1. Estimating and Scheduling CEE 492
Lecture 3
Work Breakdown Structure
(WBS)
© Awad S. Hanna, PhD, P.E.

2. Work Breakdown Structure (WBS)
A hierarchical system which sub-divides larger elements of the project into smaller elements
The smallest unit of the WBS is the work package. Ⓒ
Prof Awad S. Hanna
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3. Ⓒ
Prof Awad S. Hanna

4. Work Breakdown Structure Example
Level
Work Breakdown Structure
Level Description 1
Warehouse
Total Project 2
Administration
Mobilization/
Demobilization
Landscaping
Main
Facility
Subproject 3
Sitework
Footing
Floor
Slab
Masonry
Wall
Steel
Columns
& Joints
Roof
System
Interior
Finishes
Category of Work 4
Excavate
Footings
Form &
Reinforce
Footings
Place
Footings
Work Package 5
Labor
Material
Equipment
Resources Ⓒ
Prof Awad S. Hanna

5. Work Breakdown Structure
Example:
Work Breakdown Structure
Alliant has decided to self perform the electrical work for their new warehouse expansion of 100,000sq.ft, of which 12,500sq.ft is office space. The warehouse space allows 42.65ft and 53.31ft of clearance to the bottom of the exposed roof structure above. The project is located 20miles from Alliant office in Madison, Wisconsin. The site is large with adequate access and plenty of surrounding space for lay down area.
Develop what your team can agree is an appropriate Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) of approximately activities for the entire project. Expand the electrical work node to show more details of electrical construction activities. Be prepared to report back to the class of what your WBS is.
Prof. Awad Hanna
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6. Prof. Awad Hanna
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7. Prof. Awad Hanna
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8. Work Breakdown Structure
Manufacturing / Warehouse Expansion
Site
Development
Foundation
Superstructure
Shell
Interior work
and finishes
(office)
Interior work
and finishes
(warehouse /
Manufacturing)
Alteration
of existing
structure
External work
and Site
improvement
Install
site
drains
Construct
manholes
City
connection
to sanitary
sewer
Install
water
main
Install
sprinkler
fire loop
Secondary
power
cable
Electrical
conduit
Pull
wire
Install
light
fixture
Electrical
panel &
fixture
Test
electrical
system
Prof. Awad Hanna
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9. Bar Chart for Category of WBS
Section
Networks
No Scale
Materials and
Subcontractors
(Procurement)
Site Items
Site Items
Foundations
To Subsequent
Construction
Networks
Completion
Site
Preparation
and Utilities
Essential
Intl. Utilities
Complete Site
Prep and Utilities
Foundation
and
Superstructure
Foundations
Superstructure
Exterior
Building
Skin
External
Walls
Roof
Construction
Roof
Level
Work
Roof Level
Works
Interior
Work and
Finishes
Interior Finishes
Alteration
Work
Alterations
External
Works / Site
Improvements
External Works
1st Stage
External Works Last stage
Prof. Awad Hanna
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10. Step 3: Develop Activity List
Mobilize
Under slab work
Install switch gear and substations
Secondary power cable and supports
Branch conduit for office
Primary conduit
Pull wires for office
Branch conduit
Wall sockets and light fixtures for office
Panels and boxes for office
Pull wire
Road lighting
Wall sockets and light fixtures
Panels and boxes
Test electric for office
Test electrical
Install and test vending equipment for office
Test and activate power
Install and test vending equipment
Punch list
Prof. Awad Hanna
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11. Work Breakdown Structure (Cont.)
The scope of work in each work package should be defined to avoid overlaps and omissions between work packages.
Work packages should be defined in terms of design, construction methods, and completion requirements, with associated performance dates. Ⓒ
Prof Awad S. Hanna

12. Scope of Work Packages Each work packages should be: 1. Manageable
Specific authority and responsibility can be assigned
2. Independent
With minimum interfacing or dependence on other elements
3. Measurable
In terms of progress
4. Integrable Ⓒ
Prof Awad S. Hanna

13. The Project Cost System
Objectives of Establishing Project Cost System
1. Keep the construction costs of the project within the established budget.
2. Develop labor and equipment productivity information for estimating the cost of future work. Ⓒ
Prof Awad S. Hanna

14. Cost Code
Project
Number
Area
Code
Distribution
Code
Work Type Code
0908BN
Cost Code for stripping concrete formwork for bridge deck (Labor) Ⓒ
Prof Awad S. Hanna

15. 0908BN 05 03157.20 3 Project Number Eighth project in 2009 (Bridge)
N = Negotiated Ⓒ
Prof Awad S. Hanna

16. 0908BN 05 03157.20 3 Area Code Geographic location OR
Associate field cost with specific supervisor or management Ⓒ
Prof Awad S. Hanna

17. 0908BN 05 03157.20 3 Work Type Code 03 Concrete 0315 Concrete Formwork
Wood Concrete Formwork
Wood Concrete Formwork for Deck
Wood Concrete Formwork for Abutment Ⓒ
Prof Awad S. Hanna

18. 0908BN 05 03157.20 3 Distribution Code 1. Total 2. Material 3. Labor
4. Equipment
5. Sub-Contract Ⓒ
Prof Awad S. Hanna

19. Cost Code and Cost Control
All items of expense are charged to the project where they are incurred.
"General" or "miscellaneous“ cost accounts should not be used, it is poor practice, and should be avoided.
For the cost code to serve its basic purpose, it must be understood and used consistently by all company personnel. Ⓒ
Prof Awad S. Hanna

20. Cost Accounting Reports
Cost report intervals are a function of the project size, nature of the work, and the type of contract involved.
There must be a balance between the cost of generating the reports and the value of the management information received. Ⓒ
Prof Awad S. Hanna

21. Cost Codes The most widely used cost codes are
Masterformat, CSI (Construction Specifications Institute)
Uniformat, UCI (Uniform Construction Index).
Masterformat is widely used by software packages and government agencies. Ⓒ
Prof Awad S. Hanna

22. Cost Codes (Cont.) Masterformat Uniformat Has 16/50 divisions
Divisions were developed according to trades
Uniformat
Has 12 divisions
Tends to follow the progress of construction Ⓒ
Prof Awad S. Hanna

23. Relationship Between UNIFORMAT & MASTERFORMATⒸ
Prof Awad S. Hanna