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Project Management PMBOK

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Ti

Work Breakdown Structure

(WBS)
Dr Marc Conrad
Office: D104 Park Square
Marc.Conrad@beds.ac.uk

04.10.16

Marc Conrad
University of Bedfordshire

Project Management Processes

(Initiation)
Project Management Pla
Initiation
Scope
WBS
(definition)
Project Charter
e
Scop
t
c
e
j
Pro
ent
m
e
t
a
St

Cost

Time

Human Resources

(estimates, )

(activity diagrams, )

(RACI matrix, )

Also to consider: Quality, Risk,

Communication, Procurement, Integration
(PMBOK knowledge areas)

The Work Breakdown Structure in the

PMBOK

From the file

ITO2008.ppt

The Work Breakdown Structure (WBS)

S
WB

Used as a basis for a number of processes in

particular to produce the subsidiary plans of the
Project Management Plan.
The WBS is a deliverable-oriented hierarchy of
decomposed project components that organises
and defines the total scope of the project. The WBS
is a representation of the detailed project scope
statement that specifies the work to be
accomplished by the project.
The elements comprising the WBS assist the
stakeholders in viewing the end product of the
project.
The work at the lowest-level WBS component is
estimated, scheduled, and tracked.

04.10.16

Marc Conrad
University of Bedfordshire

The Dictionary of the WBS

S
WB

A WBS dictionary is a companion document to the

WBS that describes each WBS element. For each WBS
element, the WBS dictionary includes a statement of
work, a list of associated activities, and a list of
milestones.
Other information can include the responsible
organisation, start and end dates, resources required,
an estimate of cost, charge number, contract
information, quality requirements, and technical
references.
WBS elements should be cross-referenced as
appropriate.

04.10.16

Marc Conrad
University of Bedfordshire

 Redecorate Room
Prepare materials

Example WBS

S
WB

Prepare room

04.10.16

Buy paint
Buy a ladder
Buy brushes/rollers
Buy wallpaper remover
Remove old wallpaper
Remove detachable decorations
Cover floor with old newspapers
Cover electrical outlets/switches with tape
Cover furniture with sheets

Paint the room

Clean up the room

Dispose or store left over paint

Clean brushes/rollers
Dispose of old newspapers

Marc ConradRemove covers

University of Bedfordshire

Developing the WBS

S
WB

Divide the total work of the project into

major groups...
...then subdivide these groups into
tasks...
...then divide these tasks into sub-tasks
Subtasks should be small enough to
permit adequate control and visibility
But avoid excess bureaucracy!

04.10.16

Marc Conrad
University of Bedfordshire

Product Breakdown Structure

Redecorated Room

S
PB

Focus on the product

to be delivered and not
on the work to do.
Underpins PRINCE2
product-based
approach.

04.10.16

Removed old wallpaper

Clean room
Cover for furniture
Cover for electrical
switches
Newspapers to cover
floor.
Paint
Paint on wall
Leftover paint
Management products
Ladder
Brushes and rollers

Marc Conrad
University of Bedfordshire

Scope Breakdown Structure

(Max Widemans approach)

S
SB

Geographically discrete components

Time based phases and stages
Intermediate or final major deliverables
Discrete structural, process, system or device
components
Deliverable elements that can be associated
with distinctive types of people-skills or
resources
After that, break down the work as in the WBS

Recommended
Reading!
04.10.16

http://www.maxwideman.com/musings/wbswar.htm
Marc Conrad
University of Bedfordshire

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Scope Breakdown Structure

(Max Wideman redecorates a room)

Redecorated Room

Painted wall

S
SB

Note the noun

phrases on the top
levels (scope
breakdown) and
the activities on the
lower levels!

New curtains

Content Family

A clean room

Cover floor with old newspapers

Cover electrical outlets/switches with tape

Cover furniture with sheets

Dinner in a restaurant

04.10.16

Buy paint
Buy ladder
Buy brushes or rollers
Paint room

Decision on colours

Marc Conrad
of
University
Bedfordshire

10

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Summary

ary
mm
Su

The WBS is used to define the

activities that are then further
managed.
Consider alternatives:

Work Breakdown Structure

Product Breakdown Structure
Scope Breakdown Structure

Use Common Sense in Breakdown the

Project.

04.10.16

Marc Conrad
University of Bedfordshire

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