W ORK B REAKDOWN S TRUCTURE (WBS)

W ORK B REAKDOWN S TRUCTURE  A method to organize the project total scope of work in a hierarchical structure where each level represents an increased detail of the level above it.  The items at the lowest level in a WBS are referred to as Work Packages  Work packages may be further decomposed into work activities.  The WBS is used to help in project planning and control as well as to develop a common understanding of the scope of the project.

W ORK B REAKDOWN S TRUCTURE

C RITERIA FOR WBS ‡ The major components should indicate the deliverables of the project ‡ Lower level components should be measurable to allow scheduling, budgeting, and evaluating progress ‡ Breakdown must allow assignment of responsibility for work items

H OW TO BUILD A WBS Begin with the Plan, focusing on Objectives and Deliverables Break the main product(s) down into sub-products Set the structure to match how you’ll manage the project Lowest level not too detailed, not too large Identify support activities Check for completeness - is all the effort included? Develop a coding structure if needed Assign work package managers

G ANTT CHART A Gantt chart is a type of bar chart, developed by Henry Gantt, that illustrates a project schedule.bar chartHenry Ganttproject schedule Gantt charts illustrate the start and finish dates of the terminal elements and summary elements of a project.project

G ANTT C HART / B AR C HART

G ANTT CHART Gantt chart can provide following optional information too, Planned vs. actual view of the project % completion of activities Overall project progress/ status Activities on critical path