A question I often hear is “what is the maximum time I should allocate to a task”?
First we need to define a “work package”. It is the act of breaking down deliverables in to successively smaller chunks of work to be completed in order to achieve a level of work that can be both realistically managed by the project manager and completed within a given time frame by one or more team members. Work packages are the lowest level of the WBS and are pieces of work that are specifically assigned to one person or one team of people to be completed. This is also the level at which the project manager has to closely monitor all project work.
Most project managers concur that this varies by project, but can usually be measured using the 8/80 Rule. The 8/80 Rule says that no work package should be less than 8 hours or greater than 80 hours.
A work package at the activity level is a task that:
- can be realistically and confidently estimated;
- makes no sense practically to break down any further;
- can be completed in accordance with one of the heuristics defined above;
- produces a deliverable which is measurable; and
- forms a unique package of work which can be outsourced or contracted out
One more point to remember is to develop the project budget first before deciding on the ele-ments for the WBS. Without the money there is no project. The “BUDGET” has to consider the tasks in general and the materials, resources and even the estimated time to accomplish the project. Take the time to plan the budget, remember your tasks should follow the 8/80 rules and your project schedule should then be on sound footing.
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Filed under: Al's Angle, Project Management, Scope Management | Tagged: Deliverable, gantt chart, Task (project management), WBS, Work breakdown structure, Work package | Leave a Comment »
