APA RESEARCH PAPER

APA Research Paper

Abstract

Ducks Unlimited (DU) is a non-for profit organization with a commitment towards the conservation of wetlands and associated upland habitats for waterfowl, other wildlife and people. On 10th February 2014, management is planning a keystone conference in Charlottesville, North Carolina to flesh-out DU's long-term strategy for the next ten years. The scope and priorities of the project, WBS (Preliminary Work Breakdown Structure) and recommended communication plan is documented in this paper.

Introduction

The scope of the Project and its Elements

A project scope checklist is completed to make sure all the elements which make up a complete project scope are included. The first element in the checklist of a conference project scope is the definition of project objective which will address the basic questions like “when, what, how, and why” and acquire the pertinent information. Keystone conference project objective is planning the national conference, making sure all the resources and tasks are quantified and are not exceeding the allocated budget of $1.2 million (Whitley, 2006).

Deliverables

The next component in the project checklist is the identification of major deliverables which will be produced from the very beginning to the end of the project. These deliverables further includes the identification of sub-project leaders for each aspect of the project, establishment of the schedule, securing the venue, identifying the presenters for the conference, establishment of group rates for travel (i.e. airfare and hotel etc.).

Following important deliverables are expected throughout the life of the project.

A memorandum needs to be distributed to all the attendees of the conference which will identify the venue where conference is taking place. If selected venue is changed once the memorandum is distributed, another memorandum will be required to update the attendees about the new venue.

List of all the 10 projects which will be presented in the conference

List of all the project team rosters

List of presenters and topics which will be covered in the conference

Promotional materials

Guest register

Agenda of the conference

Milestones

The third element in the project checklist is the identification of major milestones that are checkpoints/key control for the project plan. Ensuring the provision of important information and updates about the project status to decision makers and stakeholder is necessary is another key aspect of the project to keep the attendees informed. Timely accomplishment of all the activities in a project to meet the overall deadline is the only criteria on which the success/failure of the project will be judged.

1. Selection of the ten projects which will be presented at the conference - June 1, 2012  2. Formation of ten different project teams, assign them their project and brief them completely about their respective project - June 15, 2012.  3. Secure the venue - January 10, 2013.  4. Distributing the promotional materials - January 23, 2013.  5. Selecting and briefing the presenters - February 28, 2013.  6. Begin registration - May 16, 2013.  7. Close registration - December 30, 2013.  8. Finalize guest register - January 10, 2014.

Technical requirements of the project

The fourth element in the project scope checklist is the identification ...