Work Breakdown Structure in Project Management - Revision history

S213855: /* Summary */

2022-03-18T13:01:32Z

Summary

← Older revision		Revision as of 13:01, 18 March 2022
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	== Summary ==		== Summary ==

	The WBS structure is a very widely applicable tool in project management that could be used by project managers to reduce the uncertainty of the project early stages by incorporating the whole project group into project delimitation. By the use of this tool, project deliverables, their hierarchical dependencies and definitions can be documented and visualised in different ways. This article has provided the reader with the background of WBS along with its most commonly used approaches in project management, namely Tree view for visualisation and top-down/bottom-up WBS development approaches. Furthermore, tools used in WBS development and different applications of WBS itself were discussed. Lastly, provides project managers with a process step approach to structuring the project which later can be used for project scheduling, resource estimation, risk management and communication with project stakeholders.		The WBS structure is a very widely applicable tool in project management that could be used by project managers to reduce the uncertainty of the project early stages by incorporating the whole project group into project delimitation. By the use of this tool, project deliverables, their hierarchical dependencies and definitions can be documented and visualised in different ways. This article has provided the reader with the background of WBS along with its most commonly used approaches in project management, namely Tree view for visualisation and top-down/bottom-up WBS development approaches. Furthermore, tools used in WBS development and different applications of WBS itself were discussed. Lastly, advantages and limitations of WBS were discussed with regards on how the WBS method provides project managers with a process step approach to structuring the project which later can be used for project scheduling, resource estimation, risk management and communication with project stakeholders.

	== Annotated Bibliography ==		== Annotated Bibliography ==

S213855: /* Summary */

2022-03-18T13:00:20Z

Summary

← Older revision		Revision as of 13:00, 18 March 2022
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	== Summary ==		== Summary ==

	The WBS structure is a very widely applicable tool in project management that could be used by project managers to reduce the uncertainty of the project early stages by incorporating the whole project group into project delimitation. By the use of this tool, project deliverables, their hierarchical dependencies and definitions can be documented and visualised in different ways. This article has provided the reader with the background of WBS along with its most commonly used approaches in project management, namely Tree view for visualisation and top-down/bottom-up WBS development approaches. Furthermore, tools used in WBS development and different applications WBS itself were discussed. Lastly, provides project managers with a process step approach to structuring the project which later can be used for project scheduling, resource estimation, risk management and communication with project stakeholders.		The WBS structure is a very widely applicable tool in project management that could be used by project managers to reduce the uncertainty of the project early stages by incorporating the whole project group into project delimitation. By the use of this tool, project deliverables, their hierarchical dependencies and definitions can be documented and visualised in different ways. This article has provided the reader with the background of WBS along with its most commonly used approaches in project management, namely Tree view for visualisation and top-down/bottom-up WBS development approaches. Furthermore, tools used in WBS development and different applications of WBS itself were discussed. Lastly, provides project managers with a process step approach to structuring the project which later can be used for project scheduling, resource estimation, risk management and communication with project stakeholders.

	== Annotated Bibliography ==		== Annotated Bibliography ==

S213855: /* Summary */

2022-03-18T12:59:19Z

Summary

← Older revision		Revision as of 12:59, 18 March 2022
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	== Summary ==		== Summary ==

	The WBS structure is a ~~resourceful~~ tool that could be used by project managers to reduce the uncertainty of the project early stages by incorporating the whole project group into project delimitation. By the use of this tool, project deliverables, their hierarchical dependencies and definitions can be documented and visualised in different ways. ~~Lastly~~, ~~the~~ development of WBS provides project managers with a process step approach to structuring the project which later can be used for project scheduling, resource estimation, risk management and communication with project stakeholders.		The WBS structure is a very widely applicable tool in project management that could be used by project managers to reduce the uncertainty of the project early stages by incorporating the whole project group into project delimitation. By the use of this tool, project deliverables, their hierarchical dependencies and definitions can be documented and visualised in different ways. This article has provided the reader with the background of WBS along with its most commonly used approaches in project management, namely Tree view for visualisation and top-down/bottom-up WBS development approaches. Furthermore, tools used in WBS development and different applications WBS itself were discussed. Lastly, provides project managers with a process step approach to structuring the project which later can be used for project scheduling, resource estimation, risk management and communication with project stakeholders.

