how do you structure a wbs

How do you create a work breakdown?

10:5413:37How to Create a Work Breakdown Structure: A WBS MasterclassYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipNow you've got your deliverable based work breakdown structure how do you understand the tasks theMoreNow you've got your deliverable based work breakdown structure how do you understand the tasks the activities it takes to create your project the first step is to create work packages to identify

What are the two main ways of structuring the WBS?

There are essentially two ways to create a Work Breakdown Structure – the top-down or the bottom-up approach. The top-down approach, in my opinion, generates a complete and more accurate WBS. In this approach, the WBS is derived by decomposing the overall project into sub-projects or lower-level tasks.

What is work breakdown structure with example?

“A work breakdown structure defines all the things a project needs to accomplish, organized into multiple levels, and displayed graphically.” Essentially, the WBS defines the “what” of the project. Everything you need to accomplish in the project is displayed in a single, easy-to-understand chart.

What are the three main approaches to developing a WBS?

There are three general approaches to building the WBS:Noun-Type Approaches. Noun-type approaches define the deliverable of the project work in terms of the components (physical or functional) that make up the deliverable. ... Verb-Type Approaches. ... Organizational Approaches.

What are the various types of WBS?

There are two main types of WBS: deliverable-based, and phase-based.

What is top-down and bottom-up approach in WBS?

Bottom-up estimating approach: Allows teams to estimate how long each sub-task will take. This time then rolls up into an overall time-to-project-completion estimate. Top-down estimating approach: Starting with an estimate of how long the entire project will take, then breaking it down into the various tasks.

What is the best type of WBS?

Deliverable-oriented WBS structures are the preferred type according to PMI's definition.

Which approach is best for WBS?

Top-down approachTop-down approach: Top-down approach states that you need to take the biggest task or module in the project and break it down. It requires more logic and structure, and generally, it is a preferred method for creating WBS.

What is a WBS?

Work breakdown structure (WBS): what it is and how to use it. A work breakdown structure is a visual breakdown of a project that’s organized into multiple levels. In basic terms, it’s a way to visualize required deliverables in a more digestible way. Since a work breakdown structure is displayed visually, it can be created using a combination ...

What is a WBS in project management?

First things first, let’s break down a work breakdown structure (WBS). Project managers use work breakdown structures to help teams visualize projects and dependency-related deliverables .

What is the work breakdown structure in project management?

Project managers use work breakdown structures to help teams visualize projects and dependency-related deliverables .

What is a WBS dictionary?

WBS dictionary. A work breakdown structure dictionary is a great place to start when beginning to build a new project structure. While not a traditional dictionary, the main purpose of the WBS dictionary is to explain each task in more detail.

What is a timeline in WBS?

Timelines are great tools to visualize work in a fun and colorful way. They’re also great at providing the necessary functionality for a WBS. Here are some of the functions you get using a timeline, also known as a flowchart or Gantt chart:

What are the visual methods used in a work breakdown?

Common visual methods that teams use include timelines, Kanban boards, and calendars.

What is a work breakdown?

A work breakdown structure is essentially a condensed project plan organized in a visual hierarchy. That means it contains everything that a successful project charter has, which includes WBS elements such as objectives, deliverables, timelines, and key stakeholders.

What is a WBS?

Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) is one of the most important project management documents that help you clarify the scope of work and assist in developing project planning.

What is the most important WBS principle?

This is the most important WBS principle and says WBS must include 100% of the project work and capture all internal, external, and interim deliverables. This rule applies to all levels of WBS, meaning the sum of the work at the lower level must equal 100% of the work represented by the upper level.

Why is WBS important?

WBS has great importance in project management. It provides clarity in the scope of work; you can identify all project activities easily, see the dependencies among the project tasks, avoid duplicate work, determine task duration, and calculate the budget for each work package.

Why assign work packages in WBS?

Since all work packages in WBS are independent, you can assign each work package to different team members. This increases responsibility and accountability.

