Is a hierarchical decomposition of the project work scope into work packages?
Today, project managers are more frequently finding high value in the creation of work breakdown structures (WBS) as they begin the process of project management. Project success may be attributed appropriately to the use of a WBS. Specifically, the planning process group starts with three essential steps: scope planning, scope definition, and work breakdown structure development. The precursor to effective project management is the original structure of work breakdowns. Hence, the more clearly the scope of the project is articulated before the actual work begins, the more likely the success of the project.
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What is Project Management?Project Management is the art of planning, organizing, motivating, and controlling resources, which is very similar to managing a home with protocols; with a marked difference in achieving scientific goals. A Work Breakdown Structure on the other hand is the thorough and specific task of managing a project; one that requires critical planning. Creating a work breakdown structure (WBS) helps you to be both comprehensive and specific when managing a project. Thinking about each and every aspect is critical while planning your project, but you also need to look at the big picture. If you fail to recognize a major part of your project’s work, you won’t have the chance to detail it either. What Is Work Breakdown Structure?Typically, a project work breakdown structure is a framework that combines data, products, or services or a culmination of all. This structure paves the way for a lot of important tasks that can be charted before the start of a project. It serves as a road map for detailed cost estimating, resources, and development of schedules, bearing in mind work schedules, deliverables, and sometimes work packages. There are several types of structures though usually, a traditional one would involve four definite elements. These are:
The idea behind any work breakdown structure (WBS) is to organize several sections of a project into manageable sections. WBS is an extremely detailed plan that can be applied to any type of project management methodology. While creating the structure can be tedious, the completion of one can comfortably predict a project’s success. The construction of a WBS can be done by most fields through information technology projects fit perfectly well within WBS. The PMBOK® defines WBS as a “deliverable oriented hierarchical decomposition of the work to be executed by the project team.” Most project managers create diagrams in illustrating the project schedule and thereby their chain of thought. For example, the WBS clearly defines the scope in chunks that can be managed by several levels of people at the projected time. While this is true, here is what the WBS essentially takes care of:
Steps to Create a Work Breakdown Structure in Project ManagementThe progressive approach to creating a work breakdown structure can be summarized as inputs, tools, techniques, and outputs of the WBS.
Work Breakdown Structure InputsThe inputs in the work breakdown structure include the following:
Project Management PlanOne of the major components of the Project Management Plan is the scope management plan. Below mentioned is the importance of a scope management plan in project management. The Scope Management Plan specifies how to create the WBS from the detailed project scope statement which focuses on how the project scope is defined, developed, monitored, controlled, and verified. Based on these features the WBS will be maintained and approved. Project DocumentsListed below are the examples of project documents that can be considered as input for this process:
? Enterprise Environmental FactorsEnterprise Environmental Factors influence the organization, the project, and its outcome. Every organization has to live and work within the EEF. The Enterprise Environment Factor can be either internal or external. Here’s a look at both the internal and external factors that influence the WBS: Internal FactorsExternal FactorsThe Organizational structure of any organizations that are involved in the project.Industry standards that apply to products or services.Information systems in an organization and their ability to share information.Governmental policies, restrictions, and political climates.Human resources involve their skills and availability.Marketplace conditions that influence pricing and availability of materials and services.Portfolio management policies and processes.Competitor information, like a number of competitors, opportunities, and threats based on the competition.Project Management Office’s policies and processes.Availability of resources, both physical and labor.Estimating, risk, and defect-tracking databases.Changes in the market, either from competition or economic factors.Organizational Process Assets
Tools and Techniques of Work Breakdown StructureThe tools and techniques include the following in the work breakdown structure:
Expert JudgmentTo create an effective WBS, expert judgment is always essential, because the expertise of the experts is used to analyze the information needed to decompose the project deliverables down into smaller parts. Such analysis and expertise is applied to technical details of the project’s scope and used to reconcile differences in opinion on how to best break down the overall scope of the project. DecompositionBreaking down the project deliverables into smaller, more manageable components is called decomposition. The breakdown should not be done until the cost and schedule for the work can be reliably estimated. The level of detail for work packages will depend on the size and complexity of the project.
Work Breakdown Structure – OutputsThe outputs of the work breakdown structure include the following:
Scope BaselineThe scope baseline is the approved version of a scope statement, work breakdown structure (WBS), and its associated WBS dictionary, that can be changed only through formal change control procedures and is used as a basis for comparison. Components of the scope baseline include:
Project Document UpdatesProject documents that may be updated include, but are not limited to, requirements documentation, which may need to be updated to incorporate approved changes. If approved change requests result from the Create WBS process, then the requirements documentation may need to be updated to include recommended changes.
ConclusionAs the essential task of the project manager is to fulfill the stakeholder’s needs, as it is addressed in the Project Management Plan, only a proper WBS lets the project managers plan their work more efficiently by characterizing the project by time-limited activities that are assigned with fixed time frames and costs. Thus, the WBS helps make the project management planning consistent and ensures it assists in effective project execution. Also, Give yourself a chance to enhance your Project Management skills with PMP certification training, and excel in your career. Know more about Project Management best practices through Invensis Learning’s Project Management certification training on Online Training PMP Certification, PMI CAPM Certification, Prince2 Certification, Project Management Fundamentals, etc. Project Management Fundamentals CAPM Exam Prep EXIN Business Analysis Foundation and Practitioner Training Change Management Foundation and Practiitioner Certification Training PMP Certification PRINCE2 Foundation and Practitioner Certification Training Previous articleWhy Program Management is Essential for an Organization Next article10 Common ITIL Implementation Mistakes to Avoid at All Costs Lucy Brown Lucy Brown has many years of experience in the project management domain and has helped many organizations across the Asia Pacific region. Her excellent coordinating capabilities, both inside and outside the organization, ensures that all projects are completed on time, adhering to clients' requirements. She possesses extensive expertise in developing project scope, objectives, and coordinating efforts with other teams in completing a project. As a project management practitioner, she also possesses domain proficiency in Project Management best practices in PMP and Change Management. Lucy is involved in creating a robust project plan and keep tabs on the project throughout its lifecycle. She provides unmatched value and customized services to clients and has helped them to achieve tremendous ROI. Is a hierarchical decomposition of the project scope into work elements to be executed by the project team and produce the project deliverables?A network diagram is a hierarchical decomposition of the project scope into work elements to be executed to produce the project deliverables. The project objective requires completing the project work scope on time and within budget.
What does decomposition of project scope mean?Decomposition of your project in project management means to break down your scope into sizable proportions that are manageable, controllable, and executable. This allows you to control and execute your project deliverable successfully.
Is a hierarchical breakdown of the project work scope into packages to be carried out by the project team that will produce the project deliverables?A work breakdown structure (WBS) is a "deliverable oriented hierarchical decomposition of the work to be executed by the project team" (PMBOK). The WBS visually defines the scope into manageable chunks that a project team can understand, as each level of the WBS provides further definition and detail.
What is the purpose of decomposing the project work into a hierarchical WBS structure?A WBS, as defined in the PMBOK® Guide—Third Edition is “a deliverable-oriented hierarchical decomposition of the work to be executed by the project team to accomplish the project objectives and create the required deliverables. It organizes and defines the total scope of the project.
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