Design documents, manuals, the delivered system, functional approach structure the work based on development activities and project functions examples. A coding scheme also helps wbs elements to be recognized in any written context. Wbs is a hierarchical model of all the work required to produce the projects outputs. Project planning event and conference management event. The work breakdown structure wbs has long served as a valuable tool in helping project managers plan deliverables and detail project scope. It defines and structures the total scope of the project because it starts from the deliverables as stated and then decomposes the work and the smaller sections. This paper examines the dimensions that are involved in developing a wbs that can help project teams successfully realize their project goals. The work breakdown structure wbs step helps accomplish the following key objectives. As the discipline has matured, project professionals have expanded and matured the wbs concept.
If the project can be estimated or designed based on these models then the information is better communicated. This work breakdown structure template provides a good set of wbs examples. The pd is to structure the project work into wbs elements work packages. Steps to create a wbs identify the major deliverables. Project scope statement was created together with wbs and wbs dictionary in one application. Work breakdown structure template systemation blog.
The work breakdown structure visually defines the scope into manageable. A work breakdown structure wbs identifies tasks and deliverables associated with a project. A work breakdown structure, commonly abbreviated wbs, is a key project deliverable that is utilized to organize a project teams work and responsibilities into compact sections that are more manageable. An online project management tool based on the open source software redmine is available from the universitys it service centre. A work breakdown structure creates an efficient work flow from preconstruction through the. Free work breakdown structure templates project management. The work breakdown structure is a deliverableoriented, hierarchical decomposition of the work to be completed by the project team. Festival editable work breakdown structure template on. Pdf work breakdown structure pdf work breakdown structure download.
It is a tool which helps to easily communicate the work and processes involved to execute the project. They are usually in the form of a flow chart where the orientation of a product or a service is done by the use of boxes and. Its the foundation for estimating, budgeting, sequencing and scheduling of activities, reporting, and controlling a project. Festival editable work breakdown structure template on creately. Work breakdown structure element dictionary concept development procedures are subject to change without notice. Applying work breakdown structure to project lifecycle. As you can see from this work breakdown structure example, it required not that much of an effort. Project management using work breakdown structure wbs. The work breakdown structure wbs provides a view of your project based on activities. The timeline specifies the order in which packages of project tasks are to be completed. The project manager and project team use the wbs to develop the project schedule, resource requirements and costs.
According to the project management body of knowledge pmbok, a work breakdown structure wbs is a hierarchical decomposition of the total scope of work to be carried out by the project team to accomplish the project objectives and create the required deliverables. Work breakdown structure dictionary was controlled and tracked. Figure 1 wbs construction example the above wbs is from pmis practice standard for work breakdown structures. They can be used to break down data, services or a product or a combination of these three. This document makes it easy for employees to perform their duties and it puts the tasks in an order. Work breakdown structure a work breakdown structure wbs is a decomposition of all the work necessary to complete a project. It is a product oriented structure, not an organizational structure. During the process of developing a visual work breakdown structure, youll identify and fill in your project planning blind spots. The work breakdown structure wbs is a view into the project which shows what work the project encompasses. Simply click to open the template, and then customize the information, layout, and design. A wbs is arranged in a hierarchy and constructed to allow for clear and logical groupings, either by activities or deliverables. A work breakdown structure wbs is a fundamental project management technique for. Specifically on large projects, it is practically impossible for one person to consider all the work necessary to complete the project. Creating the work breakdown structure the wbs can be structured in either of two ways.
The work breakdown structure is the tool used to divide the project work content among individ uals and organizations so that ef ciency and effectiveness will be achieved while ensuring the inte gration of work efforts to produce the projectrequired deliverables. Editable work breakdown structure template to plan your work. It looks like the organisational structure of a company or a family tree. Applying a work breakdown structure figure 1 shows an example of a wbs that lays out a plan for a generator installation to an existing distribution system. Free work breakdown structure template to download. It is created on the basis of the work breakdown structure. The wbs dictionary is a key project definition tool that defines indepth the scope for each work element. A work breakdown structure or wbs is a common term in project management. Each level of the wbs represents an increasingly detailed description of the project work by activity.
