86
The A to Z of the Work Breakdown Structures By Nader Khorrami Rad, PMP ver 1.0 The A to Z of the Work Breakdown Structures 1
The A to Z of the Work Breakdown Structures
1
By Nader Khorrami Rad, PMPver 1.0
The A to Z of the Work Breakdown Structures
The A to Z of the Work Breakdown Structures
2
Part 1Introduction
The A to Z of the Work Breakdown Structures
3
1.1.How We Manage Things
The A to Z of the Work Breakdown Structures
4
1.2.Grouping the Project Work
The A to Z of the Work Breakdown Structures
5
1.3.Why Should We Base the WBS on Products?
The A to Z of the Work Breakdown Structures
6
Grouping / organizing project work based on its products or results is called:
Work Breakdown Structure(WBS)
The A to Z of the Work Breakdown Structures
7
The elements of the final product or result of a project, which is the output of
the activities is called:
Deliverable
All deliverables together = final product
The A to Z of the Work Breakdown Structures
8
The sixth core principle of the PRINCE2:
Focus on Products
A successful project is output-oriented not activity-oriented.
The A to Z of the Work Breakdown Structures
9
The most important aspect of focusing on products:
Work is subject to strategies and usually change, but deliverables do not change as often.
The A to Z of the Work Breakdown Structures
10
Alternative 1: - Zone 1
- Place reinforcing bars in zone 1- Prepare formworks in zone 1- Pour concrete in zone 1
- Zone 2- Place reinforcing bars in zone 2- Prepare formworks in zone 2- Pour concrete in zone 2
Alternative 2: - Placing reinforcing bars
- Place reinforcing bars in zone 1- Place reinforcing bars in zone 2
- Preparing formworks- Prepare formworks in zone 1- Prepare formworks in zone 2
- Pouring concrete- Pour concrete in zone 1- Pour concrete in zone 2
Which one is better?
The A to Z of the Work Breakdown Structures
11
Alternative 1: - Zone 1
- Place reinforcing bars in zone 1- Prepare formworks in zone 1- Pour concrete in zone 1
- Zone 2- Place reinforcing bars in zone 2- Prepare formworks in zone 2- Pour concrete in zone 2
Alternative 2: - Placing reinforcing bars
- Place reinforcing bars in zone 1- Place reinforcing bars in zone 2
- Preparing formworks- Prepare formworks in zone 1- Prepare formworks in zone 2
- Pouring concrete- Pour concrete in zone 1- Pour concrete in zone 2
Which one is better?Real deliverables Not main deliverables
The A to Z of the Work Breakdown Structures
12
Alternative 1: - Zone 1
- Place reinforcing bars in zone 1- Prepare formworks in zone 1- Pour concrete in zone 1
- Zone 2- Place reinforcing bars in zone 2- Prepare formworks in zone 2- Pour concrete in zone 2
Alternative 2: - Placing reinforcing bars
- Place reinforcing bars in zone 1- Place reinforcing bars in zone 2
- Preparing formworks- Prepare formworks in zone 1- Prepare formworks in zone 2
- Pouring concrete- Pour concrete in zone 1- Pour concrete in zone 2
Which one is better?
Deliverable
Based Activity
Based
The A to Z of the Work Breakdown Structures
13
1.4.From a Simple Grouping to a Hierarchy
The A to Z of the Work Breakdown Structures
14
When we are dealing with large number of items, a simple one-level grouping would not be enough.
The A to Z of the Work Breakdown Structures
15
1200 items; very hard to manage
▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪
The A to Z of the Work Breakdown Structures
16
1200 items, grouped in 120 grouping elementsstill hard to manage
❿ ❿ ❿ ❿ ❿ ❿ ❿ ❿ ❿ ❿ ❿ ❿ ❿ ❿ ❿ ❿ ❿ ❿ ❿ ❿ ❿ ❿ ❿ ❿ ❿ ❿ ❿ ❿ ❿ ❿ ❿ ❿ ❿ ❿ ❿ ❿ ❿ ❿ ❿ ❿ ❿ ❿ ❿ ❿ ❿ ❿ ❿ ❿ ❿ ❿ ❿ ❿ ❿ ❿ ❿ ❿ ❿ ❿ ❿ ❿ ❿ ❿ ❿ ❿ ❿ ❿ ❿ ❿ ❿ ❿ ❿ ❿ ❿ ❿ ❿ ❿ ❿ ❿ ❿ ❿ ❿ ❿ ❿ ❿ ❿ ❿ ❿ ❿ ❿ ❿ ❿ ❿ ❿ ❿ ❿ ❿ ❿ ❿ ❿ ❿ ❿ ❿ ❿ ❿ ❿ ❿ ❿ ❿ ❿ ❿ ❿ ❿ ❿ ❿ ❿ ❿ ❿ ❿ ❿ ❿ ❿ ❿ ❿ ❿ ❿ ❿
Each group consists of 10 items
▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪
Grouping in one level
The A to Z of the Work Breakdown Structures
17
1200 itemsgrouped in 120 grouping elements
and those grouping elements themselves are grouped in 12 higher level elementit’s now manageable!
