W4_Ocharlie_Compare OmniClass WBS as EVM tool

Problem definition

Compare WBS options in OmniClass as earned value management tools

Feasible alternatives

WBS with discipline orientation

WBS with phase orientation

WBS with component orientation

Develop the outcome of each alternative

Table 1 Rating of the alternatives against WBS attributes

ATTRIBUTES	WBS BY DISCIPLINE	WBS BY PHASE	WBS BY COMPONENT
Product visibility	Poor	Excellent	Fair
Bases for historical data	Good	good	Good
Costs estimates	Good	Good	Good
Includes all work element	Poor	Excellent	Good

 

Selection of criteria

Product Visibility

Cost estimates

Inclusive of all work elements

Bases for historical data

Analysis of alternatives

Table 2 To check for dominance using the Noncompensatory model

ATTRIBUTES	DISCIPLINE VS PHASE	PHASE VS COMPONENT	COMPONENT VS DISCIPLINE
Product visibility	Worse	Better	Better
Bases for historical data	Worse	Better	Equal
Costs estimates	Worse	Equal	Equal
Includes all work element	Worse	Equal	Better
Dominance	Yes	Yes	Yes

 

From the pairwise comparisons of the 3 WBS orientations, Phase dominates discipline, phase dominates component and component dominates discipline. With phase orientation dominating it is clear that Phase oriented WBS gives much visibility as EVM tool.

Table 3 Comparison using the Nondimensional scaling of Compensatory model

ATTRIBUTES	DISCIPLINE	PHASE	COMPONENT
Product visibility	0	1	0.4
Bases for historical data	1	1	1
Costs estimates	1	1	1
Includes all work element	.3	1	1
	2.3	4	3.4

Taking all the attributes to be of equal importance, the scores for each WBS is the summation of the nondimensional values of each column. Predictably phase WBS is best rated.

 

Selection of preferred alternative

Earned Value Measurement is a project control tool that focuses on earned value of work performed as project progresses and allows for effective measurement of the status in terms of both cost and schedule. Product visibility is a key characteristic of WBS and an effective EVM tool for progress measurement. From the two analysis presented, phase oriented WBS gives a visible status of the project in terms of milestone completion.

Performance monitoring and evaluation

The phase oriented WBS, the phase 2 which is fabrication can be taken down to level 3 to the main elements of product oriented WBS –skid and spools fabrication - and progress tracked both in terms of schedule and cost.

References

OmniClass a strategy for classifying the built environment (Ed 1), 2006-03-28 Release).

OmniClass Table 23- Product

OmniClass Table 31- Phases

OmniClass Table 33- Discipline

Retrieved from http:www.omniclass.org/

Hollman, J.K . (Ed). (2012). , Plan Project Scope and Execution Strategy development,

Total Cost Management Framework. (PP. 147-150) WV, AACE International

 Sullivan, W.G., Wicks, E.M., & Koelling, C.P. (2012). Engineering Economy (15^th ed.) New Jersey, NJ. Pearson Higher Education, Inc.