What is a work breakdown structure?

Put simply, a Work Breakdown Structure is a visual, hierarchical breakdown of a project into smaller components.

How to develop a project schedule?

To develop your project schedule, you will break down work packages into activities and develop schedules. The schedule can be based on a Gantt chart or network diagrams, such as the critical path method, PERT, or Critical Chain Method.

What is the rule for work represented by activities in a work package?

This rule applies to an activity level as well. The work represented by activities in a work package must be equal to the work represented by the work package.

What is the difference between a WBS and a structured BOM?

While they may appear similar, there are important distinctions. A WBS Portrays the work to be done. The organization chart portrays the relationships between people who may be responsible for performing the work of a project. The structured BOM Portrays the objects that will be produced when the work is done. Three different functions, three different tools.

What are the rules for developing a WBS?

RULES FOR DEVELOPING A WBS. Uniqueness -An element of work is associated with one and only one higher level element. Care must be exercised in this regard to avoid duplication of work. Summative – The work content of an element is the sum of the work content of all its immediately subordinate elements.

Why is WBS important?

While the WBS is an essential element to provide stability of a project, it must be recognized that projects are used to manage change. Change in the project is usually inevitable as learning happens during the life of the project. Consideration should be given in developing the WBS as to how changed requirements and work content will be incorporated into the approved WBS. Change control is essential. The anomaly of projects is that, while they are the means for instituting change, change itself creates many of the problems on projects.

How to minimize problems in a project?

Managing-by-walking-around is one of the most effective ways to ferret out these potential problems. The most effective approach to minimizing these problems is to design the WBS in a manner that minimizes their potential. This is the essence of strategic planning of a project.

What is level 0 in WBS?

At each level the WBS elements should normally be specific deliverables. Level “0” is the end product of the project. Level “l” may be components of the end product but may also be a document that portrays the results, conclusions or recommendations of a phase of the project.

What are the mechanical aspects of developing a WBS?

Developing the WBS. The mechanical aspects of developing a WBS are quite simple. Napkins or the backs of envelopes are still useful devices. Additional discipline is added by introducing a hierarchical concept, permitting attention to be focused on different levels of detail as the process proceeds.

What is the purpose of WBS?

The primary purpose of the WBS is to aid the Project Manager (PM) in managing the project. Its concept is as simple as the answer to the question, “How do you eat an elephant?” Answer: “One bite at a time!” The WBS is a tool for dividing the elephant up into bite-size pieces. It looks similar to a family tree, with each generation being called a level. The top level is usually designated “level 0,” the next one down “level l,” etc.

Why use a WBS?

A project manager may use a WBS to manage, estimate, coordinate and monitor the status of a project. An effective work breakdown structure provides an overview of a project by stating the overall goal and breaking large tasks into smaller or more manageable deliverables. This can increase productivity and help teams track their success.

What is the top level of a WBS?

The top level of a WBS states the project's title and the final deliverable. You can start creating your WBS with this section by stating the overall scope of the project. Use clear language to identify what the completed project should look like so everyone on your team understands what goal they are working toward. The top level of a WBS can be a great tool to communicate your customer's expectations about the final project .

What are the 4 WBS levels?

To create an effective WBS, it's important to understand each of the four WBS levels. Project managers use these levels to prioritize and organize tasks based on what items need to be completed first to complete the final project. The four WBS levels you can implement in your organization are:

What is the work package level in WBS?

The work packages level of a WBS appears underneath the controls account level. This level breaks the key deliverables down into smaller, more manageable tasks. In order to be successful at the controls account level, teams need to first accomplish the tasks presented in the work packages level.

Why do companies use work breakdown structure?

Many companies use a work breakdown structure (WBS) for each of their projects to keep track of their progress and ensure they achieve their goals. As a project manager, it's essential to provide your team with clear instructions, develop an accurate timeline and assign tasks in an orderly fashion. If you're in charge of managing projects, then learning how to use each of the WBS levels to develop an organized action plan may interest you.

