According to the project management body of knowledge pmbok, a work breakdown structure wbs is a hierarchical decomposition of the total scope of work to be carried out by the project team to accomplish the project objectives and create the required deliverables. In the example you can also see the numbering logic typically used in a wbs. At the lowest level of the wbs you can have the projects work. Applying work breakdown structure to project lifecycle. Wbs examples for a software project, construction projects, a conference, finding a job, selling a house, planning. It network upgrade editable work breakdown structure. The work breakdown structure wbs provides exactly this. Work breakdown structure for it projects wbs by published october 3, 2018 updated october 16, 2018 after defining your it projects scope and deliverables it is very important to break down the projects work into smaller work elements so that everything is. Our cloudbased software allows you to use the work breakdown structure template with all our other great features. Some of them has features to export the wbs into applications such as microsoft project, to further define the activities for each work package. A work breakdown structure is often presented in the form of a chart, it is a visual representation of all team management and project planning processes. The sow, input from the testing team, past similar projects.
Mar 15, 2018 a work breakdown structure wbs is a hierarchical structure of things that the project will make or outcomes that it will deliver this one is far better. Many people have mistaken wbs as a list of tasks, a schedule or an organization chart. In project management, wbs stands for work breakdown structure. Work breakdown structure example based on phases the best example could be a software development project, where the project is broken down into multiple sdlc phases. A work breakdown structure is not a list of tasks, a schedule or an organization chart. Software engineering work breakdown structure geeksforgeeks. In the project management category, you can double click the work breakdown structure icon. A signal processor, for example, is clearly a product, as are mock ups and computer software configuration items. Use lucidchart to take action from your work breakdown structure. This matrix is an example from a software development program. Graphical version of systems upgrade work breakdown structure. The wbs is designed to help break down a project into manageable chunks that can be effectively estimated and supervised. But its good to know the main parts of what is needed to construct a thorough wbs. Therefore, one should take creating wbs as a critical step in the process of project management.
What is a work breakdown structure wbs example included. A work breakdown structure is an outline of key project deliverables and the work needed to get there. Tasks and schedules are better handled in other ways, for example by using gantt charts. To save you time and facilitate the process of creating a work breakdown structure, you can use a prebuilt wbs template. This is an example of a work breakdown structure wbs for a traditional waterfall approach to software development this is an example of a work breakdown structure wbs for a traditional waterfall approach to software development. Quickly get a headstart when creating your own wbs of software. Free 30day wbs software trial work breakdown structure wbs a work breakdown structure wbs is a key project deliverable that organizes the teams work into manageable sections. The work breakdown structure is used for project control and management purposes such as planning, scheduling, reporting, cost control, etc. Work breakdown structure rev e, june 2003 do not include elements that are not products.
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. The project schedule can be viewed and updated by team members associated with the project, keeping everyone well informed on the overall project status. The industrystandard definition of a work breakdown structure is a deliverableoriented. The work breakdown structure provides a common framework for the natural development of the overall planning and control of a contract and is the basis for dividing work into definable increments from which the statement of work can be developed and technical. This is an example of a work breakdown structure wbs for a. One project may include several phases, or also smaller, subprojects. Next story software selection work breakdown structure. And each iteration may again follow the sdlc phases. 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. Includes data migration, content and infrastructure migration, upgrade of customisations, and deployment. A work package is a deliverable or work component at the lowest level of its wbs branch. It is often described as a resultoriented tree that covers all project procedures in an organized way. Creately wbs tool comes with handy features and work breakdown structure templates to draw wbs online easily. It organizes and defines the total scope of the project.
What is a work breakdown structure in project management. To put it simply, a work breakdown structure or wbs is an essential project deliverable which is used to systemize the work of the team into sections which are easier to manage. The work breakdown structure in software project management article pdf available in journal of systems and software. Wbs software work breakdown structure software creately. Tasks and activities will be grouped under these lowest levels. Rather it provides the basis on which a task list and a schedule can be constructed. Event planners can use a work breakdown structure to. Using the work breakdown structure, you can break tasks down into subtasks and individual work packages. This is what a work breakdown structure looks like. Microsoft office format of systems upgrade work breakdown structure.
Previous story product deployment work breakdown structure. For example, if youre creating a work breakdown structure for. Work breakdown structure software features create wbs quickly create wbs quickly and easily in edraw using a topdown approach. Two methods for presenting a work breakdown structure wbs are the wbs outline and the wbs diagram. Uat testing work breakdown structure this is an example of a highlevel work breakdown structure for user acceptance testing it includes training, roles, test sites and the testing tasks. Planning a large event for your community association. How to create a work breakdown structure lucidchart blog. Pdf the work breakdown structure in software project management. It displays and defines the product, or products, to be developed andor produced.
