The Work Breakdown Structure (WBS)

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Transcript The Work Breakdown Structure (WBS)

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Project Management – PMBOK®

Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) Dr Marc Conrad Office: D104 – Park Square [email protected]

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Marc Conrad University of Bedfordshire 1

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Project Management Processes (Initiation)

Project Management Plan Initiation Project Charter Scope

(definition)

WBS Cost

(estimates, …)

Time

(activity diagrams, …)

Human Resources

(RACI matrix, …) •

Also to consider: Quality, Risk, Communication, Procurement, Integration (PMBOK® knowledge areas)

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The Work Breakdown Structure in the PMBOK®

From the file ITO2008.ppt

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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.

The WBS is a deliverable-oriented hierarchy of decomposed project components that organises 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.

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• • •

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 milestones. 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.

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Example WBS

Redecorate Room

Prepare materials

    Buy paint Buy a ladder Buy brushes/rollers Buy wallpaper remover 

Prepare room

     Remove old wallpaper 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 University of Bedfordshire 6

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Developing the WBS

• • • • •

Divide the total work of the project into major groups... ...then subdivide these groups into tasks...

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

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Product Breakdown Structure

Focus on the product to be delivered and not on the work to do.

Underpins PRINCE2® “product-based” approach.

Redecorated Room

   

Removed old wallpaper Clean room

 Cover for furniture  Cover for electrical switches  Newspapers to cover floor.

Paint

  Paint on wall Leftover paint

Management products

 Ladder  Brushes and rollers 23.04.2020

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“Scope Breakdown Structure” (Max Wideman’s approach)

• • • • • •

Geographically discrete components Time based phases and stages Intermediate or final major deliverables 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!

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Scope Breakdown Structure

(Max Wideman redecorates a room)

Redecorated Room

Painted wall

    Buy paint Buy ladder Buy brushes or rollers Paint room •

Note the noun phrases on the top levels (scope breakdown) and the activities on the lower levels!

• 

New curtains

 …

Content Family

A clean room

 Cover floor with old newspapers  Cover electrical outlets/switches with tape  Cover furniture with sheets 

Dinner in a restaurant

 … 

Decision on colours

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Summary

• • •

The WBS is used to define the activities that are then further managed.

Consider alternatives:

 

Work Breakdown Structure Product Breakdown Structure

Scope Breakdown Structure Use Common Sense in Breakdown the Project.

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