Scribd
Upload
165 views

Work Breakdown Structure

Uploaded by

Nouman Sabir
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PPT, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
165 views

Work Breakdown Structure

Uploaded by

Nouman Sabir
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PPT, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 11

Project Management – PMBOK®

Work Breakdown Structure


Ti
tle

(WBS)

Dr Marc Conrad
Office: D104 – Park Square
[email protected]

Marc Conrad
17.04.20 University of Bedfordshire 1
Project Management Processes
(Initiation)
Project Management Plan
Initiation Scope WBS
Project Charter (definition)

ject Scope
Pro
ent
Statem

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)

• Used as a basis for a number of processes in


particular to produce the subsidiary plans of the
Project Management Plan.
WB

• The WBS is a deliverable-oriented hierarchy of


decomposed project components that organises
S

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.

Marc Conrad
17.04.20 University of Bedfordshire 4
The Dictionary of the WBS
• 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
WB

milestones.
S

• 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.

Marc Conrad
17.04.20 University of Bedfordshire 5
• Redecorate Room
 Prepare materials
 Buy paint
 Buy a ladder
 Buy brushes/rollers
Example WBS  Buy wallpaper remover
 Prepare room
WB

 Remove old wallpaper


S

 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
 Remove covers
Marc Conrad
17.04.20 University of Bedfordshire 6
Developing the WBS

• Divide the total work of the project into


major groups...
• ...then subdivide these groups into
WB
S

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

Marc Conrad
17.04.20 University of Bedfordshire 7
Product Breakdown Structure
• Redecorated Room
 Removed old wallpaper
 Clean room
 Cover for furniture
 Cover for electrical
PB

switches
S

 Newspapers to cover
• Focus on the product floor.
to be delivered and not  Paint
on the work to do.  Paint on wall
• Underpins PRINCE2®  Leftover paint
“product-based”  Management products
approach.  Ladder
 Brushes and rollers

Marc Conrad
17.04.20 University of Bedfordshire 8
“Scope Breakdown Structure”
(Max Wideman’s approach)
• Geographically discrete components
• Time based phases and stages
• Intermediate or final major deliverables
SB
S

• 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!
http://www.maxwideman.com/musings/wbswar.htm
Marc Conrad
17.04.20 University of Bedfordshire 9
Scope Breakdown Structure
(Max Wideman redecorates a room)
• Redecorated Room
 Painted wall
 Buy paint
 Buy ladder
 Buy brushes or rollers
SB

 Paint room
S

 New curtains
• Note the noun
phrases on the top  …
levels (scope • Content Family
breakdown) and
the activities on
 A clean room
the lower levels!  Cover floor with old newspapers
 Cover electrical outlets/switches with tape
 Cover furniture with sheets
 Dinner in a restaurant
 …
 Decision on colours
Marc Conrad
17.04.20  of…
University Bedfordshire 10
Summary

• The WBS is used to define the


activities that are then further
managed.
Su
mm

• Consider alternatives:
ary

 Work Breakdown Structure


 Product Breakdown Structure
 Scope Breakdown Structure
• Use Common Sense in Breakdown the
Project.

Marc Conrad
17.04.20 University of Bedfordshire 11

You might also like