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Work BreakdownStructure Trees
by Spencer Hill
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What will be covered
Work Breakdown Structure Trees (WBST) defined
A brainstorming exercise: How can WBST be used in yourorganization?
Nuts and Bolts: WBST explained
How it works
A real world example
An exercise
Summary
Suggested reading
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WBST are instrumental in. . .
Identifying all the tasks for a particular project
Organizing those items into levels (categorized asphases, deliverables, activities, and tasks)
Creating a framework as the first step in
constructing a detailed project plan and schedule
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WBST defined
Work Breakdown Structures Trees function as
a hierarchical framework to organize aproject
Level 1
Level 2 Level 2
Level 3 Level 3
Level 4 Level 4
Level 3
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WBST benefits
WBST are instrumental in creating an
organized structure of a complex project,which may include:
Multiple phases
Several team members working together
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How can Work Breakdown Structure
Trees benefit your organization?
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Nuts and Bolts: WBST explained
Level 1 Phases
Phase
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Nuts and Bolts: WBST explained
Level 2Major deliverables and related
milestones
Phase
Deliverable Milestone
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Nuts and Bolts: WBST explained
Level 3 Activities
Phase
Deliverable Milestone
Activity ActivityActivity
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Nuts and Bolts: WBST explained
Level 4 Tasks
Phase
Deliverable Milestone
Activity Activity
Task Task
Activity
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Nuts and Bolts: WBST explained
More detail levels are required for projects
that are: Complex
Larger in scope
New to your group (or organization)
More susceptible to change
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Nuts and Bolts: WBST explained
When do you know when you have enough detail?
When one owner can be assigned When clearly defined outputs exist on the task
level
When quality can be monitored based on the
criteria established on the lowest level When each task is small enough that realistic time
requirements can be applied
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Nuts and Bolts: WBST explained
A general rule:
The lowest level tasks should each have a durationof 2-20 days and an effort level that requires nomore than one week of one persons time
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Nuts and Bolts: WBST explained
Possible omissions from your WBST that could leadto delays:
Project review and approvals
Testing
Training
Meeting with management Meeting with customers
Quality review and troubleshooting
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How it works
To create to a work breakdown structure tree:
Involve the entire project team
Create each level collaboratively
Publish a draft for the team to review
Solicit feedback
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A real world example
Creating a promotional DVD
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Creating a promotional DVD
For creating a promotional DVD one might
choose these Level 1 phases: Creating the concept
Designing the DVD
Creating the DVD prototype Selecting a vendor
Producing and mailing
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LEVEL 1
Creating a
promotional
DVD
Creating the
concept
Designing
the DVD
Creating the
DVD
prototype
Selecting a
vendor
Producing
and mailing
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Creating a promotional DVD
Level 2. Deliverables and Milestones.
If we focus on the third Level 1 item: Creating the
DVD prototype, we find that there are two Level
2 deliverables/milestones:
Content creation and editing
DVD testing
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Creating a
promotional
DVD
Creating the
concept
Designing
the DVD
Creating the
DVD
prototype
Selecting a
vendor
Producing
and mailing
Content
creation and
editing
DVD testingLEVEL 2
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Creating a promotional DVD
Level 3: Activities.
For example, Content creation and editing includesthese activities:
Developing the video
Developing the narrative
Reviewing the prototype
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Creating a
promotional
DVD
Creating the
concept
Designing the
DVD
Creating the
DVD
prototype
Selecting a
vendor
Producing
and mailing
Content
creation and
editing
DVD testing
LEVEL 3
Content Creation
and Editing
Developing the
video
Developing the
narrative
Reviewing the
prototype
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Creating a promotional DVD
Level 4: Tasks.
Developing the video may include:
Filming
Reviewing the filmed scenes Editing the filmed segments
Compiling the edited segments together
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Creating apromotional
DVD
Creating the
concept
Designing
the DVD
Creating the
DVD
prototype
Selecting a
vendor
Producing
and mailing
Content
creation andediting
Develop-
ing the
video
Develop-
ing the
narrative
Reviewing
the
prototype
DVD Testing
Filming
Reviewing
the filmed
scenes
Editing the
filmed
segments
Compiling
the edited
segmentstogether
Developing
the video
Filming
Reviewing
the filmed
segments
Editing the
filmed
segments
Compiling
the edited
segments
together
LEVEL 4
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An exercise
Create the first two levels of the Work
Breakdown Structure Tree for creating awebsite
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Summary
Work Breakdown Structure Trees are instrumentalin creating an organized project
Level 1 Phases
Level 2Milestones and Deliverables
Level 3 Activities
Level 4 Tasks
Make sure the amount of detail fits with theoverall complexity of the project
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Suggested reading 'Breaking Down' The Work Breakdown Structure. By: Clark, James J.;
Littrel, Philip D.. Program Manager, Mar/Apr2002, Vol. 31 Issue 2,p104, 4p, 3 diagrams, 1c
Significance of WBS in Contingency Modeling. By: Zhao, JohnGengxin. AACE International Transactions, 2006, p5.1-5.5, 5p
The Keys to Forecasting--#2 Work Breakdown Structure. By: Baar,James E.; Jacobson, Stephen M.. Cost Engineering, Mar2004, Vol. 46Issue 3, p12-14, 3p
Work Breakdown Structures. By: Winn, Michael Tim. ContractManagement, May2007, Vol. 47 Issue 5, p16-21, 6p, 1 chart, 1diagram;
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Suggested reading (continued) Use of a WBS Matrix to Improve Interface Management in Projects.
By: Chua, David K. H.; Godinot, Myriam. Journal of ConstructionEngineering & Management, Jan2006, Vol. 132 Issue 1, p67-79, 13p,1 chart, 10 diagrams; DOI: 10.1061/(ASCE)0733-9364(2006)132:1(67);
Work and Resource Breakdown Structures for Formalized Bottom-UpEstimating. By: Rad, Parviz F.; Cioffi, Denis F.. Cost Engineering,Feb2004, Vol. 46 Issue 2, p31-37, 7p
Managing the Project. By: Linton, Jonathan. Circuits Assembly,
Jun2006, Vol. 17 Issue 6, p12-14, 3p
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Suggested reading (continued)
Haugen, Gregory T. (2002).Effective Work Breakdown Structures.Management Concepts.
Project Management Institute (October 2006). Project ManagementInstitute Practice Standard for Work Breakdown StructuresSecondEdition. Project Management Institute.
(optional CD-ROM available)
Online: Project Management Institute (www.pmi.org) Online: http://www.projectconnections.com/templates/detail/plan-
development-work-breakdown.html
http://www.pmi.org/http://www.pmi.org/