1

Project Management PMBOK

Work Breakdown Structure

(WBS)

Dr Marc Conrad
Office: D104 Park Square
Marc.Conrad@beds.ac.uk

Marc Conrad
18.11.2017 University of Bedfordshire 1
2 Project Management Processes
(Initiation)
Project Management Plan
Initiation Scope WBS
Project Charter (definition)

Cost Time Human Resources

(estimates, ) (activity diagrams, ) (RACI matrix, )

Also to consider: Quality, Risk,

Communication, Procurement, Integration
(PMBOK knowledge areas)
3 The Work Breakdown Structure in the
PMBOK

From the file

ITO2008.ppt
4 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.

Marc Conrad
18.11.2017 University of Bedfordshire 4
5
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.

Marc Conrad
18.11.2017 University of Bedfordshire 5
 Redecorate Room
6 Prepare materials
Buy paint
Buy a ladder
Buy brushes/rollers
Example WBS 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
18.11.2017 University of Bedfordshire 6
7
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!

Marc Conrad
18.11.2017 University of Bedfordshire 7
8 Product Breakdown Structure
Redecorated Room
Removed old wallpaper
Clean room
Cover for furniture
Cover for electrical
switches
Newspapers to cover
Focus on the product floor.
to be delivered and not Paint
on the work to do. Paint on wall
Underpins PRINCE2 Leftover paint
product-based Management products
approach. Ladder
Brushes and rollers

Marc Conrad
18.11.2017 University of Bedfordshire 8
9 Scope Breakdown Structure
(Max Widemans 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!
http://www.maxwideman.com/musings/wbswar.htm
Marc Conrad
18.11.2017 University of Bedfordshire 9
 Scope Breakdown Structure
10 (Max Wideman redecorates a room)
Redecorated Room
Painted wall
Buy paint
Buy ladder
Buy brushes or rollers
Paint room
New curtains
Note the noun
phrases on the top
levels (scope Content Family
breakdown) and
A clean room
the activities on
the lower levels! Cover floor with old newspapers
Cover electrical outlets/switches with tape
Cover furniture with sheets
Dinner in a restaurant

Decision on colours
Marc Conrad
18.11.2017 University
of Bedfordshire 10
11
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.

Marc Conrad
18.11.2017 University of Bedfordshire 11