❿ ❿ ❿ ❿ ❿ ❿ ❿ ❿ ❿ ❿
Grouping in two levels
▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪
The A to Z of the Work Breakdown Structures
18
grouping item 1❿ grouping item 1.1
■ item 1.1.1■ item 1.1.2■ item 1.1.3■ item 1.1.4
❿ grouping item 1.2❿ grouping item 1.3
grouping item 2❿ grouping item 2.1❿ grouping item 2.2❿ grouping item 2.3❿ grouping item 2.4
The actual items
The second level of grouping
The first level of grouping
The multi-level groupings are
called hierarchies
The A to Z of the Work Breakdown Structures
19
Another visual representation of the previous hierarchy
The Whole Structure
Item 1.1.1 Item 1.1.2 Item 1.1.3
Grouping Item 1.1
Grouping Item 1.2
Grouping Item 1.3
Grouping Item 1
Grouping Item 2
Item 1.1.4
The A to Z of the Work Breakdown Structures
20
WBS is a hierarchical decomposition of the project work, based on deliverables.
The A to Z of the Work Breakdown Structures
21
1.5.Grouping and Summarization
The A to Z of the Work Breakdown Structures
22
Grouping is used for organizing things.Organizing things makes it easier to manage them.
Managing is not possible without summarized information.
We also use groupings to provide summarized information.
The A to Z of the Work Breakdown Structures
23
Name Cost
Master grouping element
Grouping element 1
item 1.1 1,500 €item 1.2 800 €item 1.3 2,400 €
Grouping element 2
item 2.1 500 €item 2.2 950 €
The A to Z of the Work Breakdown Structures
24
Name Cost
Master grouping element
Grouping element 1 ?
item 1.1 1,500 €item 1.2 800 €item 1.3 2,400 €
Grouping element 2 ?
item 2.1 500 €item 2.2 950 €
The A to Z of the Work Breakdown Structures
25
Name Cost
Master grouping element
Grouping element 1 4,700 €item 1.1 1,500 €item 1.2 800 €item 1.3 2,400 €
Grouping element 2 1,450 €item 2.1 500 €item 2.2 950 €
The A to Z of the Work Breakdown Structures
26
Name Cost
Master grouping element ?
Grouping element 1 4,700 €item 1.1 1,500 €item 1.2 800 €item 1.3 2,400 €
Grouping element 2 1,450 €item 2.1 500 €item 2.2 950 €
The A to Z of the Work Breakdown Structures
27
Name Cost
Master grouping element 6,150 € Grouping element 1 4,700 €
item 1.1 1,500 €item 1.2 800 €item 1.3 2,400 €
Grouping element 2 1,450 €item 2.1 500 €item 2.2 950 €
The A to Z of the Work Breakdown Structures
28
Name Cost Start
Master grouping element 6,150 € Grouping element 1 4,700 €
item 1.1 1,500 € Jan 1
item 1.2 800 € Jan 8
item 1.3 2,400 € Jan 12
Grouping element 2 1,450 €item 2.1 500 € Jan 3
item 2.2 950 € Jan 6
The A to Z of the Work Breakdown Structures
29
Name Cost Start
Master grouping element 6,150 € Grouping element 1 4,700 € ?
item 1.1 1,500 € Jan 1
item 1.2 800 € Jan 8
item 1.3 2,400 € Jan 12
Grouping element 2 1,450 € ?
item 2.1 500 € Jan 3
item 2.2 950 € Jan 6
The A to Z of the Work Breakdown Structures
30
Name Cost Start
Master grouping element 6,150 € Grouping element 1 4,700 € Jan 1
item 1.1 1,500 € Jan 1
item 1.2 800 € Jan 8
item 1.3 2,400 € Jan 12
Grouping element 2 1,450 € Jan 3
item 2.1 500 € Jan 3
item 2.2 950 € Jan 6
The A to Z of the Work Breakdown Structures
31
Name Cost Start
Master grouping element 6,150 € ?
