WBS - Work Breakdown Structure
Work Breakdown Structure page for 42433 Advanced Project, Program and Portfolio Management, Spring 23
Author: Manuela Vazquez, s222648
Contents |
Abstract
The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) defines the Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) as a “decomposition of the defined scope of a project or programme into progressively lower levels consisting of elements of work” [1].
The present article first summarizes the different definitions of the WBS and references the current standards which directly address it. In addition, the key attributes of the WBS are described, as well as the aspects that need to be considered when creating and evaluating the tool. The different possible visualizations for the WBS are presented, along with an extensive example of its application.
Lastly, the limitations of the WBS will be explored, as well as other complementary and related tools, such as the Organizational breakdown structures (OBS).
Definition and use in Project and Program Management
The WBS is a hierarchical decomposition in which the project or programme scope is divided into successively smaller work breakdown structure elements to be carried out by the project team [3]. ISO 21511 standard provides guidance on the use of this tool for those involved in developing and using it, and complements ISO 21500 and ISO 21504.
- ISO 21500:2021 Project, programme and portfolio management — Context and concepts
- ISO 21504:2022 Project, programme and portfolio management — Guidance on portfolio management
History of WBS
Origin and development of the tool, retrieved from “Getting Started with Work Breakdown Structures (WBS)”. [4]
Key attributes
How to create a WBS
How to evaluate a WBS
Different visualizations of WBS
Outline
Hierarchical Structure
Tabular Structure
Tree Structure
Example
Limitations
Related Tools
Annotated bibliography
Good resources on WBS include:
- “The ABC Basics of the WBS” by Paul Burek, 2013
- “The Intelligent Structure of Work Breakdowns Is a Precursor to Effective Project Management”, Homer & Gunn, 1995
- “Practice Standard for Work Breakdown Structures”, Third Edition, 2019
- ISO 21511:2018, "Work breakdown structures for project and programme management"
- ISO 21502:2020, "Project, programme and portfolio management — Guidance on project management"
References
- ↑ ISO/TR 21506:2018, Project, programme and portfolio management – Vocabulary (Committee: ISO/TC 258)
- ↑ Burek, P. (2013), The ABC basics of the WBS. Paper presented at PMI® Global Congress 2013—North America, New Orleans, LA. Newtown Square, PA: Project Management Institute.
- ↑ ISO 21511:2018, Work breakdown structures for project and programme management ISO/TC 258 Project, programme and portfolio management
- ↑ Kate Eby, Getting Started with Work Breakdown Structures (WBS), (Retrieved on 11. February 2023 from https://www.smartsheet.com/getting-started-work-breakdown-structures-wbs).