	== Annotated Bibliography ==		== Annotated Bibliography ==

S213855: /* Summary */

2022-03-18T07:42:01Z

Summary

← Older revision		Revision as of 07:42, 18 March 2022
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	== Summary ==		== Summary ==

	The WBS structure is an resourceful tool that could be used by project managers to reduce the uncertainty in the project early stages by incorporating the whole project group into project delimitation. By the use of this tool, project deliverables, their hierarchical dependencies and definitions can be documented and visualised. Lastly, the development of WBS provides project managers with a process step approach to structuring the project which later can be used for project scheduling, resource estimation, risk management and communication with project stakeholders.		The WBS structure is a resourceful tool that could be used by project managers to reduce the uncertainty of the project early stages by incorporating the whole project group into project delimitation. By the use of this tool, project deliverables, their hierarchical dependencies and definitions can be documented and visualised in different ways. Lastly, the development of WBS provides project managers with a process step approach to structuring the project which later can be used for project scheduling, resource estimation, risk management and communication with project stakeholders.

	== Annotated Bibliography ==		== Annotated Bibliography ==

S213855: /* WBS Standards and Templates */

2022-03-18T07:40:24Z

WBS Standards and Templates

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	Organizations with high project management maturity might have developed a organizational WBS standard which would work as a internal set of principles used when construing a WBS. The standards can include aspects such as format, numbering scheme, convention or some required elements. The aim of these standards is to ease the WBS application and to ensure consistency and completeness along the whole organization.		Organizations with high project management maturity might have developed a organizational WBS standard which would work as a internal set of principles used when construing a WBS. The standards can include aspects such as format, numbering scheme, convention or some required elements. The aim of these standards is to ease the WBS application and to ensure consistency and completeness along the whole organization.
	Followed by the Standards, WBS Templates can be created as a sample with a hierarchical structure that could be customized in each project. It should be noted that organization can have multiple standards and templates for different projects. Lastly, compared to previous approaches, WBS standards and Templates are for reusing of existing WBS materials while Top-Down and Bottom-Up approaches are for new WBS development.		Followed by the Standards, WBS Templates can be created as a sample with a hierarchical structure that could be customized in each project. It should be noted that organization can have multiple standards and templates for different projects. Lastly, compared to previous approaches, WBS standards and Templates are for reusing of existing WBS materials while Top-Down and Bottom-Up approaches are for new WBS development.


	=== WBS Tools ===		=== WBS Tools ===

S213855: /* Context and Historical Applications */

2022-03-18T07:38:46Z

Context and Historical Applications

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	== Context and Historical Applications ==		== Context and Historical Applications ==