Grouping element 1 4,700 € Jan 1
item 1.1 1,500 € Jan 1
item 1.2 800 € Jan 8
item 1.3 2,400 € Jan 12
Grouping element 2 1,450 € Jan 3
item 2.1 500 € Jan 3
item 2.2 950 € Jan 6
The A to Z of the Work Breakdown Structures
32
Name Cost Start
Master grouping element 6,150 € Jan 1
Grouping element 1 4,700 € Jan 1
item 1.1 1,500 € Jan 1
item 1.2 800 € Jan 8
item 1.3 2,400 € Jan 12
Grouping element 2 1,450 € Jan 3
item 2.1 500 € Jan 3
item 2.2 950 € Jan 6
The A to Z of the Work Breakdown Structures
33
Name Cost Start Finish
Master grouping element 6,150 € Jan 1
Grouping element 1 4,700 € Jan 1
item 1.1 1,500 € Jan 1 Jan 3
item 1.2 800 € Jan 8 Jan 12
item 1.3 2,400 € Jan 12 Jan 18
Grouping element 2 1,450 € Jan 3
item 2.1 500 € Jan 3 Jan 6
item 2.2 950 € Jan 6 Jan 11
The A to Z of the Work Breakdown Structures
34
Name Cost Start Finish
Master grouping element 6,150 € Jan 1
Grouping element 1 4,700 € Jan 1 ?
item 1.1 1,500 € Jan 1 Jan 3
item 1.2 800 € Jan 8 Jan 12
item 1.3 2,400 € Jan 12 Jan 18
Grouping element 2 1,450 € Jan 3 ?
item 2.1 500 € Jan 3 Jan 6
item 2.2 950 € Jan 6 Jan 11
The A to Z of the Work Breakdown Structures
35
Name Cost Start Finish
Master grouping element 6,150 € Jan 1
Grouping element 1 4,700 € Jan 1 Jan 18
item 1.1 1,500 € Jan 1 Jan 3
item 1.2 800 € Jan 8 Jan 12
item 1.3 2,400 € Jan 12 Jan 18
Grouping element 2 1,450 € Jan 3 Jan 11
item 2.1 500 € Jan 3 Jan 6
item 2.2 950 € Jan 6 Jan 11
The A to Z of the Work Breakdown Structures
36
Name Cost Start Finish
Master grouping element 6,150 € Jan 1 ?
Grouping element 1 4,700 € Jan 1 Jan 18
item 1.1 1,500 € Jan 1 Jan 3
item 1.2 800 € Jan 8 Jan 12
item 1.3 2,400 € Jan 12 Jan 18
Grouping element 2 1,450 € Jan 3 Jan 11
item 2.1 500 € Jan 3 Jan 6
item 2.2 950 € Jan 6 Jan 11
The A to Z of the Work Breakdown Structures
37
Name Cost Start Finish
Master grouping element 6,150 € Jan 1 Jan 18
Grouping element 1 4,700 € Jan 1 Jan 18
item 1.1 1,500 € Jan 1 Jan 3
item 1.2 800 € Jan 8 Jan 12
item 1.3 2,400 € Jan 12 Jan 18
Grouping element 2 1,450 € Jan 3 Jan 11
item 2.1 500 € Jan 3 Jan 6
item 2.2 950 € Jan 6 Jan 11
The A to Z of the Work Breakdown Structures
38
Name Cost Start Finish Duration
Master grouping element 6,150 € Jan 1 Jan 18
Grouping element 1 4,700 € Jan 1 Jan 18
item 1.1 1,500 € Jan 1 Jan 3 2 days
item 1.2 800 € Jan 8 Jan 12 4 days
item 1.3 2,400 € Jan 12 Jan 18 6 days
Grouping element 2 1,450 € Jan 3 Jan 11
item 2.1 500 € Jan 3 Jan 6 3 days
item 2.2 950 € Jan 6 Jan 11 5 days
The A to Z of the Work Breakdown Structures
39
Name Cost Start Finish Duration
Master grouping element 6,150 € Jan 1 Jan 18
Grouping element 1 4,700 € Jan 1 Jan 18 ?