How to improve productivity with a work breakdown structure. The work breakdown structure wbs is a commonly used project management tool which helps project teams get a grasp on the various types of work that are required to complete a project. 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. This document provides project managers with a work breakdown structure wbs, which defines all of the application development projects critical deliverables 1. It allows you to take a project and decompose it into planable and controllable elements. The contents of the template are shown below and hints and tips are includes in the template. A work breakdown structure defines all the things a project needs to accomplish, organized into multiple levels, and displayed graphically. Company owners and project managers use the work breakdown structure wbs to make complex projects more manageable. Information technology engineers can use a work breakdown structure as a roadmap for their program development, for example, software development, remote projects, database system development and more. The responsibility assignment matrix ram shows the intersection of the organizational breakdown structure obs and the work breakdown structure wbs. Wbs software to quickly create work breakdown structures online. After reading it, you will understand the basics of this powerful project management tool.
But to confront the challenges of working in todays volatile economic environment, project managers are increasingly using. Consider it a precursor to a detailed gantt chart or microsoft project file. The work breakdown structure provides a common framework for the natural development of the overall planning and control of a contract and is the basis for dividing work into definable increments from which the statement of work can be developed and technical, schedule, cost, and labor hour reporting can be established. Although you can see many examples of wbs that use elements like planning. Even subprojects can be broken down into smaller bits. Identify the dependency between tasks dependency graph, network diagram 4.
Systems upgrade work breakdown structure the project diva. Identify how much the size size estimation techniques 3. Are you looking for a work breakdown structure example this method is frequently used in project management to break a project down into activities, tasks and subtasks. Work breakdown structure relativistic heavy ion collider. A work breakdown structure showing it network upgrade. This work breakdown structure example shows that all the elements are listed under wbs levels. A work breakdown structure wbs milstd881d is a tool used to define a project in discrete work elements in a hierarchical format. This discusses the work breakdown structure dictionary clarifies the concept and analyzes a work breakdown structure example for construction. You only need to click, drag and drop to create tasks and phases. Plan project tasks in sharepoint with your free template. Event planners can use a work breakdown structure to display all the details of subtasks to move forward. Before we dive further into the benefits and impact of a wbs, there are a few additional definitions you should know. This foundational tool breaks a project or objective down into smaller, more manageable pieces so you can plan, manage, and evaluate large projects. Work breakdown structure example click on image to modify online.
The work breakdown structure wbs has long served as a valuable tool in helping project managers plan deliverables and detail project scope. The terms work breakdown structure and task list are, in my experience, often used interchangeably. This is an example of a work breakdown structure wbs for. To understand how to develop a work breakdown structure, lets look at a simple example project that everyone should understand. Detailed planning is essential for successful deployment of custom software. Work breakdown structure wbs in project management teamgantt. There are five steps to creating a work breakdown structure. Estimate total duration of the work to be done the actual schedule.
This gives you a clear overview of your projects and, you can use it to plan your activities and calculate your estimated budget. 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 wbs software project management. If your software does not allow you to create a hierarchy diagram easily, dont do it in ms word, please. This document provides project managers with a work breakdown structure wbs, which defines all of the application development projects critical deliverables.
Wbs work breakdown structure is a deliverableoriented hierarchical decomposition of the work to be executed by the project team to accomplish the project objectives and create the required deliverables. We show what a work breakdown structure is and how it can help in the organization and execution of a project. Pdf many people have mistaken wbs as a list of tasks, a schedule or an organization chart. In short, we did not create a work breakdown structure wbs. This is an example of a work breakdown structure wbs for a traditional waterfall approach to software development. These are the big steps, the birdseye view of a wbs, which eventually gets down to the granular level. I believe there is nothing wrong with this practice, as there only needs to be one official breakdown of the project work. Work breakdown structure examples and overview of wbs. This helps to identify all of the elements and deliverables that are required to organize a project as a whole.
In reality, wbs is a simple and easy visual breakdown of deliverables for product, result, or service. Wbs for software testing breaking down the testing tasks requires understanding the process of testing the software that is being coded by the build team, and the full scope of the testing work. Each descending level in the wbs represents an increasingly detailed description of the project. How to create your project work breakdown structure. The efficiency of a work breakdown structure can determine the success of a project. The wbs dictionary is usually a spreadsheet that lists the wbs, the wbs element name, a description of the work in that element at a minimum. Separating the task list and work breakdown structure. This is usually practiced by project managers to simplify the process of execution of tasks during the scope of the project. Unfortunately, the business pressures driving projects have often prevented project managers from developing a comprehensive wbs. Work breakdown structure an introduction to software project. Using project management software to build a work breakdown structure keeps all the information uptodate and gives your team clarity while you have the flexibility you need to plan work.
Therefore, continuing with our external work example, we can look at the masonry work. Work breakdown structures give you a highlevel understanding of the project and its. What is wbs work breakdown structure in project management. A work breakdown structure is your map through more complicated projects. Listed below are some of the breakdown structure examples.
For example, if youre creating a work breakdown structure for manufacturing a car, youll include items such as car body a deliverable, not welding steel an activity. Besides a typical work breakdown, you can take advantage of the hierarchical layout in creating. The root of this tree structure is labelled by the project name itself. Pdf the work breakdown structure in software project. This article explains the wbs or work breakdown structure in a practical way. An example would be the finished design model for a ship. One work breakdown structure example that will make it clear. It is applicable to all projects among all industries.
