EFFECTIVE WORK BREAKDOWN STRUCTURES

Gregory T. Haugan, PhD, PMP

GLH, Incorporated Heathsville, Virginia

Anatomy of Work Breakdown Structures

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.

What is a WBS? The 100% Rule Three Types of WBS Structures Four Types of WBS Elements Two Types of Programs Use of WBS to Define Activities
2

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Anatomy of Work Breakdown Structures

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.

What is a WBS? The 100% Rule Three Types of WBS Structures Four Types of WBS Elements Two Types of Programs Use of WBS to Define Activities
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Work Breakdown Structure

 Formal

Definition per the PMBOK

Guide: A Deliverable - Oriented Grouping of Project Elements that Organizes and Defines the Total Scope of the Project. Each Descending Level Represents an Increasingly Detailed Definition of the Project Work.
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ELEPHANT BREAKDOWN STRUCTURE

Tail

Legs

Body

Head

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WBS CONCEPT
 Outline

of the Work to be Performed  Provides a Framework for Defining the Work on the Project - SOW  Provides a Framework for Planning  (Work Not in the WBS is Work Not in the Project)

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Definitions
A

WBS Consists of Elements  The Lowest Level Element in the WBS is Often Referred to as a Work Package  A Work Package Consists of Tasks or Activities  Elements are Described by Nouns  Activities Contain Verbs
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Sample Partial WBS

Level 1

SOFTWARE PROJECT

TRAINING MATERIALS

USER DOCUMENTS

SOFTWARE SYSTEM

SYSTEM ANALYSIS

PROJECT MGT

MODULE 1

MODULE 2

MODULE 3

SYSTEM TEST

Level 3

CODING
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TEST 8

Anatomy of Work Breakdown Structures

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.

What is a WBS? The 100% Rule Three Types of WBS Structures Three Types of WBS Elements Two Types of Programs Use of WBS to Define Activities
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100 % Rule

The next level decomposition of a WBS element (child level) must represent 100% of the work applicable to the next higher (parent) element.

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SAMPLE WBS - GARAGE

Level 1 GARAGE PROJECT

PERMITS/ INSPECTIONS

GROUNDS

GARAGE

CONSTR. PLANS

PROJECT MGT

FOUNDATION

WALLS

ROOF

UTILITIES

ASSEMBLY

FRAME
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DRY WALL/ PANELING

DOORS/ DOORS/ WINDOWS WINDOWS

ASSEMBLY

Level 4 11

100 % Rule Importance

If you follow the 100% rule, and define the WBS elements as nouns, you have won the battle to get an effective WBS.

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Anatomy of Work Breakdown Structures

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.

What is a WBS? The 100% Rule Three Types of WBS Structures Four Types of WBS Elements Two Types of Programs Use of WBS to Define Activities
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Three Types of WBS Structures

 PMBOK

Guide Definition of a Project:

A temporary endeavor undertaken to create a unique product, service or result. result.

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Product Breakdown
 Decomposition

of the Natural, Physical Structure of the Deliverable  Follows a BOM Framework  The Deliverable is a Tangible Product  Most Common Example Used

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SAMPLE WBS - GARAGE

Level 1 GARAGE PROJECT

PERMITS/ INSPECTIONS

GROUNDS

GARAGE

CONSTR. PLANS

PROJECT MGT

FOUNDATION

WALLS

ROOF

UTILITIES

ASSEMBLY

FRAME
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DRY WALL/ PANELING

DOORS/ DOORS/ WINDOWS WINDOWS

ASSEMBLY

Level 4 16

Service Breakdown
 No

Tangible Output Product  Main Event or Service  Decomposition Based on a Logical Grouping (not Physical Structure)  Often Developed Bottom-up  Detailed Activities May be Checklists  Lend Themselves to Templates
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Service Project Breakdown

Level 1 International Conference Project

Attendees

Transportation

Facilities

Program

Displays

Project Management

Level 3

Receptions

Spouse Activities

Presentations

Tours

Level 4

Papers

Speakers

Translators

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Results Project Breakdown

 Project

Does not have a Well-Structured Primary Product as a Deliverable  May Have Several Products that Collectively Achieve the Planned Result  The Projects are Process-Based

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Results Project WBS

Level 1 HACCP PROJECT

1. Work Plan

2. Product & Process Analyses

3. Hazard Analysis

4. Q.A. Process

5. HACCP Plan Process

6. HACCP Implementation

7. Project Management

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Anatomy of Work Breakdown Structures

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.

What is a WBS? The 100% Rule Three Types of WBS Structures Four Types of WBS Elements Two Types of Programs Use of WBS to Define Activities
21

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Four Types of WBS Crosscutting Elements

1. 2. 3. 4.