item 1.1 1,500 € Jan 1 Jan 3 2 days
item 1.2 800 € Jan 8 Jan 12 4 days
item 1.3 2,400 € Jan 12 Jan 18 6 days
Grouping element 2 1,450 € Jan 3 Jan 11 ?
item 2.1 500 € Jan 3 Jan 6 3 days
item 2.2 950 € Jan 6 Jan 11 5 days
The A to Z of the Work Breakdown Structures
40
Name Cost Start Finish Duration
Master grouping element 6,150 € Jan 1 Jan 18
Grouping element 1 4,700 € Jan 1 Jan 18 17 days
item 1.1 1,500 € Jan 1 Jan 3 2 days
item 1.2 800 € Jan 8 Jan 12 4 days
item 1.3 2,400 € Jan 12 Jan 18 6 days
Grouping element 2 1,450 € Jan 3 Jan 11 8 days
item 2.1 500 € Jan 3 Jan 6 3 days
item 2.2 950 € Jan 6 Jan 11 5 days
The A to Z of the Work Breakdown Structures
41
Name Cost Start Finish Duration
Master grouping element 6,150 € Jan 1 Jan 18 ?
Grouping element 1 4,700 € Jan 1 Jan 18 17 days
item 1.1 1,500 € Jan 1 Jan 3 2 days
item 1.2 800 € Jan 8 Jan 12 4 days
item 1.3 2,400 € Jan 12 Jan 18 6 days
Grouping element 2 1,450 € Jan 3 Jan 11 8 days
item 2.1 500 € Jan 3 Jan 6 3 days
item 2.2 950 € Jan 6 Jan 11 5 days
The A to Z of the Work Breakdown Structures
42
Name Cost Start Finish Duration
Master grouping element 6,150 € Jan 1 Jan 18 17 days
Grouping element 1 4,700 € Jan 1 Jan 18 17 days
item 1.1 1,500 € Jan 1 Jan 3 2 days
item 1.2 800 € Jan 8 Jan 12 4 days
item 1.3 2,400 € Jan 12 Jan 18 6 days
Grouping element 2 1,450 € Jan 3 Jan 11 8 days
item 2.1 500 € Jan 3 Jan 6 3 days
item 2.2 950 € Jan 6 Jan 11 5 days
The A to Z of the Work Breakdown Structures
43
Name Cost Start Finish Duration
Master grouping element 6,150 € Jan 1 Jan 18 17 days
Grouping element 1 4,700 € Jan 1 Jan 18 17 days
item 1.1 1,500 € Jan 1 Jan 3 2 days
item 1.2 800 € Jan 8 Jan 12 4 days
item 1.3 2,400 € Jan 12 Jan 18 6 days
Grouping element 2 1,450 € Jan 3 Jan 11 8 days
item 2.1 500 € Jan 3 Jan 6 3 days
item 2.2 950 € Jan 6 Jan 11 5 days
Sum Min Max CalcRollup methods:
The appropriate method of rollup depends on the nature of the information.
The A to Z of the Work Breakdown Structures
44
Hig
her l
evel
s of
WB
SSu
mm
ariz
ed in
form
atio
n
Low
er le
vels
of W
BS
Det
aile
d in
form
atio
n
information for executing team
WBS
information for project management team
information for executives
The fifth core principle of the PRINCE2:Manage by Exception
The A to Z of the Work Breakdown Structures
45
Hig
her l
evel
s of
WB
SSu
mm
ariz
ed in
form
atio
n
Low
er le
vels
of W
BS
Det
aile
d in
form
atio
n
information for executing team
WBS
information for project management team
information for executivesA well-formed WBS provides appropriate information for each management level involved in the project.
A poor WBS couses problems in monitoring and controlling the project.
An effective WBS is always deliverable-based.
The A to Z of the Work Breakdown Structures
46
1.6.WBS Cousins and Relatives
The A to Z of the Work Breakdown Structures
47
Part 2The Theory of the WBS
The A to Z of the Work Breakdown Structures
48
2.1.Definition and Rules of WBS
The A to Z of the Work Breakdown Structures
49
2.2.Naming Conventions of the WBS Elements
The A to Z of the Work Breakdown Structures
50
2.3.Levels of the WBS
The A to Z of the Work Breakdown Structures
51
What are the standard levels of WBS?