This example is a work breakdown for a software upgrade. The work breakdown structure wbs is developed to establish a common understanding of project scope. In so doing, you gain clarity into the details needed to accomplish every aspect of your project. A fourstep guide to the work breakdown structure smart.
Oct 27, 2016 a work breakdown structure wbs proposes a graphical nature that helps project managers predict results based on various scenarios. Dec 20, 2019 wbs work breakdown structure is a method to make complex projects more manageable. The template is fully editable with excel and can be converted or changed to suit specific project requirements. Of the dozens of work breakdown structure software programs available, few tools blend the functionality of a drawing tool with additional features for optimizing your wbs like cost calculation, integration with ms office ms project and the ability to attach files to your wbs. It encompasses many cuttingedge tools for advanced drawings. This web page explains how to create a work breakdown structure wbs using mindviews wbs software. Our work breakdown structure software is based in the cloud, so you can access your wbs diagram from any desktop, tablet, or mobile device, letting you and your team work where and when you please.
Application development project work breakdown structure. Learn how to create a work breakdown structure and use our free templates. Building a useful work breakdown structure with this example wbs. What pmi and the guide to the project management body of knowledge, the pmbok guide, says a work breakdown structure is deliverableoriented hierarchical decompositions so that were breaking something apart of the work to be executed by the team to accomplish the project objectives and create the required deliverables. A unique identifier assigned to each element in a work breakdown structure for the purpose of designating the elements hierarchical location within the wbs. It is a hierarchical description of the work that must be done to complete the deliverables of a project. With the tool, you will easily determine project statement, divide the scope, outline deliverables with manageable tasks that can be assigned in no time. Nov 26, 2019 how to create a work breakdown structure. Work breakdown structure wbs different approaches for developing a wbs notations for work breakdown structures heuristics and examples starting with templates how to identify work what do we do with risky tasks. There are many free and commercial software application around the web to create the work breakdown structure. The items on the lowest level vertical and horizontal steering systems, stabilization systems etc.
View on online or download for free in pdf or visio format. Although you can make work breakdown structures by hand or in flowchart tools, its often timeconsuming and isnt easily updated. A wbs is to a project manager what a recipe is to a chef. Top tips for developing a work breakdown structure wbs. It is used to identify all project deliverables and necessary activities. Reorganizing the tasks in the chart requires only click of a button. Ganttpro is online gantt chart software that helps create visually appealing work breakdown structure. Figure 1 work breakdown structure the wbs dictionary, in addition to expanding on the simple one line description of the wbs elements, connects the wbs to the statement of work sow. This blog provides a fourstep guide to creating a work breakdown structure, such as the one pictured here.
Free work breakdown structure templates smartsheet. Online project management software allows project managers to track project schedules, resources, budgets and project related assets in real time. It means breaking down a project into tasks and subtasks so that there is no room for confusion in the future. A free customizable wbs of software development template is provided to download and print. Work breakdown structure software visual paradigm online. This article also contains a downloadable and editable work breakdown structure template what is work breakdown. Heres how you might use a work breakdown structure to estimate your time for an upcoming move. Aug 21, 2018 work breakdown structure wbs software. Wbs should not take too much effort to create and maintain it. A work breakdown structure includes dividing a large and complex project into simpler, manageable and independent tasks. See a large image and download a visio or pdf of this wbs for uat. For example, you can link dependencies with a simple click on the gantt chart, which is online and will notify the team member who is responsible for it. On the other hand, things such as design engineering, requirements.
In this article, weve rounded up the most common wbs templates, all of which are fully customizable and free to download. It relates the elements of work to be accomplished to each other and to the end product. The work breakdown structure wbs is the decomposition of a software project into low level work tasks. A deliverable basically is the end result or product of a task. Just like a good recipe it sets out the required ingredients, equipment, methods, timing and performance indicators. This is a free work breakdown structure wbs template in excel and pdf.
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 work breakdown structure wbs is a vehicle for breaking an engineering project down into subproject, tasks, subtasks, work packages, and so on. A work breakdown structure is especially useful for bigger projects that involve many elements. This objective could be anything from developing a new software feature to building a missile. Wbs work breakdown structure is a method to make complex projects more manageable. This is when making a work breakdown structure or a work breakdown structure template is essential. Work breakdown structure software edraw max provides an innovative approach to visually and graphically create, edit and modify work breakdown structure diagrams. We took time to design this list example, but your work breakdown structure can just as easily be scribbled down on your favorite notepad or whiteboard. Purpose of a work breakdown structure wbs the work breakdown structure wbs is a commonly used project management tool which helps project teams get a grasp on the various types of work that are required to complete a project. May 07, 2019 the team jumped straight into the work without planning the tasks needed to deliver our requirements.
849 1411 315 1270 1295 65 11 1279 555 1287 895 519 42 602 616 506 932 1517 1389 1002 1268 1184 1332 887 1476 1385 1135 546 681 1202 1272 359 1083 73 1511 1469 368 521 642 775 150 868 937 893 1129 589 315 774 52