	Historically, the Work Breakdown Structure method was inspired by Program Evaluation and Review Technique (PERT) along with ~~earned value~~ concepts which were used by United States Department of Defense (DoD)<ref> Fleming, Quentin W., Joel M. Koppelman "Earned Value Project Management" CROSSTALK: The Journal of Defense Software Engineering July 1998, p 19-21</ref>. In 1968, along with aerospace industry and National Aeronautics and Space Agency(NASA) DoD has published a "Work Breakdown Structures for Defense Materiel Items" <ref> [ http://everyspec.com/MIL-STD/MIL-STD-0800-0899/MIL-STD-881E_56929] "WORK BREAKDOWN STRUCTURES FOR DEFENSE MATERIEL ITEMS " 2020] </ref>. Similarly, NASA has adopted WBS to its purposes and has developed publicly available handbook of its own <ref>[https://ntrs.nasa.gov/citations/20180000844] "Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) Handbook" 2018 </ref>. In both organizations WBS was introduced to be used for Program, Product and Project management. In 1987, WBS method was documented by the Project Management Institute (PMI) with a focus to provide more industry applicable concept of this technique.		Historically, the Work Breakdown Structure method was inspired by Program Evaluation and Review Technique (PERT) along with Earned Value concepts which were used by United States Department of Defense (DoD)<ref> Fleming, Quentin W., Joel M. Koppelman "Earned Value Project Management" CROSSTALK: The Journal of Defense Software Engineering July 1998, p 19-21</ref>. In 1968, along with aerospace industry and National Aeronautics and Space Agency(NASA) DoD has published a "Work Breakdown Structures for Defense Materiel Items" <ref> [ http://everyspec.com/MIL-STD/MIL-STD-0800-0899/MIL-STD-881E_56929] "WORK BREAKDOWN STRUCTURES FOR DEFENSE MATERIEL ITEMS " 2020] </ref>. Similarly, NASA has adopted WBS to its purposes and has developed publicly available handbook of its own <ref>[https://ntrs.nasa.gov/citations/20180000844] "Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) Handbook" 2018 </ref>. In both organizations WBS was introduced to be used for Program, Product and Project management. In 1987, WBS method was documented by the Project Management Institute (PMI) with a focus to provide more industry applicable concept of this technique.

	== WBS Terminology and Principles ==		== WBS Terminology and Principles ==

S213855: /* Abstract */

2022-03-18T07:37:55Z

Abstract

← Older revision		Revision as of 07:37, 18 March 2022
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	== Abstract ==		== Abstract ==

	Project Management is often a complex process involving various teams, stakeholders and different development approaches. Therefore, structured planning of the whole project work is important in order to reach the delivery of the result within time and dedicated budget. Since each project is different complexity wise, uncertainty in early stages of some projects can be expected. In order to reduce the project uncertainty it is important to break down the complex tasks into manageable sub-tasks of the whole project (PMBOK; Seventh Edition, 2021, p. 81)<ref name="one">Project Management Institute. “A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK)”- Seventh Edition, 2021, p. 81</ref>. This Wiki article will focus on the Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) method used to reduce the complexity of a project by delimiting the whole project plan into manageable sub-tasks on different levels. By following principles of WBS, each level of WBS and each deliverable is assigned a certain part of the project. Furthermore, the wiki article will cover context and history of WBS along with application and limitations of this method. Lastly, since WBS is very flexible and easily applicable tool, the article will focus on most popular ways of application specifically used in project management.		Project Management is often a complex process involving various teams, stakeholders and different development approaches. Therefore, structured planning of the whole project work is important in order to reach the delivery of the expected result within time and dedicated budget. Since each project is different complexity wise, uncertainty in early stages of some projects can be expected. In order to reduce the project uncertainty it is important to break down the complex tasks into manageable sub-tasks of the whole project (PMBOK; Seventh Edition, 2021, p. 81)<ref name="one">Project Management Institute. “A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK)”- Seventh Edition, 2021, p. 81</ref>. This Wiki article will focus on the Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) method used to reduce the complexity of a project by delimiting the whole project plan into manageable sub-tasks on different levels. By following principles of WBS, each level of WBS and each deliverable is assigned a certain part of the project. Furthermore, the wiki article will cover context and history of WBS along with application and limitations of this method. Lastly, since WBS is very flexible and easily applicable tool, the article will focus on most popular ways of application specifically used in project management.

