A Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) is a hierarchical outline of the activities required to complete a project. It assists in breaking down a project's structure into manageable deliverables. Each deliverable is assigned a job or sequence of activities that may be further subdivided to accomplish the project's objectives. The WBS allows the analysis of the work involved in project planning and implementation.

The WBS is especially vital in complex projects where remote teams are working across multiple countries. It divides projects into “work packages” that are further subdivided into individual tasks or components. This helps limit mistakes in cost estimations and enables the creation of a project plan that assigns activities in their proper order.

The WBS also helps plan which tasks must be completed before others can begin. Examples of such a breakdown include the Logistics and Infrastructure, IT, Human Resources, Finance, and Marketing Research and Strategy categories.

Each of these categories is further broken down into specific duties and activities. Relevant departments coordinate with each other and achieve timely deliverables throughout the project's critical path. Stakeholders' roles, responsibilities, and necessary skills are detailed in the report's Stakeholders section.

The Logistics and Infrastructure category includes tasks such as site or location planning for warehouses in various locations and supply chain and management planning. New partnerships with courier, shipping, and handling companies in the new region will be established, creating a more decentralized logistics model for delivering customer purchases. The IT department will operate end-to-end connections between all EBTH sites and carry out all IT developments, including websites in local languages, currencies, and payment systems.

The Human Resources branch will ensure that all necessary personnel are trained during all project stages, including design, implementation, testing, operations, and maintenance. The HR department will also oversee recruitment to avoid impeding the project at any stage. Each department coordinates with the relevant departments to achieve timely deliverables throughout the project's critical path.

Finance

The Finance Department is responsible for the following duties and obligations:

a. The department is responsible for opening bank accounts in new areas and working with the legal team and project sponsor to ensure that all banking regulations are met during the process.

b. To ensure the smooth running of the project, all findings and bills must be approved and paid for. Additionally, the department must oversee keeping track of and monitoring all expenditures.

c. The newly appointed finance staff must be trained appropriately, and the department should ensure that continuous development and training are provided.

d. The department is in charge of ensuring that regular payments to staff and stakeholders are made and recorded.

e. Regular internal audits are to be conducted, and any errors are to be rectified. If necessary, the department must also reconcile financial statements.

Marketing Research and Strategy

The Marketing Research and Strategy Department is responsible for the following tasks:

a. The department will create a map of local media outlets of interest and write localized press releases.

b. The department will define agreements with local partners for picture and video shoots, as well as local language material.

c. Local collaborators must categorize and provide graphic material for goods to be auctioned off in the community on the website. The department should oversee this process.

d. During the early operating phase, the department must plan and execute media mix advertising strategies for the website launch and promotion.

e. The department must update the EBTH website with new translated and localized material for new markets/nations.

f. The department should apply brand rules to new warehouses and office products (brochures, office stationery, printed materials, pamphlets, etc.) to ensure EBTH brand consistency in new areas.

References

Project Business Technology Resources. (2022). What is a Work Breakdown Structure? - Project Business Technology Resources. Retrieved 6 April 2022, from https://www.adeaca.com/blog/faq-items/what-is-a-work-breakdown-structure/#:~:text=into%20manageable%20deliverables.-,A%20Work%20Breakdown%20Structure%20(WBS)%20is%20a%20hierarchical%20outline%20of,the%20needs%20of%20the%20project.

Vilko, J., Karandassov, B., & Myller, E. (2011). Logistic Infrastructure and Its Effects on Economic Development. David Publishing. Retrieved 6 April 2022, from http://www.davidpublisher.com/Public/uploads/Contribute/5593aa7ea8099.pdf.