Approaches to develop work breakdown structures resultoriented approach structure the work based on the work products activityoriented approach structure the work based on development activities and project functions geographical area approach structure the work based on geographical location organizational approach. The highlevel elements in the wbs should match, wordforword, the nouns used to describe the outcomes of the project in the scope statement. Concept development wbs work breakdown structure dictionary. The template is fully editable with excel and can be converted or changed to suit specific project requirements. Structure the work based on geographical location organizational approach. Unfortunately, the business pressures driving projects have often prevented project managers from developing a comprehensive wbs. To get you started, here are a number of work breakdown structure templates you can use. What is wbs work breakdown structure in project management. The work breakdown structure provides a common framework for the natural development of the overall planning and control of a contract and is the basis for dividing work into definable increments from which the statement of work can be developed and technical, schedule, cost, and labor hour reporting can be established a work breakdown structure permits summing of. One project may include several phases, or also smaller subprojects. Preliminary engineering wbs work breakdown structure. Download work breakdown structure template for free formtemplate offers you hundreds of resume templates that you can choose the one that suits your work experience and sense of design.
How to create a work breakdown structure wbs pm documents. Also, please note that you dont have to put everything a textbook prescribes. The procedure of work breakdown is the key for estimation. Structure the work based on the work products examples. A gantt chart uses horizontal bars in a lineartype calendar. Applying the work breakdown structure to the project. These components are further decomposed until a required person from the team can be assigned.
Develop work breakdown structure introduction the table below provides several templates you can use to help develop a work breakdown structure. A work breakdown structure or wbs for short is a chart or document used to organize project work into a list of focus areas so that all work stays on track to meet project goals. Before we dive further into the benefits and impact of a wbs, there are a few additional definitions you should know. The main project tasks have been subdivided separating the new work from the existing installation that needs to be reworked. Managers use wbs to break down their projects into easily manageable components. The wbs and wbs dictionary should not be static documents. Download work breakdown structure template for free. It guarantees that the group comprehends what work must be finished in a proper format. The efficiency of a work breakdown structure can determine the success of a project. But to confront the challenges of working in todays volatile economic environment, project managers are increasingly using. Breakdown structures wbs as they begin the process of. A wbs dictionary is generally presented in a table or spreadsheet format and. How to improve productivity with a work breakdown structure. For example, the wbs utilizes the project charter as its starting point.
To develop and maintain a wbs, you must have a clear understanding of the projects. Youll sharpen your knowledge by answering questions about what work breakdown structure is, as well as its components, advantages, and risks. The lowest level describes a package of work that can be. Cdc unified process practices guide work breakdown structure up version. Create a work breakdown structure outline, diagram, or dictionary template. The purpose of this document is to provide guidance on the practice of developing a work breakdown structure and to describe the practice overview, requirements, best practices, activities, and key terms related to this requirement. Example of work breakdown structure applied in a nasa reporting structure. A wbs is one of the most critical components of a successful project because it forces the project team to carefully consider all the pieces of a project. Work breakdown structures a work breakdown structure is a deliverableoriented hierarchical decomposition of the work to be executed by the project team to accomplish the project objectives and create the required deliverables. In this movie, author richard harrington walks you through how to create a work breakdown structure. Tausworthe jet propllsiotl lrrhoultop the work breakdown structure wbs is a vehicle for breaking an engineering project down into subproject, tasks, subtasks, work packages, and so on.
In the tree structure of a wbs, project deliverables and activities are broken down into manageable parts. One work breakdown structure example that will make it clear. The project management body of knowledge defines the work breakdown structure as a deliverable oriented hierarchical decomposition of the work to be executed by the project team. It defines and structures the total scope of the project because it starts from the deliverables as stated and. Defining the process known as a work breakdown structure the key is applying installations to job specific construction models. For example, a repetitive deliverable that is identified by number can be easily resourced, costed or scheduled programmatically from.
In addition, the resource breakdown structure rbs describes the projects. The work breakdown structure is a document that is important to project management its a simple hierarchy document like a tree that shows you all of the major elements of a project that need to be planned for. Simply put, a work breakdown structure is a hierarchical decomposition of the scopework that needs to be estimated and executed during the course of the project in order to accomplish the project objectives and deliverables. Though it sounds so simple, a wbs has enormous strength and influence to convert complex requirementsscope into small.
