Abstract:

In project management, the project schedule is considered to be the most important deliverable in ensuring that the desired outcome is achieved. A Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) is the key to creating a feasible schedule. It provides a hierarchical project structure by breaking down the components of the desired project outcome in order to list all the activities and project risks. There are two types of WBS decomposition methods: Activity-based Decomposition (AbD) and Deliverables-based Decomposition (DbD). A workshop was held with the purpose of improving Project Based Learning (PBL) classes by teaching the WBS decomposition methods to lecturers who teach project-based classes in universities. The workshop brought together lectures and exercises focusing on WBS and schedule creation such as a Gantt Chart. The exercises covered the projects of arranging a flower garden and hosting a house party. In the questionnaire distributed after the course, there were many comments such as: “I think that it is worth including WBS in PBL classes”; “I will use materials of this workshop for the thesis preparatory education”; and “the exercise taught me the importance of clarifying the purpose of the project by creating the WBS”. This paper outlines the workshop lectures and exercises and describes devised points for improving the lectures. In the results of the questionnaire, there were interesting comments such as: “AbD makes WBS creation easier”; “DbD makes the project objective easier to clarify”; and “DbD helps in identifying project risks”. This paper discusses the participants’ comments and makes suggestions on how to improve the quality of teaching in project-based classes. Some students may not understand the value of project management, believing that it will merely increase their workload. This paper also considers how to teach the value of project management to such students based on the considerations above.

Keywords:

Project Management, Work Breakdown Structure, Project Based Learning.