WBS (Work Breakdown Structure)
WBS : Work Breakdown Structure (Work Breakdown Structure), creating WBS is the process of decomposing the deliverables of project work into smaller, more manageable components.
WBS is one of the important professional terms for project management.
The basic definition of WBS: grouping project elements based on deliverables. It summarizes and defines the entire scope of the project. Each drop in the scope of the project represents a more detailed definition of project work. Whether in project management practice, or in PMP, IPMP exams, work breakdown structure (WBS) is one of the most important content. WBS is always at the center of the planning process, and is also an important basis for making schedules, resource requirements, cost budgets, risk management plans, and procurement plans. WBS is also an important basis for controlling project changes. The project scope is defined by WBS, so WBS is also a comprehensive tool for projects.
The main purpose
WBS is a planning and design tool for describing ideas. It helps project managers and project teams to determine and effectively manage project work.
- WBS is a structural design tool that clearly expresses the interrelationships between projects.
- WBS is a planning tool that shows the overall picture of the project and specifies the various tasks that must be completed to complete the project.
- WBS defines milestone events and can report project completion to senior management and customers as a reporting tool for project status.
- WBS prevents omission of project deliverables.
- WBS helps project managers focus on project goals and clarify responsibilities.
- WBS establishes visual project deliverables in order to estimate workload and allocate work.
- WBS helps improve the accuracy of time, cost and resource estimates.
- WBS helps the establishment of the project team and obtains the commitment of the project personnel.
- WBS defines a benchmark for performance measurement and project control.
- WBS assists in communicating clear job responsibilities.
- WBS establishes a framework for the formulation of other project plans.
- WBS helps analyze the initial risks of the project.
Role
1. Clearly and accurately state the scope of the project;
2．Assign personnel to each independent unit and specify the corresponding responsibilities of these personnel;
3. For each independent unit, estimate the time, cost and resource requirements to improve the accuracy of time, cost and resource estimation;
4. To plan, cost, schedule, quality, safety and cost control or forge common ground, determine the project schedule baseline measurement and control;
5. Link the project work with the project’s financial accounts;
6. Facilitate the division and assignment of responsibilities;
7. Determine the work content and work sequence;
8. Estimate the overall cost of the project and the whole process.