How to create a work breakdown structure a stepbystep guide. A work breakdown structure is especially useful for bigger projects that involve many elements. Work breakdown structure or wbs is a hierarchical tree structure that outlines your project and breaks it down into smaller, more manageable portions. The importance of the wbs experienced project managers know there are many things that can go wrong in projects. Planning provides a way to develop a framework for project execution, monitoring, and control. It also specifies the deliverables the customer will get. Work breakdown structure wbs is a method of breaking down a project into a hierarchy with the tasks broken down into several levels. A work breakdown structure wbs is a key project deliverable that organizes the teams work into manageable sections. Dec 25, 2017 a project work breakdown structure wbs is a key component of project management deliverables. It then details how project managers can use a wbs to plan a residential construction project, noting the wbss key levels and looking at the process for. The project management body of knowledge pmbok 5 defines the workbreakdown structure. This is when making a work breakdown structure or a work breakdown structure template is essential. The project manager and project team use the wbs to develop the project schedule, resource requirements and costs. As a hierarchical decomposition of the project work.
The purpose of this paper is to propose a framework for the standardisation of the work breakdown structure wbs for building projects. What is wbs work breakdown structure in project management. Having a structured approach makes it easier to control the project. The pd is to structure the project work into wbs elements work packages that are. A project wbs is used for breaking down a project into easily manageable components, or bites. In project management, wbs stands for work breakdown structure. Mar 25, 2016 a key part of a good construction project plan is the work breakdown structure wbs. Developing and elaborating effective work breakdown structures. It presents all of the work that will be carried out by the project team during the life of the project, including the project management work.
Smart leaders understand the underlying wisdom of the wbs work breakdown structure system. A project budget can be allocated to the top levels of the work breakdown structure, and department budgets can be quickly calculated based on the each projects work breakdown structure. Professor odeh discusses the importance of project planning and scheduling. The following discussion will examine the current trends and practice regarding work breakdown structures. How to create a work breakdown structure a stepbystep. By allocating time and cost estimates to specific sections of the work breakdown structure, a project. A work breakdown structure wbs, in project management and systems engineering, is a deliverable oriented decomposition of a project into smaller components. Unfortunately, the business pressures driving projects have often prevented project managers from developing a comprehensive wbs. If you fail to identify a major part of your project s work. Aouad3 1 school of the built environment, heriot watt university, uk. How to create a work breakdown structure lucidchart blog.
With our free work breakdown structure template, youll be in total control of your project, every step of the way. This is based on the premise that buildings in general retain basic elemental options, and that there is a commonality of activities in the procurement of building projects. Work breakdown structure vs project schedule vs project plan. Work breakdown structures overview finance dynamics. A work breakdown structure is a key project deliverable that organizes the teams work into manageable sections. The word breakdown signals a heavily negative connotation, one that conjures up images of impending chaos, rank disorder, a precursor to possible cataclysm, or perhaps the systematic dismantling of an existing system. Applying work breakdown structure to project lifecycle. Running a project without a work breakdown structure is like going to a strange land without a road map. Another common source of confusion for beginners is the difference between the work breakdown structure, project schedule, and project plan.
Aug 23, 2019 thats why project leaders use a work breakdown structure wbs to literally break down the larger phases of the project into smaller and smaller tasks, which can then be scheduled and assigned. You can edit this work breakdown structure using creately diagramming tool and include in your reportpresentationwebsite. But to confront the challenges of working in todays volatile economic environment, project managers are increasingly using. The work breakdown structure wbs is a view into the project which shows what work the project encompasses.
The development of work breakdown structure involves subdividing the major project activities or subactivities into smaller, more manageable activities until the activities are defined in sufficient detail to support the management and development of project works. If you fail to identify a major part of your projects work, you wont have the chance to detail it. This foundational tool breaks a project or objective down into smaller, more manageable pieces so you can plan, manage, and evaluate large projects. Preparing work breakdown structure using flowcharts yonyx. While these three things often describe the same thing what is to be achieved in the project they vary greatly in scope and details. A work breakdown structure element may be a product, data, service, or any combination thereof.
