Muhammad Fawad

Creating Work Breakdown

Structure & its Importance
Course on Project Management
Why break up?
Improve work management
Understand resource and time
constraints
Set milestones for progress
See alternative sequencing of
components of work
Course on Project Management
Definition of WBS
Breaks the project scope
Inter-related
Discrete tasks
Hierarchical tree structure
Course on Project Management
Definition of WBS
Breaks the project scope
Inter-related task
Discrete tasks
Hierarchical tree structure
Clear starts
and ends
Course on Project Management
Definition of WBS
Breaks the project scope
Inter-related
Discrete tasks
Hierarchical tree structure
Four possible
relationships
Course on Project Management
Definition of WBS
Breaks the project scope
Inter-related
Discrete tasks
Hierarchical tree structure
1. Finish to Start: Start second task after first one
is finished
Course on Project Management
Definition of WBS
Breaks the project scope
Inter-related
Discrete tasks
Hierarchical tree structure
1. Finish to Start
2. Start to Start: Start second task same time as
first one
Course on Project Management
Definition of WBS
Breaks the project scope
Inter-related
Discrete tasks
Hierarchical tree structure
1. Finish to Start
2. Start to Start
3. Finish to Finish: Start second task so both
finish at same time
Course on Project Management
Definition of WBS
Breaks the project scope
Inter-related
Discrete tasks
Hierarchical tree structure
1. Finish to Start
2. Start to Start
3. Finish to Finish
4. Start to Finish: Second task cannot finish
before first one starts
Course on Project Management
Definition of WBS
Breaks the project scope
Inter-related task
Discrete tasks
Hierarchical tree structure
Lower level tasks inherit the
relationships among higher level
tasks
Course on Project Management
Hierarchy of Activities
A
Level 1: The root
of the tree is the
project name
Course on Project Management
Hierarchy of Activities
A
New Campus Construction
Course on Project Management
Hierarchy of Activities
A
Level 2:
Components of the
entire project
B C D
New Campus Construction
Course on Project Management
Hierarchy of Activities
A
B C D
New Campus Construction
Concrete
Framing
Plumbing
Course on Project Management
Hierarchy of Activities
A
B C D
New Campus Construction
Concrete
Framing
Plumbing
E F
Level 3: Each
level 2 tasks is
broken into its
subcomponents
Course on Project Management
Hierarchy of Activities
A
B C D
New Campus Construction
Concrete
Framing
Plumbing
E F
Install Water
Lines
Install Gas
Lines
Course on Project Management
Create WBS: Inputs
To create a WBS, we have the
following four kinds of inputs:
Organizational Process Assets
Project Scope Statement
Project Scope Management
Plan
Approved Change Requests
Course on Project Management
Create WBS: Outputs
WBS
WBS Dictionary
Scope Baseline
Project Scope Statement
Project Scope Management
Plan Requested Changed
Course on Project Management
Create WBS: Tools &
Techniques
Tools &
Techniques
WBS
Templates
Decomposition
Course on Project Management
Work Breakdown Structure
Templates
Although each project is unique,
some projects will resemble a
prior to some extent. A WBS
from a previous project can
often be used as a template for
a new project
The PMI Practice Standard for Work
Breakdown Structures provides guidance and
templates for the generation, development, and
application of work breakdown structures.
Course on Project Management
Decomposition
The subdivision of project
deliverables into smaller, more
manageable components until
the work and deliverables are
defined at the work-package
level.
