Project work breakdown structure wbs is a hierarchical listing of the individual work elements of a project. A signal processor, for example, is clearly a product, as are mock ups and computer software configuration items. Norman, pmp, pgmp introduction today, project managers are more frequently finding high value in the creation of work breakdown structures wbs as they begin the process of project management. Wbs hierarchical list of projects work activities t wo formats outline indented format graphical tree organizational chart uses a decimal numbering system ex. A gantt chart uses horizontal bars in a lineartype calendar. A pert chart is a project management tool used to schedule, organize, and.
The work breakdown structure visually defines the scope into manageable chunks that a project team can. A brief synopsis, a process plant construction work breakdown structure in both word and excel, and a pdf appendix of the process plant construction work breakdown structure wbs example. The schedule that lists, organizes, and describes the dependencies of the detailed work tasks work breakdown structure wbs the list of hierarchy of activities and tasks of a project. In this article, well define the project management process and cover each phase of project management. Work breakdown structure or wbs is a hierarchical tree structure that outlines your project and breaks it down into smaller, more manageable portions. Project work breakdown structure wbs september 28, 2012. The following discussion will examine the current trends and practice regarding work breakdown structures. The project management institute pmi defines the wbs as follows. The scope of a project and the totality of the work are defined in the wbs, and failing to do so early can result in rework, schedule impacts, resource misallocations. Developing and elaborating effective work breakdown structures. As the discipline has matured, project professionals have expanded and matured the wbs concept.
This is the skeleton of your project plan, and getting it straight and strong is essential to building the rest of your plan and moving ahead with your project successfully. What is work breakdown structure in project management. Breaking up a project into smaller components facilitates project management. This content was copied from view the original, and get the alreadycompleted solution here. In your project you will want to develop them down to a much more detailed level using the 8 to 80 rule where the wbs is broken down to where a work package contains between 8 and 80 hours of work to complete. Pdf the work breakdown structure in software project management.
The work breakdown structure in software project management robert c. Creately diagrams can be exported and added to word, ppt powerpoint, excel, visio or any other document. Project management work breakdown structure youtube. If youre interested in viewing industryspecific examples of wbs templates, refer to the practice standard published by project management institute in 2006.
On the other hand, things such as design engineering, requirements. The work breakdown structure in software project management article pdf available in journal of systems and software. Constructing the work breakdown structure project management. The 5 process groups of project management the project management process is a series of phases that represent the evolution of a productfrom concept to delivery, maturity, and finally retirement. It must exist before the project manager can plan these related and vital aspects of the.
This paper examines the dimensions that are involved in developing a wbs that can help project teams successfully realize their project goals. In this example, the wbs coding scheme includes a trailing underscore. Creating the work breakdown structure by kim colenso, managing principal, artemis management systems. Wbswork breakdown structure, planning and control constitute only 10. Collaboration features to do the breakdown as a team. The template below uses an outline or list type of presentation.
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. As stated earlier the work breakdown structure wbs is one of the most important tools in project management. 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. This zip file contains the white paper the work breakdown structure. A work breakdown structure is a key project deliverable that organizes the teams work into manageable sections.
The main project tasks have been subdivided separating the new work from the existing installation that needs to be reworked. The work breakdown structure wbs is a vehicle for breaking an engineering project down into subproject, tasks, subtasks, work packages, and so on. Activities are where deliverables are assigned to an. The lowest level components in the wbs are your work packages. For the purpose of examples, the phase is at level 1. The rule that states that no single element of a work breakdown structure should be less than 8 hours, or greater than 80 hours. Editable work breakdown structure template to plan your work. At the same time the links between the practice of wbswork breakdown structure and its intention for planning and control are in keeping with the original intent of ijpm. In order to save space in this work breakdown structure template we only developed the wbs examples down to the third level. Work breakdown structure project management knowledge.
You can edit this template and create your own diagram. All about work breakdown structures wbs smartsheet. Process plant construction work breakdown structure wbs. Project managers are responsible for the creation of a. Use pdf export for high quality prints and svg export for large sharp images or embed your diagrams anywhere with the creately viewer. Applying the work breakdown structure to the project management lifecycle shelly a. 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. Standard pm wbs template for non infrastructure projects. Work breakdown structure wbs refers to a portion of a total project management plan that is used by the project management team to organize a project into manageable objectives and create a blueprint by which the steps leading to the completion of a project are obtained the work breakdown structure can be thought of like an outline of the project and like an outline, becomes more detailed. Applying the work breakdown structure to the project. The work breakdown structure wbs is the foundation for project planning and control.
We have lots of project management templates to give you a foothold on every aspect of your project, including a free wbs template so you can get started right away. A work breakdown structure wbs is a fundamental project management. Figure 1 wbs construction example the above wbs is from pmis practice standard for work breakdown structures. A coding scheme also helps wbs elements to be recognized in any written context. Understanding the project at a detailed level is the key to developing a roadmap to success. The work breakdown structure wbs is a foundation tool for effective project management and yet its creation is often undertaken without appropriate team involvement or buyin. If a narrative definition is not as helpful as having a wbs to play with, dont worry. Creating the work breakdown structure the wbs can be structured in either of two ways. A workbreakdown structure wbs in project management and systems engineering, is a deliverableoriented breakdown of a project into smaller components. The project management body of knowledge, an internationally recognized collection of processes and knowledge areas accepted as best practice for the project management profession, defines the work breakdown structure as 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. Simplifying project management neellohit burghate dept.
Applying the work breakdown structure to the project management lifecycle. Typical examples of the contribution the wbs makes to other processes are. Work breakdown structure project management production. These resources are presented from the pmi practice standard for work breakdown. Practice standard for work breakdown structures wbs second edition reaffirmed. Preparation of a wbs is one of the key steps in project planning. 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. Project management scope refers to all of the products, services, and results provided by your project. It organizes the work of the project into logical groupings similar to a milestone chart but displays the information in a tree form or an outline form. Project management practices 5 work breakdown structure rev e, june 2003 do not include elements that are not products.
The importance of the wbs experienced project managers know there are many things that can go wrong in projects. Work breakdown structure information, software and wbs samples. The human resource function of a work breakdown structure. For example, in a construction project, civil engineers and architects. The project management body of knowledge pmbok 5 defines the workbreakdown structure a hierarchical decomposition of the. Pdf the work breakdown structure in software project. Work breakdown structure wbs project management docs. Figure 1 at the construction stage, a wbs helps manage. How to create a work breakdown structure wbs in project. The pd is to structure the project work into wbs elements work packages. Project managers have long relied on work breakdown structures wbs to help them effectively and efficiently plan and implement projects.
Learn how a project scope statement and work breakdown structure can help prevent scope creep. Work breakdown structure project management institute. Related articles about the work breakdown structure. 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.
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