CSSE September.2008 Work Breakdown Structure Chapter 4

Outline What is it? When’s it complete? How do I make one? What’s it look like?

Definitions Activity Chunk of work made up of 2 or more tasks Task Work to be done Work package Complete description of how the tasks that make up an activity will actually be done

Let’s see a picture…

CotD

Different Perspectives Thought process tool Architectural tool Planning tool Project status reporting tool

For small projects… You can use a tool like “mind mapping” to do it: Fig 4-2 – A typical mindmap generated by MindManager.

When’s it complete? Status/completion is measurable Activity is bounded Activity has a deliverable Time and cost are easily estimated Activity duration is with acceptable limits Work assignments are independent

How do I make one? Noun-type Physical decomposition Functional decomposition Verb-type Design-build-test-implement Objectives Organizational-type Geographical Departmental Business process Let’s look at one more example:

372 Extra Credit What is a Gantt Chart? How is a Gantt chart used? What if any similarities does it have with a WBS? Drop Box for Submission (Lessons - Extra Credit - Week 2 - Gantt Chart)

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1. Guest 1.1 Develop guest list 1.2 Design invitations 1.3 Deliver invitations 2. Food 2.1 Develop menu 2.2 Buy groceries 2.3 Make food 2.4 Design buffet layout Accommodate hot food Accommodate cold food 3. Pre-party housekeeping 3.1 Vacuum floors 3.2 Dust shelves 3.3 Take out garbage 3.4 Change bed linens 4. Post-party cleanup 4.1 Separate recyclables 4.2 Vacuum floors 4.3 Take out garbage

Let’s try something slightly messier: “How to build a house.” As a team, see if you can list the major steps required, in order. Put your answers on the quiz. Then we’ll see Does “Form follow function?” in building a house? How is this one like a software project?

Now try it for “Student Feedback Project”… Use your feature list as the “nouns.” See what kind of decomposition this would give you. List activities under each feature, etc. Put your answers on the quiz.

Friday We’ll do one, as teams, for Your team’s project… So, bring with you any info you already know about “what it is” Beforehand, think about the basic method of decomposition which might work (Noun-type, Verb-type, or Organizational-type). Thursday – We’ll discuss estimating, which also will be a part of Friday’s activity.

Questions?