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ChaPter 3 • ProjeCt management 71

Figure 3.15
A sample work breakdown
1.0 Project Initiation
structure (WBS).
1.1 Assemble and welcome project team
1.2 Conduct historical research about the business
1.3 Discuss objectives with client
2.0 Early Planning Phase
2.1 Investigate feasibility
2.2 Consider a make vs. buy decision
2.3 Develop a work breakdown structure
2.4 Provide time estimates
2.5 Develop a project schedule
2.6 Calculate cost estimates
2.7 Prepare project proposal to client
2.8 Present proposal to client
3.0 Develop supporting plans
3.1 Develop a quality management plan
3.2 Identify risks and build a risk management plan
3.3 Describe a communications plan
3.4 Develop a procurement plan
4.0 Analysis
4.1 Conduct interviews of key personnel
4.2 Administer questionnaires
4.3 Read company reports
4.4 Analyze data flow
5.0 Design
5.1 Build prototype website
5.2 Obtain reactions from client
5.3 Modify prototype website
5.4 Seek final recommendations from client
5.5 Complete website
6.0 Launch
6.1 Create training manual
6.2 Document website features and logic
6.3 Present final website to client

completing each task and then apply a simple formula to calculate a weighted average. The
formula is:
E 5 1a 1 4 * m 1 b2/6
where a is the best-case estimate, b is the pessimistic or worst-case time estimate, and m is the
most likely time estimate.
Typically the best-case scenario would improve on the time elapsed a little, but the pessi-
mistic or worst-case estimate would imply that something disastrous happens, such as a weather
or personnel delay. For example, writing a software module may take 10 days in most cases,
but if the project is easier than expected, it might take only 8 days. If, however, the programmer
accepts a job elsewhere, it may take 30 days. If you apply the formula, you get this estimate:
E 5 18 1 4 * 10 1 302/6
5 13 days
In this case, you will estimate that it will take 13 days to finish the task.

USING FUNCTION POINT ANALYSIS. Another way of estimating the amount of work that needs
to be done and how large a staff you need to complete a project is called function point analysis.