ENGG1860
Individual Assignment #1
WBS Essay Assignment
Guidelines
1. Read the Rubric (on Canvas) carefully as you are marked based on this.
2. Your task is to submit an analytical Essay about WBS.
3. Length: 1500 words (excluding references). You are required to use list of references and
in-text citations. +/- 10% of words is allowed.
4. Individual Assignment #1 = 20%
5. You are required to put in a reference list to demonstrate that your work has been
supported by scholarly sources. References should be placed at the end of your
document. Number of references should be appropriate to the size of the document, i.e.,
appx. 1 reference per 200 words. Your references should be mostly informed by the
academic literature (i.e., peer reviewed sources).
6. Use Harvard referencing style.
7. Submission: MS Word document (.doc, .docx), Turnitin on Canvas
Essay question:
Practitioners of PM argue that there is no ‘right’ way of organising a WBS. By examining the
relevant literature, critically discuss the importance of WBS in projects, characteristics of an
effective WBS and whether there are best ways of organising WBS.
The purpose of the Essay about WBS is to demonstrate your knowledge and understanding
of this topic. It’s also a tool to promote thinking and learning about this critical tool in project
management. You are required to develop an argument and apply critical thinking skills to
analyse a range of academic sources in support of your argument.
Consider the following questions:
• What is the role and importance of WBS in a project?
• How is WBS developed and what are the core characteristics of an effective WBS?
• What are the different ways of organising a WBS and what are the pros and cons of
those?
• What may be the difference for the above in different industries, i.e., construction vs.
IT? Use examples to illustrate your argument.
Proposed Essay Structure:
• Introduction: Introduce the topic, provide the background information on WBS, outline of
the components to be discussed in the essay (structure). Provide overall point of view on
the topic.
• Body paragraphs
o paragraph 1
▪ Topic sentence outlining first component.
▪ Sentences giving explanations and providing evidence to support topic
sentence.
2
▪ Concluding sentence - link to next paragraph
o paragraph 2
▪ Topic sentence outlining second component.
▪ Sentences giving explanations and providing evidence to back topic
sentence.
▪ Concluding sentence link to next paragraph
o Following body paragraphs
▪ These follow the same structure for as many components as you need to
outline.
• Conclusion: Provide a summary of the main points of the body and restatement of the
main point of view. Provide justification for your arguments and relate your closing
statement to the opening one.
• References: All media sources and academic references must be clearly stated and
referenced.
Tips:
• Always support your approach and arguments with high quality academic literature.
Provide in-text citations.
• Do not merely describe the WBS but analyse, compare, and discuss different ways of
organising a WBS, etc. in order to consider the different underlying needs, approaches,
industry preferences, etc. Critically consider both the positives and negatives, pros and
cons, strengths, and weaknesses of different ways of organising a WBS.
Essay checklist:
• Understood the question correctly?
• Answered all parts of the question or task?
• Included a thesis statement (answer to a question or response to a task) and an
appropriate argument?
• Developed my argument by using logical points which are well reasoned?
• Used information from academic texts or credible sources to support my argument?
• Included relevant examples, where necessary, from the examples to demonstrate
application?
• Been analytical and demonstrated critical thinking in my essay?
• Proofread my work to check that each paragraph links to the previous or the thesis?
• Structured my essay in an introduction, body, and conclusion.
• Checked my spelling, grammar, and punctuation.