Project Management – PMBOK®

1. Project Management – PMBOK® Title Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) Dr Marc Conrad Office: D104 – Park Square Marc.Conrad@beds.ac.uk Marc Conrad University of Bedfordshire

2. Project Management Processes(Initiation) Project Management Plan Initiation Scope (definition) WBS • Also to consider: Quality, Risk, Communication, Procurement, Integration (PMBOK® knowledge areas) Project Charter Project Scope Statement Human Resources (RACI matrix, …) Time (activity diagrams, …) Cost (estimates, …)

3. The Work Breakdown Structure in the PMBOK® From the file ITO2008.ppt

4. The Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) • Used as a basis for a number of processes in particular to produce the subsidiary plans of the Project Management Plan. • The WBS is a deliverable-oriented hierarchy of decomposed project components that organises and defines the total scope of the project. The WBS is a representation of the detailed project scope statement that specifies the work to be accomplished by the project. • The elements comprising the WBS assist the stakeholders in viewing the end product of the project. • The work at the lowest-level WBS component is estimated, scheduled, and tracked. WBS Marc Conrad University of Bedfordshire

5. The Dictionary of the WBS • A WBS dictionary is a companion document to the WBS that describes each WBS element. For each WBS element, the WBS dictionary includes a statement of work, a list of associated activities, and a list of milestones. • Other information can include the responsible organisation, start and end dates, resources required, an estimate of cost, charge number, contract information, quality requirements, and technical references. • WBS elements should be cross-referenced as appropriate. WBS Marc Conrad University of Bedfordshire

6. Example WBS • Redecorate Room • Prepare materials • Buy paint • Buy a ladder • Buy brushes/rollers • Buy wallpaper remover • Prepare room • Remove old wallpaper • Remove detachable decorations • Cover floor with old newspapers • Cover electrical outlets/switches with tape • Cover furniture with sheets • Paint the room • Clean up the room • Dispose or store left over paint • Clean brushes/rollers • Dispose of old newspapers • Remove covers WBS Marc Conrad University of Bedfordshire

7. Developing the WBS • Divide the total work of the project into major groups... • ...then subdivide these groups into tasks... • ...then divide these tasks into sub-tasks • Subtasks should be small enough to permit adequate control and visibility • But avoid excess bureaucracy! WBS Marc Conrad University of Bedfordshire

8. Redecorated Room Removed old wallpaper Clean room Cover for furniture Cover for electrical switches Newspapers to cover floor. Paint Paint on wall Leftover paint Management products Ladder Brushes and rollers Focus on the product to be delivered and not on the work to do. Underpins PRINCE2® “product-based” approach. Product Breakdown Structure PBS Marc Conrad University of Bedfordshire

9. “Scope Breakdown Structure”(Max Wideman’s approach) • Geographically discrete components • Time based phases and stages • Intermediate or final major deliverables • Discrete structural, process, system or device components • Deliverable elements that can be associated with distinctive types of people-skills or resources • After that, break down the work as in the WBS SBS Recommended Reading! http://www.maxwideman.com/musings/wbswar.htm Marc Conrad University of Bedfordshire

10. Redecorated Room Painted wall Buy paint Buy ladder Buy brushes or rollers Paint room New curtains … Content Family A clean room Cover floor with old newspapers Cover electrical outlets/switches with tape Cover furniture with sheets Dinner in a restaurant … Decision on colours … Note the noun phrases on the top levels (scope breakdown) and the activities on the lower levels! Scope Breakdown Structure(Max Wideman redecorates a room) SBS Marc Conrad University of Bedfordshire

11. Summary • The WBS is used to define the activities that are then further managed. • Consider alternatives: • Work Breakdown Structure • Product Breakdown Structure • Scope Breakdown Structure • Use Common Sense in Breakdown the Project. Summary Marc Conrad University of Bedfordshire