They include: By taking into account each projects WBS, the organization can quickly calculate the budget for whole departments.With a work breakdown structure, you can stay focused on what you need to accomplish as you move toward the project deadline.
Wbs Pro How To Create OneThis article will help you understand what a work breakdown structure is and what it is not, the advantages of using a work breakdown structure, and how to create one.Youll also learn from leading experts on how to use this powerful and essential product management tool with confidence.By focusing on deliverables rather than methods the what, not the how a work breakdown structure helps eliminate unnecessary work to get the intended result. ![]() It is usually a visual chart or diagram that spells out a projects timeline and process while capturing each task, subtask, and deliverable that will be created and executed throughout. Its often rendered as an outline, like a table of contents, but can be organized using tabs or other visual organizational systems. Rod Baxter, co-founder of Value Generation Partners and author of the Project Management for Success Handbook, calls the WBS a necessary element to the product management lifecycle. It takes skill and practice to create, but it is essential to help you meet release dates and become efficient. The team developed a formula to determine tasks and estimate effort needed for a project based on outcome, which became known as PERT (program evaluation and review technique). With PERT as a model, the Department of Defense (DOD) and NASA published the first description of the work breakdown structure process in 1962, but the first reference by name didnt come until 1968. The Work Breakdown Structures for Defense Materiel Items (MIL-STD-881) established work breakdown structures as a standard across the DOD, with templates published for specific military applications, such as aircraft or ships. Even civilian contractors working with the DOD must use the appropriate work breakdown structure template. In 1987, the Project Management Institute, through PMBOK, established work breakdown structures as standard practice for a range of nonmilitary applications. The term work breakdown structure was introduced in 1993 for applications in corporate and other organizational projects. In June 1999, the PMI Standards Program issued a project charter to develop the Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) Practice Standard. According to the PMI, the Planning Process Group begins with three essential steps: scope planning (3.2.2.2), scope definition (3.2.2.3), and work breakdown structure development (3.2.2.4). Many organizations skip the step of creating a WBS plan, or dictionary, in the interests of nimbleness and agility or because they are being asked to build the plane while flying it. While its possible to deliver a project without proper planning and visibility, it will likely take a toll on the team members and, potentially, the ultimately quality of the deliverables. Those risks arent sustainable over time, so using WBS when possible is always preferred. ![]() Other variables on the horizon include globalization, currency fluctuations, political changes, and regulations so a strong project needs advance planning to navigate these potential dependencies. Good resources on WBS include The ABC Basics of the WBS by Paul Burek and The Intelligent Structure of Work Breakdowns Is a Precursor to Effective Project Management, Homer Gunn, 1995. Here are some of the advantages and benefits of creating a WBS: Provides a visual representation of all parts of a project Offers an ongoing view for management and team members into how the entire project is progressing Defines specific and measurable outcomes Breaks the work into manageable chunks Provides a way to make successful experiences repeatable Sets a foundation for estimating costs and allocating human and other resources Ensures no overlap and no gaps in responsibility or resources Minimizes the chance of adding items outside the scope of work or forgetting a critical deliverable In addition, organizations have found other benefits in using work breakdown structures. These benefits can be realized through a specific project, but may also help improve the processes and culture of your whole organization.
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