The Process of Managing Complex Projects Management Coursework

Project Management
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The Process of Managing Complex Projects
Managers, whether steering small or large projects advocate for a process referred to as the Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) (Harvard, 2004). First, the process involves determining whether the project is viable and identification of major deliverables. The next step is breaking down the project into small manageable tasks and preparation of a schedule for completion of each task. Third, the project manager must estimate the time and cost of each task and assess the resources at their disposal (Harvard, 2004). A manager then assigns individual assignments according to their skills and time each task will take. Conducting WBS process is important as it may reveal some challenges the project may face such as inadequate labor force, resources or time, which can help managers to make some adjustments or abandon the project altogether. Managing the risks associated with the project is also an important aspect of the process of project management.
The Scheduling Process
The scheduling process consists of four main phases which include the identification and definition of the main task and sub-tasks using the WBS method. During this phase, the main tasks are decomposed into various schedule activities (Harvard, 2004). The second step entails determining the relationship between various sub-tasks which help the manager establish the sequence in which such tasks will be executed. In other words, sub-tasks must be placed in the order they will be executed. The third step is the creation of a draft schedule which contains the cost, skills, and timeframes for each task. The draft schedule is amendable depending on viewpoints from different individuals (Harvard, 2004). The final phase of scheduling process is referred to as optimization which involves...