Last updated on 11th April 2024
Work Breakdown Structure (or WBS, as it’s sometimes known) is about dividing a project into smaller, more digestible chunks, making it easier to plan, execute, and monitor.
In this guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about work breakdown structures: what they are, how to create them, and how to use them effectively in your project planning.
We’ll also provide some templates and examples to get you started. So let’s dive in!
Article Contents
What is a work breakdown structure?
A work breakdown structure is a planning tool used by project managers to break down the work of a project into smaller, more manageable ‘pieces’ in order to make it easier to track progress – as well as identify potential issues.
As an organisational tool, WBS helps to assign roles for each task and subtask and define who’s responsible for what.
Typically created from the project scope, a WBS lets teams map out all tasks that need to be completed from beginning to end, starting with the larger activities and breaking them down into more granular detail until every element of the project has been accounted for.
With its flexibility and scalability, this popular planning tool can easily be modified along the way to adjust for changes or environmental factors that arise during the lifetime of a project.
The benefits of using a WBS
So, we’ve established that a work breakdown structure is an incredibly useful tool for project managers. What are the actual benefits of working in this way?
1. Improved project planning
A WBS breaks down complex projects into smaller, more manageable tasks, making it easier to plan and schedule the work that needs to be completed.
By identifying all the stuff that needs to be done, you can create a more accurate project plan, including timelines, milestones, and deliverables – keeping your entire project running smoothly and optimising chances of success.
2. Better resource allocation
With a detailed WBS, you can identify the specific resources needed for each task, including people, equipment, time and materials.
This lets you allocate resources more efficiently and effectively – ensuring that everyone and everything is being used to their fullest potential.
3. Greater project control
A work breakdown structure provides a clear and comprehensive overview of the project, allowing you to monitor progress, identify potential issues, and make necessary adjustments as issues arise.
By breaking the project down into smaller pieces, you can track progress more easily and keep everyone on the same page.
4. Enhanced communication
A WBS can serve as a valuable communication tool, since it lets you share project information with team members, stakeholders, and other relevant parties.
By presenting the project in a clear, structured format, you can facilitate communication and ensure that everyone understands what needs to be done and when.
People can grasp not only their own role in the bigger picture of your project, but also understand what others are working on.
5. Improved risk management
With a work breakdown structure, you can identify potential risks and develop strategies to mitigate them.
By breaking the project down into smaller pieces, you can identify areas where risks are more likely to occur and take steps to address them before they become major issues.
The different types of work breakdown structure
Further underlining the flexibility of this way of working, there are a variety of different types of WBS to be used and adapted depending on the needs of your project.
1. Deliverable-oriented WBS
This type of WBS focuses on the end deliverables of the project and breaks them down into smaller, more manageable tasks. Each task is assigned to a specific team or individual responsible for completing it.
WORKS BEST FOR: Projects with clearly defined outcomes.
If you were building a website, you could start by laying out your deliverables – all the different components that are required to be completed. These might include:
Project Plan
Wireframes and Mockups
Web Content (Text, Images, Videos)
User Interface Design
Front-end Development
Back-end Development
Testing
Launch
Within this, each deliverable could be assigned its own range of tasks, allocated to teams or team members, and given deadlines.
2. Phase-oriented WBS
This type of WBS breaks down the project into phases, with each phase representing a major milestone or objective. Each phase is further broken down into smaller tasks, allowing for better project management and monitoring.
WORKS BEST FOR: Projects with distinct stages.
Each phase would then be given its own set of tasks and assigned to specific people.
In a phase-oriented WBS, you start by identifying the different project phases it needs to pass through.
So, hypothetically, if you were developing a new product, these might be:
Concept Development
Design
Prototyping
Testing
Launch
Each phase would then be given its own set of tasks and assigned to specific people.
3. Organisational-oriented WBS
This type of WBS is based on the organisational structure of the project team. Tasks are grouped according to the team or department responsible for completing them, making it easier to allocate resources and track progress.
WORKS BEST FOR: Projects with multiple departments or stakeholders involved.
