals and objectives, assumptions and constraints, and high-
level budget and schedule are identified, the next step in the process is the
detailed planning. Unequivocally, the most important planning tool for the
green project manager is the work breakdown schedule (WBS). There are
no guarantees for project success or failure. For most projects, especially
the more complex projects (and indeed greenality does add a new level of
complexity), there are a whole host of issues that will positively and nega-
tively affect the project’s objectives. But we can guarantee one thing, and
that is: if a complete and thorough WBS is not identified, failure is probably
assured. And, the green aspects that must be included in the WBS are part
of a complete and thorough WBS. So what is different about a green WBS?
It may help to have a short tutorial of a WBS and how it is constructed.
For simplicity, we’ll think about a WBS in the form of a top-down flow-
chart. Thinking about any WBS requires that the top levels of effort be
identified first, and then those levels are “decomposed” further and fur-
ther until there is a level at which work can be assigned in the form of
manageable chunks, or “tasks.”
Here is a typical recipe for baking a “standard white cake.”

standard White Cake recipe

1 package of white cake mix
1¼ cups of water
3 eggs
2 tablespoons of vegetable oil
1 teaspoon of vanilla
½ teaspoon of almond extract

Creamy White Frosting
1 cup milk
3 tablespoons of all-purpose flour
1 cup of butter
1 cup of powdered sugar
1 teaspoon of vanilla

Cake PreParation:
Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease and flour two 8- or 9-inch round cake pans.
Combine cake mix, water, eggs, and oil in large bowl. Beat at medium
speed with electric mixer until well blended. Add vanilla and almond extract;
mix until well blended. Divide batter evenly between prepared pans.