Wbs is a good idea to define all the tasks involved in the development of the project. In project management, a work breakdown structure is a deliverableoriented decomposition of a project into smaller components. As can be seen, the following wbs is based on project management process. Showing wbs in tabular form is easy format of wbs in. After that, youll get a real life example from a small software development project. This work breakdown structure example shows that all the elements are listed under wbs levels. In my article how to create a product oriented wbs, i go through this process with an example for a recommendation system. The work breakdown structure wbs is essential for getting a project off the ground. Theres a complete guide to a work breakdown structure on pm basics already. As a project controls trainer myself, im happy to see a training entry in this construction project wbs example. View this wbs example, wbs project, in mindviews mind map library. Wbs information technology projects project management tools. However, differences in perspective and terminology can cause confusion between project managers familiar with a wbs for a system development life cycle sdlc based wbs and agilists who may not be familiar with the role a wbs plays in projects.
Developing this e commerce website information technology. Wbs of sdlc editable work breakdown structure template. Knowledge of the software development life cycle and all its phases and methodologies gives you an endless and powerful set of tools to develop innovative software fast and costeffectively. The work breakdown structure wbs is a vehicle for breaking an engineering project down into subproject, tasks, subtasks, work packages, and so on.
Provides proof of needed resources, time and money. Top tips for developing a work breakdown structure wbs. Construction project wbs examples to get you started. The long example software development project title. A work breakdown structure wbs is a decomposition of all the work necessary to complete a project. Project plan example how to plan a project, step by step. These programs range from handson technical training to. To get to a solid wbs, the project purpose and goals should be established through the. The work breakdown structure wbs is the decomposition of a software project into low level work tasks.
Lets take a look at the purpose of a wbs and the differences between sdlc based and iterative projects. Work breakdown structure wbs sample skeleton wbs for software hardware system development. After that, youll get a reallife example from a small software development project. Out of the top of my head, here is a short list of benefits that a wbs can provide.
What is wbs work breakdown structure in project management. An example would be the finished design model for a ship. Work breakdown structures wbs for software development projects. So an it project wbs done with a waterfall methodology is very different from a wbs for an agile systems development effort or any of the other it methodologies. A free customizable wbs of software development template is provided to download and print. Detailed planning is essential for successful deployment of custom software.
A wbs is to a project manager what a recipe is to a chef. Creately diagrams can be exported and added to word, ppt powerpoint, excel, visio or any other document. This comprehensive plan will take you from planning through closeout without missing a beat. The objective of this product development project is to increase the revenue of the organization by ten percent. Provides a foundation for estimation of resources, duration and costs. Free work breakdown structure templates project management docs. A work breakdown structure wbs is a graphical chart which shows all the parts a project has to deliver in order to meet the project goal. Sign up to download this project plan and get unlimited access to our library of webinars, timesaving templates and more. Generally, creating a work breakdown structure is one of the first steps in project planning for project managers at the beginning of their careers, sometimes the wbs can be confusing and difficult to manage, but it is good that they quickly become familiar. If these two components are kept in control, the project will have a much higher opportunity for.
Work breakdown structure vs project schedule vs project plan. This paper will present some techniques for establishing a work breakdown structure wbs that can address this rapidly changing environment. Quickly get a headstart when creating your own wbs diagram. Id wbs task name tw f 1 1 sample software development. Id wbs task name tw f 1 1 sample software development project. Wbs, phases and control points, methodologies, and life. Our company has a hole in the market when it comes to childrens items. Through this wbs of software development, viewers can get a comprehensive understanding about this process. Developing the work breakdown structure means defining the relationships between the project goals, deliverables and scope. This document provides project managers with a work breakdown structure wbs, which defines all of the application development project s critical deliverables. The work breakdown structure wbs successful projects. Work breakdown structure example with annotations click to see a larger version. Whatever your project will be whether its a request from a client or something your own startup is eager to achieve you need to have a good plan. The best tools to describe project scope are project scope statement, work breakdown structure, and wbs dictionary.
To download the above as a 20k zip file in ms project 2002. Example of a project scope brighthub project management. Lets take a look at the purpose of a wbs and the differences. One best practice in project management is to create a product oriented wbs, that you will use later to structure your planning. Department and project level wbs example wbs and project schedule for new business planning wbs and project schedule for trade show planning ms project template for it software development wbs and project schedule for office relocation party planning wbs and schedule wbs example. At the top of the structure, theres always the final product, service or. Click here editable work breakdown structure wbs template with both tree and tab views. A deliverable basically is the end result or product of a task. Tasks and activities will be grouped under these lowest levels. But to confront the challenges of working in todays volatile economic environment, project managers are increasingly using. Another common source of confusion for beginners is the difference between the work breakdown structure, project schedule, and project plan.
A wbs is arranged in a hierarchy and constructed to allow for clear and logical groupings, either by activities or deliverables. May 26, 20 a wbs is to a project manager what a recipe is to a chef. Use pdf export for high quality prints and svg export for large sharp images or embed your diagrams anywhere with the creately viewer. The tool can be as detailed as the it project manager wants it to be to help manage the project.