Level 1
Level 2
Level 3
Level 4
Level 5
The A to Z of the Work Breakdown Structures
52
What are the standard levels of WBS?
Level 1
Level 2
Level 3
Level 4
Level 5
First Level: Project
The A to Z of the Work Breakdown Structures
53
What are the standard levels of WBS?
Level 1
Level 2
Level 3
Level 4
Level 5
First Level: Project
It’s the only standard level of the WBS. There’s no global
standard for other levels and it completely depends on the
project.
The A to Z of the Work Breakdown Structures
54
What are the standard levels of WBS?
Level 1
Level 2
Level 3
Level 4
Level 5
First Level: Project
It’s the only standard level of the WBS. There’s no global
standard for other levels and it completely depends on the
project.
However, some organizations have defined their own standard WBS levels for certain types of projects.
The A to Z of the Work Breakdown Structures
55
What are the standard levels of WBS?
Level 1
Level 2
Level 3
Level 4
Level 5
First Level: ProjectSome resources prefer to
consider “Project” as
level 1
and others as
Level 0
The A to Z of the Work Breakdown Structures
56
What are the standard levels of WBS?
Level 1
Level 2
Level 3
Level 4
Level 5
First Level: ProjectSome resources prefer to
consider “Project” as
level 1
and others as
Level 0
(more common)
The A to Z of the Work Breakdown Structures
57
Project
XABA XABB XABC
XAA XAB XBA XBB XBC XCA XCB
XCAA
XCXBXA
The A to Z of the Work Breakdown Structures
58
Project
XABA XABB XABC
XAA XAB XBA XBB XBC XCA XCB
XCAA
XCXBXA
How many levels do we have in this sample WBS?
The A to Z of the Work Breakdown Structures
59
Project
XABA XABB XABC
XAA XAB XBA XBB XBC XCA XCB
XCAA
XCXBXA
How many levels do we have in this sample WBS?
Level 1
The A to Z of the Work Breakdown Structures
60
Project
XABA XABB XABC
XAA XAB XBA XBB XBC XCA XCB
XCAA
XCXBXA
How many levels do we have in this sample WBS?
Level 1
Level 1
Level 2
The A to Z of the Work Breakdown Structures
61
Project
XABA XABB XABC
XAA XAB XBA XBB XBC XCA XCB
XCAA
XCXBXA
How many levels do we have in this sample WBS?
Level 1
Level 1
Level 2
Level 3
The A to Z of the Work Breakdown Structures
62
Project
XABA XABB XABC
XAA XAB XBA XBB XBC XCA XCB
XCAA
XCXBXA
How many levels do we have in this sample WBS?
Level 1
Level 1
Level 2
Level 3
Level 4
The A to Z of the Work Breakdown Structures
63
Project
XABA XABB XABC
XAA XAB XBA XBB XBC XCA XCB
XCAA
XCXBXA
How many levels do we have in this sample WBS?
Level 1
Level 1
Level 2
Level 3
Level 4
The A to Z of the Work Breakdown Structures
64
Project
XABA XABB XABC
XAA XAB XBA XBB XBC XCA XCB
XCAA
XCXBXA
How many levels do we have in this sample WBS?
4 Levels
The A to Z of the Work Breakdown Structures
65
Project
XABA XABB XABC
XAA XAB XBA XBB XBC XCA XCB
XCAA
XCXBXA
Single child structure is not recommended!
The A to Z of the Work Breakdown Structures
66
You can always delete a single child and transfer its activities to its parent.
Project
XABA XABB XABC
XAA XAB XBA XBB XBC XCA XCB
XCAA
XCXBXA
The A to Z of the Work Breakdown Structures
67
Project
XABA XABB XABC
XAA XAB XBA XBB XBC XCA XCB
XCXBXA
The A to Z of the Work Breakdown Structures
68
Project
XABA XABB XABC
XAA XAB XBA XBB XBC XCA XCB
XCXBXA
One extra level in this branch
You don’t have to use the same number of levels in every branch of the WBS
The A to Z of the Work Breakdown Structures
69
Project
XABA XABB XABC
XAA XAB XBA XBB XBC XCA XCB
XCXBXA
The A to Z of the Work Breakdown Structures
70
Project
XABA XABB XABC
XAA XAB XBA XBB XBC XCA XCB
XCXBXA
The elements in the lowest level of the WBS are called Work Packages.
