Work Breakdown Structure

Project Management Processes

(Initiation)
Project Management Plan
Initiation Scope WBS
(definition)
Project Charter
je c t Scope
Pro ent
S t a te m

Cost Time Human Resources

(estimates, …) (activity diagrams, …) (RACI matrix, …)

• Also to consider: Quality, Risk,

Communication, Procurement, Integration
(PMBOK® knowledge areas)

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 The Work Breakdown Structure in the
PMBOK®

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 WBS Objectives

• To reinforce the value of and approach towards work

breakdown structures
• To reinforce the value of integrated scope, cost, time
based estimates
• To illustrate the use of WBS for Project

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 WBS - Purpose

• To plan a project, the total scope of work must be:

– identified
– subdivided into manageable segments
– assigned to individuals responsible to do the work
– documented

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 WBS - Definition

• A deliverable oriented grouping of project elements which

organizes and defines the total scope of the project. Each
descending level represents an increasingly detailed
definition of a project component.

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 WBS - Guidelines

• Should reflect how the Project Manager plans to manage the project
• Emphasis must be on meeting project objectives
• The larger or more complex the project, the more levels in the WBS
• If work is needed that requires effort or funding, it should be included
in the WBS
• It should reflect the total effort

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 Guidelines - continued

• Include three types of project work

– Product
• Specifically assigned to a physical product as a unique deliverable
• This subset is sometimes referred to as the product breakdown
structure
– Integration
• When products are brought together as a unit
• Can be at any level
– Support
• Level of Effort, Administration, Expenses, Improvement Practices,
Contractor Management

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 Guidelines (cont)

• Sometimes the top level in the WBS should be the

project phases
• Often though, a work breakdown structure is
constructed for each phase

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 WBS - Structure
01 June,2000
Project Management Group

PROJECT

MAJOR PRODUCT PRODUCT PRODUCT PRODUCT PROJECT

TASKS 'A' 'B' 'C' INTEGRATION SUPPORT

MINOR SUB-ELEMENT SUB-ELEMENT

TASKS

WORK WORK WORK WORK

PACKAGES PACKAGE PACKAGE PACKAGE

sub tasks within work package

TYPICAL WBS

Page 1

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 WBS - Product
Project Management Group
01 June,2000

PROJECT

PRODUCT

MAJOR MAJOR
ELEMENT ELEMENT

Specifically identifiable to a physical product as a unique deliverable

i.e. Design Package; Drawings; Hardware; Software; Test Equipment;

Documentation.

WBS - PRODUCT

Page 1

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 WBS - Support

Thursday, May
08, 2003
Project Management Group

PROJECT

PROJECT
PRODUCTS
SUPPORT

PROJECT CONTRACTOR
MANAGEMENT MANAGEMENT

Management
Management
Planning & Control

Documentation
Support
Technical Support

Expenses

WBS - PROJECT SUPPORT

Page 1

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 WBS - Work Packages

• Lowest agreed level for management purposes

– Enables delegation of responsibility and authority
– Results in ownership and accountability

• Building block of the Project Baseline Plan

• Provides a common basis for
– Estimation of Scope, Time, Resources, and Risk
– Comparison between plan and actual

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 How to build a WBS

• Begin with the Charter, focusing on Objectives and Deliverables

• Break the main product(s) down into sub-products
• Set the structure to match how you’ll manage the project
• Lowest level not too detailed, not too large
• Is there a need for Integration?
• Identify support activities
• Check for completeness - is all the effort included?
• Develop a coding structure if needed
• Assign work package managers

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 Individual Exercise

• Case Study on WBS:

• 5-1 Barrage Construction Company: Sean’s WBS

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 Suggested WBS Template Process

Work Breakdown Structure Templates

Project Manager

Obtain template as
Yes Revise / add WBS
Does WBS starting point for Plan and execute WBS revision / Revise WBS
Yes Do lessons learned template
template exist? planning project addition useful? template

No
No
Manager(s)
Functional

Review WBS
template and
suggest revisions
Project Owner

Review WBS
template and
suggest revisions

End

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 • Redecorate Room
– Prepare materials
• Buy paint
• Buy a ladder
• Buy brushes/rollers
Example • Buy wallpaper remover

WBS – Prepare room

• Remove old wallpaper
• Remove detachable decorations
• Cover floor with old newspapers
WB
S

• 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 Conrad
03.02.21 17
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University of Bedfordshire