A holiday dinner wbs for electromechanical systems project wbs. For example, if the project is to build a house, the wbs defines all the aspects of the finished house, in increasing levels of detail. Id wbs task name 1 1 sample software development project 2 1. It does not specify how the elements of the house are to be constructed, except where the method of construction is an important part of the finished house. This is an example of a work breakdown structure wbs for a.
Application development project work breakdown structure. Work breakdown structure wbs project management docs. Work breakdown structure wbs software project management. Construction project wbs examples to get you started plan. In reality, wbs is a simple and easy visual breakdown of deliverables for product, result, or service. To download the above as a 20k zip file in msproject 2002. Many people have mistaken wbs as a list of tasks, a schedule or an organization chart. The truth is that you need to dedicate a lot of efforts to control the project scope. The work breakdown structure wbs is a view into the project which shows what work the project encompasses. This is my example of a typical construction project work breakdown structure. The project manager and project team use the wbs to develop the project schedule, resource requirements and costs. It does not elaborate about individual tasks or the order of execution in detail. Level 3 shows the major deliverables and level 4 is the.
Applying work breakdown structure to project lifecycle. The work breakdown structure wbs has long served as a valuable tool in helping project managers plan deliverables and detail project scope. Level of effort 1 planning all task management and management activities 1. Wbs is a mandatory part of the scope baseline on all projects. The wbs should represent the work identified in the approved project scope statement and serves as an early. Wbs and project schedule for new business planning. Oct 29, 2019 as a project controls trainer myself, im happy to see a training entry in this construction project wbs example. Unfortunately, the business pressures driving projects have often prevented project managers from developing a comprehensive wbs. Organize the project scope with wbs project scope organized with work breakdown structure into deliverables and work packages.
Wbs of sdlc editable work breakdown structure template on. Instead, wbs provides useful inputs for cost estimating and budgeting, scope control. This is an example of a work breakdown structure wbs for. Theres no need to start from scratch as you approach your next software development project. Apr 01, 2008 wbs will help the project manager set parameters around the scope of work to be done. This document provides project managers with a work breakdown structure wbs, which defines all of the application development projects critical deliverables.
Using wbs in agile online project management software binfire. Decomposition is the process of breaking down the work into smaller, more manageable components. The most complete project management glossary for professional project managers. Work breakdown structure of a software life cycleyou can edit this template and create your own diagram. It is a tool which helps to easily communicate the work and processes involved to execute the project. One work breakdown structure example that will make it clear.
While these three things often describe the same thing what is to be achieved in the project they vary greatly in scope and details. Figure 2 shows the wbs in tabular form and figure 3 shows the wbs in diagram form. Information technology it is a rapidly changing environment. To build a realistic and robust plan, and calculate an accurate project critical path, the project manager must transform the wbs into a set of tasks in the project planning tool that accommodate the development approach. Consider it a precursor to a detailed gantt chart or microsoft project file. Work breakdown structure example template attached. Bouncy bunny counts money will fulfill this hole and further boost our accounting software market to parents of the children using this game. Wbs will help the project manager set parameters around the scope of work to be done. The work breakdown structure in software project management. Today, i want to explain how to do it faster and in a more reliable way and with a reallife example. The work breakdown structure wbs is a commonly used project management tool which helps project teams get a grasp on the various types of work that are required to complete a project. Third, regardless of the methodology, a correctly developed wbs is not a list of activities or to dos. Sign up to download this project plan and get unlimited access to our. Work breakdown structures wbs for software development.
It may be a product, data, a service, transition, or any combination. Project scope is the description of all the work that needs to be done to create deliverables and achieve the project objective. Apr 22, 2020 in project management, a work breakdown structure is a deliverableoriented decomposition of a project into smaller components. Software as a service saas wbs level 1 a wbs dictionary contains more detailed information about elements within a work breakdown structure wbs. It is used to identify all project deliverables and necessary activities. Developing this e commerce website information technology essay. It is difficult to manage a project and produce a product on time and on budget in this environment. A wellcrafted wbs is worded to include all of the work needed to complete the project and purposefully excludes all the anticipated, but unnecessary, diversions and distractions that would slow it. An important point to remember is that in design decomposition, only the lower. This beginnerfriendly guide will help you understand the work breakdown structure and create one on your own. Now let me show you a wbs example with annotations. The wbs is widely used by professional project managers to represent the scope of the project and the results in a hierarchical manner. Just like a good recipe it sets out the required ingredients, equipment, methods, timing and performance indicators. For example, the iteration of sdlc activities and tasks should be represented as well as their task dependencies startto.
Each level of the wbs is a level of detail created by decomposition. If these two components are kept in control, the project will have a much higher opportunity for success. Mar 23, 2016 so an it project wbs done with a waterfall methodology is very different from a wbs for an agile systems development effort or any of the other it methodologies. The lowest levels of wbs shows the project deliverables. The wbs is a useful resource for project management and should be consulted for. The wbs is designed, formatted and managed by means of project management software for example, ms project software, vip task manager software. Work breakdown structure is a project planning tool that is done after the project charter is approved. Building a wbs is not a oneshot task, but it is an interactive and iterative process.
977 252 879 546 918 479 249 1094 1040 623 1017 169 1348 1341 1094 944 1311 1447 903 115 424 1150 76 483 907 398 1472 758 784 1120 296 36 192 384 1072 988 1282 104