The A to Z of the Work Breakdown Structures
71
Project
XABA XABB XABC
XAA XAB XBA XBB XBC XCA XCB
XCXBXA
The elements in the lowest level of the WBS are called Work Packages.
The elements in the lowest level of the WBS are those which do not have any children.
The A to Z of the Work Breakdown Structures
72
Project
XABA XABB XABC
XAA XAB XBA XBB XBC XCA XCB
XCXBXA
The elements in the lowest level of the WBS are called Work Packages.
Select work packages
The elements in the lowest level of the WBS are those which do not have any children.
The A to Z of the Work Breakdown Structures
73
Project
XABA XABB XABC
XAA XAB XBA XBB XBC XCA XCB
XCXBXA
The elements in the lowest level of the WBS are called Work Packages.
The elements in the lowest level of the WBS are those which do not have any children.
The A to Z of the Work Breakdown Structures
74
Project
XABA XABB XABC
XAA XAB XBA XBB XBC XCA XCB
XCXBXA
The elements in the lowest level of the WBS are called Work Packages.
The elements in the lowest level of the WBS are those which do not have any children.
The A to Z of the Work Breakdown Structures
75
Project
XABA XABB XABC
XAA XAB XBA XBB XBC XCA XCB
XCXBXA
XABB XABC
The elements in the lowest level of the WBS are called Work Packages.
Not a work package
anymore
The elements in the lowest level of the WBS are those which do not have any children.
The A to Z of the Work Breakdown Structures
76
Project
XABA XABB XABC
XAA XAB XBA XBB XBC XCA XCB
XCXBXA
XABB XABC
Work packages are decomposed into activities…
The A to Z of the Work Breakdown Structures
77
Project
XABA XABB XABC
XAA XAB XBA XBB XBC XCA XCB
XCXBXA
XABB XABC
it’s recommended to put activities only under the work packages, not
other WBS elements.
The A to Z of the Work Breakdown Structures
78
Project
XABA XABB XABC
XAA XAB XBA XBB XBC XCA XCB
XCXBXA
XABB XABC XABD
You can usually fix it by defining new work packages.
The A to Z of the Work Breakdown Structures
79
Project
XABA XABB XABC
XAA XAB XBA XBB XBC XCA XCB
XCXBXA
XABB XABC XABD
You can usually fix it by defining new work packages.
The A to Z of the Work Breakdown Structures
80
How much should we break down the WBS?How much detail is recommended?
The A to Z of the Work Breakdown Structures
81
How much should we break down the WBS?How much detail is recommended?
DoD recommends to break down the WBS in a way that its underlying activities do not exceed 44 working days.
(each month usually contains 22 working days)
PMI recommends to break down the WBS in a way that its underlying activities exceed two times of the control period.
(the maximum duration for a project which is controlled in a monthly basis will then be 2 calendar months, or 44 working days in a regular calendar)
The A to Z of the Work Breakdown Structures
82
How much should we break down the WBS?How much detail is recommended?
DoD recommends to break down the WBS in a way that its underlying activities do not exceed 44 working days.
(each month usually contains 22 working days)
PMI recommends to break down the WBS in a way that its underlying activities exceed two times of the control period.
(the maximum duration for a project which is control in a monthly basis will then be 2 calendar months, or 44 working days in a regular calendar)
These values are not based on any
calculation, they are just best practices.
People are usually more successful by
using these limits.
The A to Z of the Work Breakdown Structures
83
How much should we break down the WBS?How much detail is recommended?
DoD recommends to break down the WBS in a way that its underlying activities do not exceed 44 working days.
(each month usually contains 22 working days)
PMI recommends to break down the WBS in a way that its underlying activities exceed two times of the control period.
(the maximum duration for a project which is control in a monthly basis will then be 2 calendar months, or 44 working days in a regular calendar)
Level of Effort (LOE) activities are
exceptions and can be longer.
The A to Z of the Work Breakdown Structures
84
2.4.WBS Codes
The A to Z of the Work Breakdown Structures
85
Part 3The Process of Creating WBS
The A to Z of the Work Breakdown Structures
86
Part 4Hands-on Exercise