	== Context and Historical Applications ==		== Context and Historical Applications ==

S213855 at 07:55, 17 March 2022

2022-03-17T07:55:50Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 07:55, 17 March 2022
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	Correctly applied WBS method can provide every project manager with a structured approach towards project management, its execution and reduction in uncertainty. Therefore, it is important to be aware of limitations that this method can have. Firstly, in the literature about WBS, the aspect of detail has been touched upon few times. Authors indicate that too much information as well as too little information can cause this method to provide more uncertainty that clear structure, therefore it is up to every project manager to monitor WBS documentation and to make sure that the amount of information provided by WBS structure and WBS Dictionary is enough to have a fluid information flow. Secondly, WBS structure in itself cannot provide a thorough project schedule therefore to avoid any misalignment of the tasks, WBS visualisation has to be used only for project planning inspiration and not as the schedule itself.		Correctly applied WBS method can provide every project manager with a structured approach towards project management, its execution and reduction in uncertainty. Therefore, it is important to be aware of limitations that this method can have. Firstly, in the literature about WBS, the aspect of detail has been touched upon few times. Authors indicate that too much information as well as too little information can cause this method to provide more uncertainty that clear structure, therefore it is up to every project manager to monitor WBS documentation and to make sure that the amount of information provided by WBS structure and WBS Dictionary is enough to have a fluid information flow. Secondly, WBS structure in itself cannot provide a thorough project schedule therefore to avoid any misalignment of the tasks, WBS visualisation has to be used only for project planning inspiration and not as the schedule itself.

			== Summary ==

			The WBS structure is an resourceful tool that could be used by project managers to reduce the uncertainty in the project early stages by incorporating the whole project group into project delimitation. By the use of this tool, project deliverables, their hierarchical dependencies and definitions can be documented and visualised. Lastly, the development of WBS provides project managers with a process step approach to structuring the project which later can be used for project scheduling, resource estimation, risk management and communication with project stakeholders.

	== Annotated Bibliography ==		== Annotated Bibliography ==

S213855: /* Annotated Bibliography */

2022-03-17T07:50:41Z

Annotated Bibliography

← Older revision		Revision as of 07:50, 17 March 2022
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	'''Project Management Institute. “Practice Standard for Work Breakdown Structures”- Second Edition, 2011''': This book is specifically focused on WBS and therefore it works as a useful guide for the actual application of WBS in real-life scenarios. Furthermore, it provides examples and visualisations from real life cases.		'''Project Management Institute. “Practice Standard for Work Breakdown Structures”- Second Edition, 2011''': This book is specifically focused on WBS and therefore it works as a useful guide for the actual application of WBS in real-life scenarios. Furthermore, it provides examples and visualisations from real life cases.

			'''NASA Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) Handbook''' : This WBS handbook developed by NASA provides both: a handy guide on WBS used in governmental organizations along with well-defined WBS dictionary which could be used to further familiarize with WBS method.

	== References ==		== References ==

S213855: /* Limitations */

2022-03-17T07:48:42Z

Limitations

← Older revision		Revision as of 07:48, 17 March 2022
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	== Limitations ==		== Limitations ==

	Correctly applied WBS method can provide every project manager with a structured approach towards project management, its execution and reduction in uncertainty~~, therefore~~, it is important to be aware of limitations this method can have. Firstly, in the literature about WBS, the aspect of detail has been touched upon few times. Authors indicate that too much information as well as too little information can cause this method to provide more uncertainty that clear structure, therefore it is up to every project manager to monitor WBS documentation and to make sure that the amount of information provided by WBS structure and WBS Dictionary is enough to have a fluid information flow. Secondly, WBS structure in itself cannot provide a thorough project schedule therefore to avoid any misalignment of the tasks, WBS visualisation has to be used only for project planning inspiration and not as the schedule itself.		Correctly applied WBS method can provide every project manager with a structured approach towards project management, its execution and reduction in uncertainty. Therefore, it is important to be aware of limitations that this method can have. Firstly, in the literature about WBS, the aspect of detail has been touched upon few times. Authors indicate that too much information as well as too little information can cause this method to provide more uncertainty that clear structure, therefore it is up to every project manager to monitor WBS documentation and to make sure that the amount of information provided by WBS structure and WBS Dictionary is enough to have a fluid information flow. Secondly, WBS structure in itself cannot provide a thorough project schedule therefore to avoid any misalignment of the tasks, WBS visualisation has to be used only for project planning inspiration and not as the schedule itself.

	== Annotated Bibliography ==		== Annotated Bibliography ==