A project work breakdown structure wbs is a key component of project management deliverables. Jul 25, 2019 when it comes to planning a project, the work breakdown structure is one of the first things a project manager has to work on. Work breakdown structure introduction to project planning. I dont want to rehash what a work breakdown structure is and why we need one for your construction project schedule. A work breakdown structure wbs proposes a graphical nature that helps project.
Nov, 2015 i work in the public sector and cannot find an example of a wbs for a building construction project. Apr 26, 2018 project management work breakdown structure duration. A work breakdown structure wbs is a graphical chart which shows all the parts a project has to deliver in order to meet the project goal. Create a work breakdown structure for a project create a work breakdown structure to represent the sequence of tasks in a project. With our free work breakdown structure template, youll be in total control of your project. How to use work breakdown structure wbs in microsoft.
Factory project editable work breakdown structure template. Wbs work breakdown structure is the key to any deliverable building project organizing the job of the team into manageable parts. Learn how to create a work breakdown structure and use our free templates. But, i do want to discuss how to setup your wbs for common types of construction projects. In construction projects, preliminary plans and specifications, bid documents, and preconstruction mockups are example interim project. What is a work breakdown structure wbs example included.
Thinking in detail is critical when planning your project, but you also need to consider the big picture. Applying the work breakdown structure to the project. Work breakdown structure wbs examples for building construction. Work breakdown structure wbs in project management teamgantt. The work breakdown structure is a hierarchical, product.
Automation, project control, work breakdown structure 1. Risk breakdown structure hierarchy of risks broken down by category. One project may include several phases, or also smaller sub projects. This discusses the work breakdown structure dictionary clarifies the concept and analyzes a work breakdown structure example for construction. Creating a work breakdown structure wbs in project. Introduction delivering projects on time, within budget and to the required quality standard is probably the most difficult and challenging task facing project managers. A work breakdown structure, commonly abbreviated wbs, is a key project deliverable that is utilized to organize a project teams work. Here well break down the process for you, making it easy to use these structures in your project planning. A key part of a good construction project plan is the work breakdown structure wbs. A work breakdown structure showing factory project. A work breakdown structure wbs in project management and systems engineering, is a deliverableoriented breakdown of a project into smaller components. An example would be the finished design model for a ship. Een wbs is een hierarchische structuur waarin concrete.
Work breakdown structure or wbs is a hierarchical tree structure that outlines your project. A workbreakdown structure wbs in project management and systems engineering, is a deliverableoriented breakdown of a project into smaller components. Oct 27, 2016 project management work breakdown structure definition. While these three things often describe the same thing what is to be achieved in the project. Graphically depicts all project work relates work elements to each other and to the end product provides structure for organizing o cost summary system o project budget o work package management o the detailed schedule cpm improves manageability of project wbs components. It is widely used in the area of project management to breakdown a project. A work breakdown structure wbs is a chart where the project tasks are illustrated to reflect their relations to each other and the project in general. Its a helpful tool that defines a detailed cost or time estimate and provides guidance for schedule development and control. Framework for a generic work breakdown structure for. Wbs construction projects project management certification. Construction project work breakdown structure examples. Its a way to divide and conquer large projects so you can get things done faster and more efficiently. The items at the lowest level of a branch are known as work. Your work breakdown structure wbs should establish a solid foundation for your construction project schedule.
Project management work breakdown structure duration. A work breakdown structure or wbs is a common term in project management. In this guide, we will explain what is a work breakdown structure, how to create one and give you access to wbs templates for several sc. As a hierarchical decomposition of the project work, each descending level of the wbs is increasingly detailed. Today, work breakdown structures are widely used for projects of all types, both business and personal. Oct 29, 2019 construction project work breakdown structure examples. By allocating time and cost estimates to specific sections of the work breakdown structure, a project schedule and budget can be quickly developed. Even sub projects can be broken down into smaller bits. Work breakdown structure designing buildings wiki share your construction industry knowledge. In so doing, you gain clarity into the details needed to accomplish every aspect of your project. The concept is used each time a new project is designed and is created before entering any data into a microsoft project. One project may include several phases, or also smaller subprojects. The items at the lowest level of a branch are known as work packages.
