The Work breakdown structure(WBS)
Interduction
According to ISO 21500 a project is defined as “ a unique set of processes consisting of coordinated and controlled activities with start and finish dates, undertaken to achieve an objective”. However a project can consist of various variety of different things and become very complex. To be able to analyze the complexity of a project it is important to have a clear scope of what the project is about and what it consists of. The complexity of a project can for example be governed by involvement of different parties or stakeholders, time estimations and cost. The best way of an organized work and smoothly managed project is to break the work down into smaller segments of the bigger pictures.
A well defined project has a clear scope. Breaking the scope down into smaller segments can make a large project more manageable and easier to work with, this is the separating phase. When the separation has been done it is important that each separated segment is integrated so it can work. Even with well organized project, it can change throughout the timeline and it is important to adapt to any evolvement or changes. The work breakdown structure model is a fantastic tool to use for that.
The origin of the WBS
It is hard to imagine that large and complex projects can be conducted with out well organize scope that has been broken down into smaller segments. However in 1959 there was a paper published that described a new technique called PERT or “ Program Evaluation and Review Technique".
This new technique was developed for the Program Evaluation Branch of the Special Project Office of the US. Navy. The reason for the development of this technique was because the Special office was concerned about certain plans such as missile guiding systems, weapons and ships. Even though this technique was not specifically described as the WBS it had similar structure and theory as we know the WBS today. It was not until 1961 where the term work breakdown structure become the known term for the model. The department of Defense ( DOD) in cooperation with NASA and aerospace industry created and published a document that had much more detailed use and description which describes the WBS. The model was used much in the coming years primarily for government or military usage. In 1987 WBS was first used by the Project management institute in a non governmental or milatery way and started to be used in businesses and other organizations around 1993.
Why use WBS
Work breakdown structure is a model that was developed to breakdown the work of a project to have a more specific and detail scope that is well defined. WBS is often mistaken for the tasks that need to be done, which is incorrect. It is what is needed to be delivered.