Why do project managers use WBS?

Many project managers choose to use a WBS because it provides a clear project overview and guidelines for their team, but using a WBS can provide several additional benefits . Implementing a WBS can help you:

What is a work breakdown?

A work breakdown structure provides the foundation and guidelines for a successful project. It itemizes unique tasks, milestones and key elements of a project by organizing them in a hierarchical structure to illustrate which items need to be completed first. Project managers can also use a WBS to assign different tasks and phases of the project life cycle to each team member.

How to create a WBS?

To create a WBS you must first identify the main deliverables of your project. Once this is done, you start breaking down the deliverables into smaller chunks of work and creating branches. You continue breaking down your tasks until you reach a point where they are manageable .

What is a WBS?

You use the WBS for scope control, including change management. The (WBS) is a hierarchical decomposition of a project into manageable chunks. It is graphical and shows all the project parts in an organized chart. Unlike a Gantt chart, it does not show the tasks organized in sequence over time.

What is a WBS chart?

The work breakdown structure (WBS) is a chart that outlines a project’s deliverables and components; it’s used to provide clarity on what the project needs to deliver. The WBS is created as a hierarchy of things that the project will produce and organizes a team’s work into manageable chunks. The hierarchy is usually two to four levels deep.

Why is WBS important?

Since the WBS breaks out and assigns all tasks to individuals, it clarifies who is responsible for which aspect of work and includes due dates for each deliverable. Team members gain a clear understanding of how their work contributes to meeting each deliverable and ultimately the overall project goals.

What is WBS in planning?

The WBS serves as a framework for all subsequent planning activities so it needs to be clear and SMART with consistent levels of detail and breakdown on deliverables.

What is the level of detail in a WBS?

The level of detail in a WBS will depend on your project size, organization, and level of detail, but a good rule of thumb is to have a plan that is agile enough that you’re not spending your entire working week trying to keep it up to date!

What is a work breakdown structure?

Work Breakdown Structure: A deliverable-oriented collection of project components. Work that isn’t in the WBS isn’t in the project. The point of the WBS is to organize and define the project scope.

How Do You Create a Construction WBS?

To create a construction work breakdown structure, take the end goal of a project — a finished building — and sequentially break it down into smaller units until you reach the smallest element of work.

How to use WBS in construction?

A work breakdown structure for construction usually has at least three levels. Put the final product on the first level, major deliverables on the second, and work packages on the third. A so-called WBS dictionary usually accompanies the work breakdown structure diagram.

Who Do You Need to Include in a Construction Project WBS?

Major project participants, including architects, engineers, general contractors, financial managers, and owners, contribute to the WBS. The project manager typically owns the WBS and controls any changes.

What is deliverable oriented WBS?

In construction, the elements of a deliverable-oriented WBS are physical components of the building or interim deliverables that you need in order to produce pieces of the building. Interim deliverables can include plans and specifications.

What is a WBS dictionary?

A so-called WBS dictionary usually accompanies the work breakdown structure diagram. The dictionary defines each element of the building work, including deliverables, milestones, resources, and construction methods. In construction, building information modeling (BIM) data often appears in WBS dictionaries, because the standardized system makes it easy for everyone on the project to speak the same language.

What is a WBS?

The WBS is a single document that divides the project deliverables into manageable chunks known as work packages. Project managers create a visual representation of the construction WBS; the image resembles a family tree or an organization chart. At the very top of the diagram, the finished building (or parent) appears.

Why do we use phase based WBS?

The phase-based WBS a rose in part to ease the transition from a deliverable WBS to a project schedule. Those who favor the deliverable WBS say that you can solve this transition issue by planning your project properly and creating a full set of construction documents. Planners translate the deliverables into activities and milestones, then create a project schedule network diagram. This diagram, which consists of boxes and corresponding arrows indicating the flow of work, is the basis of the project schedule.