Project managers have long relied on work breakdown structures wbs to help them effectively and efficiently plan and implement projects. The contents of the template are shown below and hints and tips are includes in the template. Number work breakdown structure element description environmental screening report cd 2. Project work breakdown structure wbs september 28, 2012. Even subprojects can be broken down into smaller bits. Task identification and work breakdown structure san jose state. Developing and elaborating effective work breakdown structures. The first approach structures the wbs primarily from a deliverables perspective, in that the highest level level 1 entries represent the major deliverables that the project is committed to create. Whether you prefer big chunks or minute details, youll benefit from creating a wbs with the help of our killer guide and free work breakdown structure template. Jun 17, 2014 this article describes one of the most important tools the wbs work breakdown structure for understanding and decomposing project scope and also the various advantagessuccesses that a project team could derive if a wbs is wellprepared and used through the duration of the project. Whether you are new to project management and working on your pmp. Work breakdown structure templates editable online or.
Free work breakdown structure templates project management docs. The work breakdown structure wbs is a hierarchical decomposition of the work to be completed in order to achieve the project deliverables. Better allocation when there is a clear plan of action, allocating time and resources becomes much less complicated. Therefore, one should take creating wbs as a critical step in the process of project management. Breaking down the work is the first stage of project planning and essential for managing project scope. Edit this wbs template online using our tool and easily visualize your project work. Dividing tasks in their distinguishing components makes it easy to perform them in an organized. Blank risk management plan templatejpg risk management plan template 9 download free documents in pdf risk management plan template. Breakdown structure wbs and other supporting documents. Another example of a project wbs using the 100% method is shown below.
This is a free work breakdown structure wbs template in excel and pdf. Work breakdown structure template click on image to modify online. It is a tree diagram in which the project is broken down into deliverables and subdeliverables needed to accomplish the project objectives. A work breakdown structure is your map through more complicated projects. The work breakdown structure in software project management robert c. Collaboration features to do the breakdown as a team. One of the project managers most important tools the work breakdown structure is one of the most important project management tools you have as a project manager.
A wbs is arranged in a hierarchy and constructed to allow for clear and logical. Creately diagrams can be exported and added to word, ppt powerpoint, excel, visio or any other document. Provides a clear framework for assigning to individuals a clear task definition. Use the table below to provide the version number, the author implementing the version, the date of the version, the name of the person approving the version, the date that particular version was approved, and a brief description of the reason for creating the revised version. Work breakdown structures objectoriented software engineering. The wbs provides the foundation for all project management work, including, planning, cost and effort estimation, resource allocation, and scheduling. A work breakdown structure template is a document that arranges a work project into its relevant portion. Work breakdown structure rev e, june 2003 work breakdown structure a project work breakdown structure wbs is a deliverable or product oriented grouping of project work elements shown in graph ical display to organize and subdivide the total work scope of a project. For example, if youre creating a work breakdown structure for manufacturing a car, youll include items such as car body a deliverable, not welding steel an activity. Presenters christopher bucksa, senior project manager, university services pmo. In addition, templates relevant to this practice are provided at the end of this guide. Use pdf export for high quality prints and svg export for large sharp images or embed your diagrams anywhere with the creately viewer. Risk management plan template 9 download free documents in pdf risk. A work breakdown structure wbs is a decomposition of all the work necessary to complete a project.
Pdf work breakdown structure major revisions to a wbs require both substantial effort and resources, due to pdf reader aloud its. Figure 1 at the construction stage, a wbs helps manage. In so doing, you gain clarity into the details needed to accomplish every aspect of your project. The aggregation of all the work to be performed in a project. Oct 27, 2016 managers use wbs to break down their projects into easily manageable components. Once the dod saw how well these work breakdown systems functioned, they applied them across the. The concept is used each time a new project is designed and is created before entering any data into a microsoft project file. Todays work breakdown systems can be traced back to u. Work breakdown structure element dictionary preliminary engineering procedures are subject to change without notice. Department of defense dod systems from the late 1950s and early 1960s organizations like nasa and the u. A work breakdown structure is a key project deliverable that organizes the teams work into manageable sections.
View work breakdown structure research papers on academia. Free work breakdown structure templates smartsheet. A work breakdown structure is usually used in companies or start ups that would like to handle their projects more efficiently. Check the capital project delivery website to ensure this is the current version. How to create a work breakdown structure lucidchart blog. The work breakdown structure in software project management. Drafts are created during the project definition phase of the project then details are flushed out during.
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