Building Effective Work Breakdown Structures (WBS)
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== Evaluating the quality of a WBS == | == Evaluating the quality of a WBS == | ||
| − | + | === Quality Principle 1 === | |
| + | ==== WBS Quality Sub-Principle 1: Core Characteristics ==== | ||
| + | ==== WBS Quality Sub-Principle 2: Use-related Characteristics ==== | ||
== References == | == References == | ||
Revision as of 14:39, 12 February 2023
"If you fail to plan, you are planning to fail" Benjamin Franklin
Regardless of the life cycle approach, successful project management requires a comprehensive and detailed plan [1]. A project manager’s main responsibilities include planning, integrating, and executing plans. Structured planning is essential given the relatively short duration and controlled resources of projects. Without proper planning, projects, and programs can face the following consequences [2]:
- No clear and defined requirements at the beginning of the project
- Setting unrealistic expectations
- Disorder and chaos
- Attempts to place blame
- Punishment
There are four main reasons for project planning: 1) To minimize or eradicate uncertainty, 2) To improve operational efficiency, 3) To gain a better understanding of the objectives, and 4) To establish the foundation for monitoring [2]. The first major step in the planning process after defining the project requirements is to develop the Work Breakdown Structure (WBS), it is the most important element because provides a common framework for [2]:
- Describing the total project described as a summation of decomposed elements
- Planning can be performed
- Determining costs and budgets
- Monitoring time, cost, and performance
- Establishing schedules
Given all the benefits of building an effective WBS, the purpose of this article is to serve as a guide for project managers in:
- Understanding the purpose and importance of creating a WBS.
- Identifying the key characteristics and components of a WBS.
- Implementing a delivered-oriented WBS effectively.
- Evaluating the quality and completeness of a WBS.
Developed by Luisa Fernanda Salazar Rivera s222401
Contents |
Introduction
Overview of the WBS
What is a WBS
Core characteristics
Purpose of creating a WBS
Why is it essential
Types and components of a WBS
Styles to present a WBS
Types of decomposition for a WBS
Main components
Building effective WBS
Preparation methods
Top-down method
Bottom-up method
Decomposing the project work
How to decompose the project work?
When to stop decomposing the work?
WBS Dictionary
Steps for building an effective WBS
Evaluating the quality of a WBS
Quality Principle 1
WBS Quality Sub-Principle 1: Core Characteristics
==== WBS Quality Sub-Principle 2: Use-related Characteristics ====
References
- ↑ Project Management Institute, Inc. (PMI)., "Practice Standard for Work Breakdown Structures (3rd Ed.)", 2019
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Kerzner, H. ., "Project Management: A Systems Approach to Planning, Scheduling, and Controlling. (7th Ed.) ", 2009
