Work Breakdown Structure
The next task for the project manager after completing the project scope is to begin the creation of the
work breakdown for the project. As defined by The Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK), a
work breakdown structure (WBS) is an essential project deliverable that helps the project manager to
“break” the work of the project into manageable sections for each work team. The WBS is a visual
representation of the scope of the project, which is broken down into levels of detail and definition for
each task. Shown below is an example of a WBS.
Using a WBS
As you have learned, the project manager is in charge of assigning tasks for the project team.
During the process of assigning tasks, the project manager uses the WBS to identify the major
deliverables for a project and then divides those into smaller work categories for distribution to
the project team. Before assigning work to the team, the project manager must break down
each of the larger tasks into single person assignments to create the detailed task level project
schedule.
By breaking down the tasks into work groups, the project manager has the ability to track the costs of
each task and simplifies budget reporting. Each task will “roll up” to a major project deliverable for
budget purposes.
Work Breakdown Structure Guidelines
Here are guidelines that the project manager should follow when creating a work breakdown structure:
oThe top of the level of the WBS represents the final deliverable or goal of the project.
oEach sub-deliverable must contain a group of tasks that are assigned to a specific work
group.
oEach group of tasks will define the cost, duration, and the tasks required to produce the
sub-deliverable for the project.
oAs a rule, each group of tasks should not exceed a duration of 10 days.
oEach group of tasks is unique; therefore, groups of tasks will not be duplicated across the
work breakdown structure for the project.
References
Project Management Institute. (n.d.). PMBOK Guide and standards. Retrieved from
https://www.pmi.org/pmbok-guide-standards
Project Management Institute. (2006). Practice standards for work breakdown structures. Retrieved from
https://www.pmi.org/pmbok-guide-standards/framework/practice-standard-work-breakdown-
structures-2nd-edition
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