Work Breakdown Structure Kathy S. Schwaig. What is a Work Breakdown Structure (WBS)? A WBS is a...

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Work Breakdown Structure Kathy S. Schwaig

Transcript of Work Breakdown Structure Kathy S. Schwaig. What is a Work Breakdown Structure (WBS)? A WBS is a...

Page 1: Work Breakdown Structure Kathy S. Schwaig. What is a Work Breakdown Structure (WBS)? A WBS is a logical hierarchy of work packages involved in a project.

Work Breakdown Structure

Kathy S. Schwaig

Page 2: Work Breakdown Structure Kathy S. Schwaig. What is a Work Breakdown Structure (WBS)? A WBS is a logical hierarchy of work packages involved in a project.

What is a Work Breakdown Structure (WBS)?

A WBS is a logical hierarchy of work packages involved in a projectA WBS is an essential tool in the project planning processOnce the project charter has been created, the project must be scoped out in more detail

Page 3: Work Breakdown Structure Kathy S. Schwaig. What is a Work Breakdown Structure (WBS)? A WBS is a logical hierarchy of work packages involved in a project.

Purpose of a WBSA WBS helps to define the work required for the project and to break it into manageable pieces called work packages A good WBS can help in the development of schedules, budgets, and resource requirementsThe WBS is a useful tool for identification of activities and assignment of responsibilities

Page 4: Work Breakdown Structure Kathy S. Schwaig. What is a Work Breakdown Structure (WBS)? A WBS is a logical hierarchy of work packages involved in a project.

Possible Ways to Organize Work Breakdown Structures

By project phasesBy project componentsBy functional areasBy types of workBy resource types

Page 5: Work Breakdown Structure Kathy S. Schwaig. What is a Work Breakdown Structure (WBS)? A WBS is a logical hierarchy of work packages involved in a project.

Work PackagesA work package is a deliverable or product at the lowest level of the WBSAs a general rule, each work package should represent 80 hours (or less) of effortEach work package should have a clearly identified person who is responsible for it This individual should . . .

Be a member of the project teamBe responsible for the successful completion of the work package

Page 6: Work Breakdown Structure Kathy S. Schwaig. What is a Work Breakdown Structure (WBS)? A WBS is a logical hierarchy of work packages involved in a project.

Requirements Definition System Development System Testing DocumentationSystem Design

Equipment History Module

Spare Parts Inventory Control Module

Data Dictionary Development

Screen & Report Design

Logic Diagrams Code Development Module Testing

Work Order Control Module

Development & ImplementationMaintenance Management Information System

Example WBS (Inverted Tree Structure)Example WBS (Inverted Tree Structure)

Page 7: Work Breakdown Structure Kathy S. Schwaig. What is a Work Breakdown Structure (WBS)? A WBS is a logical hierarchy of work packages involved in a project.

Example WBS(Indented List Format)

Development & Implementation Maintenance Management Information SystemRequirements DefinitionSystem DesignSystem Development

Equipment History ModuleWork Order Control Module

Data Dictionary DevelopmentScreen & Report DesignLogic DiagramsCode Development

Module TestingSpare Parts Inventory Control Module

System TestingDocumentationImplementation

Page 8: Work Breakdown Structure Kathy S. Schwaig. What is a Work Breakdown Structure (WBS)? A WBS is a logical hierarchy of work packages involved in a project.

Identifying Activities

Look for any time-consuming element with identifiable beginning and ending pointsActivities are at the lowest level of the WBSMost activities should produce an identifiable deliverableLong-duration activities (>1 month) should be sub-divided

Page 9: Work Breakdown Structure Kathy S. Schwaig. What is a Work Breakdown Structure (WBS)? A WBS is a logical hierarchy of work packages involved in a project.

Guidelines for Developing a WBS

Develop WBS from the top down; not bottom upDon’t exceed about 5 levels in a WBSIdentify work package manager for each WBS itemCheck to make sure that the WBS is consistent with the project charter