WBS contains all the tasks involved in a project. WBS helps in planning and monitoring projects. This belongs to the project scope management knowledge area. It’s about breaking work down to manageable units. It’s called decomposition. This is done to manage the work in terms of allocation of tasks and cost as well. Highest level is the project. The second level can be phases or major deliverables or sub projects. While creating WBS expert opinion should be taken.
If WBS is created properly it helps in the following activities:
1. Defining responsibilities i.e. allocating tasks.
2. Allowing better control
3. Facilitating project scheduling
4. Facilitating accurate cost estimates
5. Accurate progress reports for stakeholders.
Inputs to create WBS process:
Outputs from initiating & planning processes become input for the create WBS process. The inputs are project scope statement, requirements doc & organizational process assets.
A template can be used from previous project while creating the WBS. Work package follow the 8/80 rule. Typically a work package should take 8 to 80 hours. If hours are more than 80, it should be further decomposed. For a work package, it should be possible to estimate time and cost and should be possible to apply quality criteria.
To verify the WBS, we should check if the work package is clear & complete and if the work package is necessary. We should ensure that the identification code is logical. Expert judgment should be considered to verify WBS. All the work packages should sum up to 100% of the project work.
Inputs to create WBS process:
Outputs from initiating & planning processes become input for the create WBS process. The inputs are project scope statement, requirements doc & organizational process assets. While decomposing the project work we should not confuse between activities and deliverables. Each element of the WBS should be a deliverable.
A template can be used from previous project while creating the WBS. Work package follow the 8/80 rule. Typically a work package should take 8 to 80 hours. If hours are more than 80, it should be further decomposed. For a work package, it should be possible to estimate time and cost and should be possible to apply quality criteria.
To verify the WBS, we should check if the work package is clear & complete and if the work package is necessary. We should ensure that the identification code is logical. Expert judgment should be considered to verify WBS. All the work packages should sum up to 100% of the project work.
The Steps of Decomposition
1. Identify deliverables
2. Decompose deliverables
3. Assign identification to components
4. Verify the work breakdown structure (WBS)
Finalizing WBS
To finalize the WBS earned value analysis (EVA) is done. As part of this scope creep is detected and scope, cost, performance and schedule are checked against baselines.
To establish control over a project, WBS is finalized by adding control accounts at strategic management points. It enables the PM to do EVA.
Outputs:
1. Finalized WBS
2. WBS Dictionary
3. Scope Baseline
4. Update to project documents
Recent Comments