Work breakdown structure
1
Garden shed
1.1
Plan
1.1.1
Pick the spot
1.1.2
Check council rules
1.1.3
Order the kit
1.2
Base
1.2.1
Level the ground
1.2.2
Lay the slab
1.3
Build
1.3.1
Walls
1.3.2
Roof
1.3.3
Door and window
1.4
Finish
1.4.1
Paint
1.4.2
Shelves and hooks
1.4.3
Clean up
Make a work breakdown structure
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What a work breakdown structure is
“A work-breakdown structure (WBS) in project management and systems engineering is a breakdown of a project into smaller components. It is a key project management element that organizes the team's work into manageable sections.”
When to use a work breakdown structure
New project
Break a project into pieces small enough to plan and hand out, like the garden shed's plan, base, build and finish.
Planning
Once every piece has a number, you can put each one on a schedule and track it.
With a team
Give each work package to one person, so everyone knows which part is theirs.
How to make a work breakdown structure
- 1The whole project1Garden shed
- 2The big pieces1Garden shed1.1Plan1.2Base1.3Build1.4Finish
- 3The work packages1Garden shed1.1Plan1.1.1Pick the spot1.1.2Check council rules1.1.3Order the kit1.2Base1.2.1Level the ground1.2.2Lay the slab1.3Build1.3.1Walls1.3.2Roof1.3.3Door and window1.4Finish1.4.1Paint1.4.2Shelves and hooks1.4.3Clean up
Helpful resources
Questions
- What does a WBS help with?
A WBS provides the necessary framework for detailed cost estimation and control while providing guidance for schedule development and control.
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