Course on Project Management
Work Breakdown Structure
(Graphical)
Course on Project Management
Work Breakdown Structure
(Tree)
1 Riphah International University
1.1 New Campus Construction
1.1.1 Concrete
1.1.1.1 Pour Foundation
1.1.1.2 Install Patio
1.1.1.3 Pour Stairway
1.1.2 Framing
1.1.2.1 Frame Exterior Walls
1.1.2.2 Frame Interior Walls
1.1.2.3 Install Roofing Trusses
1.1.3 Plumbing
1.1.3.1 Install Water Lines
1.1.3.2 Install Gas Lines
1.1.3.3 Install B/K Fixtures
1.1.4 Electrical
1.1.4.1 Install Wiring
1.1.4.2 Install Outlets/Switches
1.1.4.3 Install Fixtures
1.1.5 Interior
1.1.5.1 Install Drywall
1.1.5.2 Install Carpets
1.1.5.3 Install Painting
1.1.6 Roofing
1.1.6.1 Install Felt
1.1.6.2 Install Shingles
1.1.6.3 Install Vents
Course on Project Management
Organization Breakdown
Structure (OBS)
The OBS indicates the
organizational relationships and
is used as the framework for
assigning work responsibilities.
Below is an example of the OBS
for the Riphahs New Campus.
Course on Project Management
Organization Breakdown
Structure (OBS)
CONCRETE
PERF DEPT 6010
Azhar
MASONRY
PERF DEPT 6020
Irfan
TEST
PERF DEPT 6030
Hamza
CIVIL
RESP DEPT
Haseeb
CARPENTRY
PERF DEPT 5010
Ali
ROOFING
PERF DEPT 5020
Jawad
DRYWALL
PERF DEPT 5030
Imran
STRUCTURAL
RESP DEPT
Ali
PERF DEPT 4010
Musghees
HOOKUP/TIE-IN
PERF DEPT 4020
Hammad
ELECTICAL
RESP DEPT
Babar
WATER/SEWER
PERF DEPT 3010
Mudassar
GAS
PERF DEPT 3020
Usman
PLUMBING
RESP DEPT
Misbah
Riphah University
RESP DEPT
Muhammad Fawad
WIRING
Course on Project Management
Responsibility Assignment
Matrix (RAM)
A Responsibility Assignment
Matrix (RAM) uses the Work
Breakdown Structure (WBS)
and the organizational structure
to link deliverables and/or
activities to resources.
Course on Project Management
Responsibility Assignment
Matrix (RAM)
The X defines the specific performing department (from the
OBS) assigned to complete a task (from the WBS).
Course on Project Management
Responsibility Assignment
Matrix (RAM)
Hours and rupees may be used in the RAM rather than an
X. Using our Riphahs New Campus example, the X is
replaced with the hours needed to complete the task.
Course on Project Management
Graphical vs Tree Structure
The graphical structure of the WBS is an
easy way to identify the project
components and relationships of those
components; however, the WBS can be
displayed in another format as well: the
Tree format.
Both formats are acceptable. The graphical
format is at times easier to understand, but
can take up considerable space in a report.
The tree is not as easy to understand but is
more easily incorporated into a report
format.
Course on Project Management
Why we need Work
Breakdown Structure (WBS)
There are some projects that did not
produce a WBS and yet were still
successful. So why is a WBS needed?
Provides a framework for organizing and
managing the approved project scope.
Helps ensure you have defined all the work
that makes up the project.
Provides a framework for planning and
controlling cost and schedule information.
Its better to be deliberate about planning
than rely on luck.
Course on Project Management
Importance of a Work
Breakdown Structure
Tasks
The main purpose of a WBS is to
reduce complicated activities to a
collection of tasks.
Costs
WBS tasks are measurable, the
project management can assign
specific costs to each task.
Course on Project Management
Importance of a Work
Breakdown Structure
Schedule
The WBS is important for tracking
progress in the project schedule.
Scope
The WBS helps define scope by listing
individual tasks that make up the
project.
Responsibility
With a WBS, the project management
assigns responsibility for each of the
tasks
Course on Project Management
Work Breakdown Is
Not an exhaustive list of work
Course on Project Management
Work Breakdown Is
Not an exhaustive list of work
Not a chronology
Course on Project Management
Work Breakdown Is
Not an exhaustive list of work
Not a chronology
Not an organization structure
Course on Project Management
Work Breakdown Is
Not an exhaustive list of work
Not a chronology
Not an organization structure
Not to be changed often
Course on Project Management
Good Work Breakdowns
Easy to understand
Corresponds to job descriptions
Not too detailed
Preserve the most important
relationships among the tasks
Does not add to length of project