Using the WBS to

Decompose Specific Project Activities

Winsome May Griffiths

ID #R1910D9531642
Project Management
UPLMBAM24-28811
Dr. Vusumuzi Sibanda
18th October 2021

1 Student ID #R1910D9531642 Course ID# UPLMBAM24-28811

Table of Contents Page

Introduction 3

Objective 3
Scope 3
Methodology 4

Importance Benefits and Structure of the WBS 5-7

Conclusion 8

Reference 9

2 Student ID #R1910D9531642 Course ID# UPLMBAM24-28811

Introduction

The simplest task begins with a plan. The success or failure of a project is dependent on

planning. Daniels (2018), a management accountant in his article recognizes that monitoring

performance, addressing issues, and capitalizing on opportunities is critical to successful

management; he included the quote “if you fail to plan, you are planning to fail”, a quote that

has always been attributed to Benjamin Franklin (Daniels 2018, p. 24).

Project decomposition is a process of breaking down deliverables into smaller and the

smallest possible activity. This will be presented in the format of an organizational chart.

Objective

This paper aims to present the work breakdown structure of the activities required in

repairing a bedroom. The decomposition of the main element of this project into specific

activities will be presented using the WBS technique.

The Scope

The scope of the project ranges from removing and replacing the ceiling to painting the entire

room.

3 Student ID #R1910D9531642 Course ID# UPLMBAM24-28811

Methodology

In accomplishing this, the project identified will be arranged into the WBS to demonstrate

how the project requirements are decomposed to specific activities and further discussed

using credible articles and research on WBS in Project Management.

A WBS according to PMBOK is a hierarchical decomposition of the total scope of the project

to accomplish the project objectives and create the required deliverables.

Though it is time-consuming and needs regular updating, the WBS is an important technique

in project management and is commonly accepted because it helps project managers to divide

projects into workable and manageable activities, it helps with the estimating, monitoring,

and assigning of responsibilities and resources allocation and it identifies potential risks and

threats.

4 Student ID #R1910D9531642 Course ID# UPLMBAM24-28811

Importance Benefits and Structure of the WBS

WBS is an important PM technique and it is commonly accepted because it helps project

managers to divide projects into workable and manageable activities.

Lock (2014. p. 82-83) states that the most useful tool in achieving accurate cost and duration

estimates is the WBS. With its many levels it has divided and subdivided complex tasks into

much smaller tasks until it cannot be broken down any further though not necessarily

presented work order. WBS has been used by many industries such as software engineering

and construction companies in their complex projects as it provides sufficient details enabling

communication. The WBS was used in the construction of the complex Karaj Metro Tunnel

and the Golabar diversion tunnel which were validated (Siami-Irdemoosa, Dindarloo, and

Sharifzadeh, 2015).

WBS figure 1 below shows the different activities involve in repairing the bedroom; the

major tasks being the ceiling, painting, securing of the furniture, the refitting of the room,

sourcing and material purchasing, identifying and engaging the relevant contractors. These

major tasks were further broken down into smaller deliverables, for example, the ceiling

repair, the demolishing of the old ceiling, removing the demolished rubble of the old ceiling,

installing the new ceiling; these represent smaller and manageable activities.

5 Student ID #R1910D9531642 Course ID# UPLMBAM24-28811

WBS- FIGURE 1
BEDROOM REPAIR

SECURING
CEILING PAINTING FURNITURE REFITTING
REPAIRS (CR) (P) ROOM (RR)

IDENTIFY REPLACE
SKILLED FURNITURE
GET &
PAINTER REMOVE ITEMS
MATERIAL FROM
ESTIMATE FURNITURE

STORE ITEMS IN UNCOVER

BOX STATIONARY
FURNITURE

DEMOLISH OLD SOURCE & MOVE BOXED

CEILING PURCHASING ITEMS TO NEXT
MATERIALS ROOM
MOVE
FURNITURE TO DUST OFF
NEXT ROOM FURNITURE

REMOVE OLD RECEIVE & COVER

CEILING TO STORE CLEAN & SCRAPE STATIONARY
DUMPSTER MATERIALS WALL FURNITURE
RETURN BOXED
ITEMS TO
FURNITURE

INSTALL NEW CLEAN DEBRI FROM

CEILING FLOOR
CLEAR AWAY
BOXES

CLEAR DEBRI COVER WINDOW &

DOOR FRAMES

CLOSE
COVER FLOOR TREAT WALL WITH
PROJECT
PAINT TREATMENT

TREAT CEILING WITH

PAINT WALLS
PAINT TREATMENT
PAINT CEILING

REFINE PAINTED
AREAS
WITH PAINT BRUSH

CLEAN PAINT
DROPPINGS &
MOP FLOOR

6 Student ID #R1910D9531642 Course ID# UPLMBAM24-28811

Additionally, it helps with estimating, monitoring, assigning responsibilities, and resource

allocation. The broken-down activities help to estimate every cost factor in the project, this

type of WBS works well with the estimating method called bottom-up estimating which is the

most accurate estimating tool; however, this does not only help with the costing aspect but

also with the duration estimate. All possible activities must be included in the WBS. Each

element also allows the project manager to identify the task and to match the task with the

relevant human resource person and required material. According to Alutbi (2020), the WBS

NASA applied in their reporting structure provided a framework for the natural development

of the overall plan and control of a contract and a basis for the division of work into definable

activities from which statements of work were developed schedules, cost, labour hour and

technical reporting were established.

Finally, WBS is important in PM and commonly used because it helps to identify potential

risks and threats; the risks identified every activity allows the project manager to make

necessary corrections and possible re-arranging and allocation of resources which may be

time consuming. With the level of risk involved it helps to identify those risks is especially

complex construction projects as with the Karaj Metro Tunnel (Siami-Irdemoosa, Dindarloo,

and Sharifzadeh, 2015).

7 Student ID #R1910D9531642 Course ID# UPLMBAM24-28811

Conclusion

Thus while it is time consuming and need regular updating, WBS is important in project

management, it has been widely accepted and applied in many areas and industries involved

in project management. It is the most useful tool in achieving accurate cost and duration

estimates WBS helps project managers to divide projects into workable and manageable

activities, it helps with the estimating, monitoring, and assigning of responsibilities and

resources allocation and it identifies potential risks and threats. It is noted how effective it is

in the execution of every activity leading to a successful project.

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Reference

Daniels, C., (2018) How to Create an Accurate Budget. Mold Making Technology, 21(12), p.
23-24.

PMI (2017) A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK guide) 6th
edn. Pennsylvania, USA: Project Management Institute, p.144.

Siami-Irdemoosa, E., Dindarloo, S.R. and Sharifzadeh, M., (2015) Work breakdown structure
(WBS) development for underground construction. Automation in construction, 58, pp.85-94.

Alutbi, M. (2020). Work Breakdown Structure (WBS).

Lock, D. (2014). The Essentials of Project Management. 4th edn. England: Gower Publishing
Limited, p.82-96.

9 Student ID #R1910D9531642 Course ID# UPLMBAM24-28811