You might use an organisational-oriented WBS for a construction project by dividing the project up into the required ‘departments’ involved. These might include:
Plumbers
Electricians
Suppliers
Bricklayers
Surveyors
The WBS would be organised around these vendors, with each one responsible for completing their specific tasks related to the construction project.
But – as the overall project manager – you’d have a clear overview of what each team had to work on to get the job done.
4. Activity-oriented WBS
This type of WBS breaks down the project into specific activities or tasks that need to be completed, regardless of the end deliverable. Each activity is assigned to a specific team or individual responsible for completing it.
WORKS BEST FOR: Projects with many interdependent tasks.
If you were setting up a conference, you might create an Activity-oriented WBS that was based around the various interdependent tasks and activities required to get this up and running. For example:
Conference Program
Venue and Logistics
Speakers and Presentations
Marketing and Communications
Attendee Experience
Budget and Financials
Sponsorship and Exhibitors
Evaluation and Feedback
Tasks for each deliverable could then be assigned to teams or individuals, with specific deadlines for completion.
5. Hybrid WBS
This type of WBS combines two or more of the above types, depending on the needs of the project. For example, a hybrid WBS may include a phase-oriented WBS for overall project management, with an activity-oriented WBS for specific tasks or deliverables.
WORKS BEST FOR: Projects where you have a ‘mix’ of any or all of the other types of WBS and need to use a highly customised WBS to suit the needs of the project team.
In this example project, the WBS could be organised into both deliverables and phases. For example, the project might be broken down into distinct phases, such as:
Design
Development
Testing
Deployment
These would each have their own set of deliverables, such as wireframes, prototypes, and code releases. But within each phase, the WBS could also be organised according to the various departments involved in the project, such as:
The development team
The design team
The quality assurance team
The project management team.
Each department would be responsible for completing their specific tasks related to the project, with clear deadlines and dependencies.
A hybrid WBS would be necessary in this project because it would allow for both deliverable-based and phase-based management, as well as departmental management.
This would provide a more comprehensive and flexible structure for managing the project, ensuring that all deliverables are completed on time and within budget while also allowing for more efficient departmental coordination and resource allocation.
In essence a hybrid WBS offers the best of both worlds – a high-level overview of the project’s phases and deliverables, as well as a more detailed breakdown of the tasks and responsibilities within each department.
How to Create a WBS
Developing a WBS isn’t difficult – all it takes is understanding the basics of project management and following a few steps.
1. Identify the major deliverables
The first step is to identify the major deliverables or outcomes that the project aims to achieve. These are usually the key objectives or milestones of the project.
2. Break down deliverables into sub-deliverables
Once the major deliverables have been identified, break them down into smaller, more manageable sub-deliverables. This step involves breaking down the major objectives into smaller, more specific tasks that need to be completed to achieve them.
3. Continue breaking down until you reach manageable tasks
Continue breaking down the sub-deliverables into smaller and more manageable tasks until you have reached a level of detail that is sufficient for project planning and management. This level of detail will depend on the complexity and size of the project.
4. Organise the tasks
Organise the tasks into a hierarchical structure that shows the relationship between the different tasks. This structure will help in project planning and tracking progress.
5. Assign resources and estimate time
Assign resources and estimate the time required to complete each task. This will help in determining the project schedule and budget.
6. Review and refine
Review and refine the WBS to ensure that it accurately reflects the scope of the project and that all necessary tasks have been included.
7. Use the WBS as a reference
Once the WBS has been created, use it as a reference tool throughout the project to ensure that all tasks are completed as planned and that the project stays on track.
Work Breakdown Structure: A Summary
To recap, creating a work breakdown structure (WBS) is a critical step in planning and managing a project.
By breaking down a project into smaller, manageable deliverables, the project team can organise their work, allocate resources effectively, and track progress more easily.
If you’re looking for the best way to manage your projects, then why not try using Project.co? With Project.co, you can easily create your project, set up tasks, invite your team, allocate tasks to team members, and give them deadlines – all in one central location. This allows you to have a clear overview of where things are at in your project and who is working on what at every stage.
Project.co makes project management simple, streamlined, and efficient, helping you to get your project completed on time and within budget.
So why not give it a try? Sign up today – for free! – and get started right away.