Integrative Analytical Process Project Management

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Four Types of WBS Crosscutting Elements

1. Integrative
Level 1 New Technology Bicycle Project

Level 2

Preliminary Design

Bicycle

Project Management

Frame

Seat Assembly

Pedals & Gears

Handlebars

Assembly

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Four Types of WBS Crosscutting Elements

2. Analytical
Level 1 New PC Development

Project Management

Documentation

Personal Computer

System Test

System Analyses

Structure

Circuit Boards

Hard Disk

Power Supply

Assembly

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Four Types of WBS Crosscutting Elements

3. Process
Level 1 Aircraft System

Project Management

Manuals & Data

Support Equipment

Air Vehicle

Facilities

Test & Evaluation

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Four Types of WBS Crosscutting Elements

3. Process
Level 1 New PC Development Level 2 Project Management Personal Computer System Analyses

Documentation

System Test

Structure

Circuit Boards

Hard Disk

Power Supply

Assembly

Design

Procurement

Fabrication

Subsystem Test

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Four Types of WBS Crosscutting Elements

4. Project Management
A

Special Type of WBS Element  All Projects have a PM Element  May be Looked-at Conceptually as an Overhead Element

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Four Types of WBS Crosscutting Elements

4. Project Management
PROJECT MANAGEMENT (Level 2)
Level 3 PROJECT START AND FINISH Level 4 Work Packages
Contract Award Complete Project Kick-off Meeting Monthly/Quarterly Project Reviews Corporate Reviews In-Process Reviews Close-out Meeting Action Item Tracking System Monthly Progress Report Annual Report Budget/Financial Status Report Project Charter Master Schedule Project Plan (Current and Future Phases Risk Management & etc

MEETINGS AND REVIEWS

REPORTS

PLANS

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Four Types of WBS Crosscutting Elements

4. Project Management
PROJECT MANAGEMENT (Level 2)
Level 3 CONTROL Level 4 Work Packages
Schedule Tracking Cost Tracking Earned Value Management Analysis Variance Analysis Corrective Action Work-Arounds Project Management Office Space/Relocation Correspondence Control System Procurement/Purchasing Subcontract Management Contract Management

ADMINISTRATIVE

PROJECT SUPPORT

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Anatomy of Work Breakdown Structures

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.

What is a WBS? The 100% Rule Three Types of WBS Structures Four Types of WBS Elements Two Types of Programs Use of WBS to Define Activities
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Two Types of Programs

 Life

Cycle Phases Process Projects  Program Areas Series of Projects

PMBOK GUIDE: A group of related projects managed in a coordinated way. Programs usually include an element of ongoing work.
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A Program Life Cycle Phases

I. II. III. IV. V. VI.

Feasibility, Conceptual or Initiation Planning Execution or Implementation Close-Out Operations and Maintenance (Program Management)

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Example Program Areas

 Nanotechnology  Alcohol

and Drug Abuse  Cancer Research  Anti-Terrorism

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PM WBS Elements in a Program

 Traditional

PM Elements at Level 1  Level 2 PM Elements for each Phase/Project  Level 2 PM Elements that Relate to Subsequent Phases
Cross-cutting Analytical Elements Outputs for Future Phases

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Program/Project Management WBS

l r l ric s r

Project efinition P ase

Pl nning Phase r s

l cti

l s s

r ti i t s c

Pr gram anagement Onl T tal Pr gram Elements

.
c l

.
l i it si ck

.
cri t ck

.
ti l ti r t t i r

. c ti l s

.7
Planning Pr ject anagement

.7.
l s . . . . c l t tr cki rts t i s i

.7.
l r s . . r r r i r cti l s ct l ct l l t

.7.
l s s t l s

.7.
r ffic . t rc , t . r ct s ffic rt r t ct t

isk r ct r

. I iti l sc . I iti l r s sc l

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Level 1 PM Decomposition
Level 1

Program Management

Administration & Budget

Communications

Program Support

Program Control

Etc.

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Anatomy of Work Breakdown Structures

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.

What is a WBS? The 100% Rule Three Types of WBS Structures Four Types of WBS Elements Two Types of Programs Use of WBS to Define Activities
37

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Time Sharing System (TSS) Project WBS

Level 1

TSS PROJECT

Project Management

Requirements Specification
Initial Specification Final Specification

Design Specification

TSS Software
Module 1 Module 2 Integrate Modules

Project Start Project Meetings Project Reports

Initial Specification Final Specification

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WBS in MS Project 98

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WBS and Activities in MS Project

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Summary
Generic WBS Elements
Level 0 PROGRAM

Level 1

Program Management

Phase/ Project

Project A

Phase/ Project

Ongoing Work

Level 2

1. Product Breakdown Elements Product Structure

2. Service Breakdown Elements Groupings

3. Results Breakdown Elements Steps

4. Crosscutting Elements Integrative, Analytical, or Process

5. Project Management Elements Support and Management

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Effective Work Breakdown Structures

This presentation is based on the book titled: Effective Work Breakdown Structures authored by Dr. Gregory T. Haugan. It was published in 2002 by Management Concepts Inc. of Vienna, Virginia. Other books by Dr. Haugan and also published by Management Concepts include: Project Planning and Scheduling, 2002 and The Work Breakdown Structure in Government Contracting, 2003 Books may be purchased through Management Concepts at: www.managementconcepts.com or from Amazon and other on-line stores.

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Effective Work Breakdown Structures

Thank You

Dr. Gregory T. Haugan P.O. Box 30 Heathsville, VA 224 3 804 580 2166 ghaugan@crosslink.net

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