Work breakdown structure or wbs is a method used to decompose a project or large piece of work into smaller manageable chunks of work. Work breakdown structures are used mainly in project management and systems engineering. A wbs is not a todo list consisting of everything that needs to be done on the project. Today, work breakdown structures are widely used for projects. It is widely used in the area of project management to breakdown a project into. Construction project wbs examples to get you started plan. It is applicable to all projects among all industries.
Organised by project team as subunits this structure identifies who is available to work on the project and forms the basis for decision making around matching teams to work package in the wbs. 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. The project schedule in the work breakdown structure has a familiar look and feel, complete with an interactive gantt chart. Work breakdown structure wbs in project management. This is when making a work breakdown structure or a work breakdown structure. Now the good news about all this is that project 2016 does all the work on maintaining those numbers for you. A deliverable basically is the end result or product of a task. The wbs is a method for getting a complex, multistep project done. Schedule a project with a work breakdown structure. The work breakdown structure wbs has long served as a valuable tool in helping project managers plan deliverables and detail project scope. When it comes to planning a project, the work breakdown structure is one of the first things a project manager has to work on. Thats why project leaders use a work breakdown structure wbs to literally break down the larger phases of the project into smaller and smaller tasks, which can then be scheduled and assigned. The wbs forms the backbone of all the project planning activities. In this guide, we will explain what is a work breakdown structure.
Heres another example of a bicycle construction broken down into three levels. Jun 02, 2014 if you are a project manager and you want to stretch your tasks correctly, then you need to create what is known as a work breakdown structure for your project. In short a work breakdown system provides a mirror for determining and examining all aspects of a project. T he work breakdown structure wbs is a hierarchical breakdown of the complete project scope. A fixture in classic project management methodology and systems engineering, the work breakdown structure wbs is a method that breaks a project down into a hierarchy of deliverables, tasks, and.
This module also covers standards and project coding in construction projects. For most projects, however, three levels will suffice. The two main types of project work breakdown structures wbs. Wbs creation 10 golden rules work breakdown structure duration. What is work breakdown structure in project management. A work breakdown structure wbs is a description of the work that will be done for a project. A fixture in classic project management methodology and systems engineering, the work breakdown structure wbs is a method that breaks a project down into a hierarchy of deliverables, tasks, and subtasks. 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. The wbs construction projects specifies the work assignment for every crew member, subcontractor, architect, and outside consulting engineer working on the project. You will learn about and develop a work breakdown structure wbs for a project. The wbs divides the scope of the project work into smaller, manageable work. 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. Work breakdown structure an overview sciencedirect topics.
As construction projects become more complex, the need for effective project. So, all efforts and resources will be assigned to a clearly defined piece of work. The work breakdown structure wbs is a hierarchical decomposition of the project objectives into deliverableoriented tasks that are executed by the project team to accomplish the overall project goals. Wbs examples for a software project, construction projects, a conference, finding a job, selling a house, planning. Mar 15, 2018 work breakdown structure vs project schedule vs project plan. May 06, 2012 the work breakdown structure wbs is a hierarchical decomposition of the project objectives into deliverableoriented tasks that are executed by the project team to accomplish the overall project goals. Its a hierarchy of tasks that represents the project teams understanding of the composition of work, and of. The pmbok defines the wbs as a deliverableoriented hierarchical decomposition of the work to be executed by the project team. It is a tool which helps to easily communicate the work and processes involved to execute the project.
The work breakdown structure is used for project control and management purposes such as planning, scheduling, reporting, cost control, etc. Creating a work breakdown structure wbs helps you be both comprehensive and specific when managing a project. The pmbok defines wbs as a deliverableoriented hierarchical decomposition of the work to be executed by the project team. Even subprojects can be broken down into smaller bits. Creating a work breakdown structure with microsoft project. A work breakdown structure is your map through more complicated projects. Typically we hire a prime consultant to prepare contract documents for us then go to pubilc tender to get the projects built. Free work breakdown structure templates smartsheet. A work breakdown structure showing 120m bridge construction project. In the tree structure of a wbs, project deliverables and activities are broken down into manageable parts, making it easier to estimate required resources and costs, create a realistic schedule, and control each stage of a project. Work breakdown structure relativistic heavy ion collider. Construction project wbs examples to get you started. Nov 26, 2019 a work breakdown structure is your map through more complicated projects.