Guide on Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) as per PMBOK Guide Seventh Edition
The Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) is an integral part of project management as outlined in the PMBOK Guide Seventh Edition.
Why it is important:
WBS is an essential project management tool that visually defines the scope into manageable chunks that a project team can understand, as each level of the structure gives further definition and detail. It determines and schedules the tasks necessary for project completion.
What it is:
The WBS is a hierarchical decomposition of the total scope of work to be carried out by the project team to accomplish the project objectives and create the required deliverables. It organizes and defines the total scope of the project, and represents the work specified in the current approved project scope statement.
How it works:
WBS starts with the project’s objectives and breaks them down into manageable tasks. These tasks are further broken down into tasks and subtasks until they are manageable enough to estimate the resources, time, and cost required to complete each task.
Exam Tips: Answering Questions on Work Breakdown Structure (WBS):
- Understand the structure of WBS. Know that it starts from a single project objective and breaks down into smaller, manageable tasks.
- Remember that no task should be left from the WBS. If it’s not in the WBS, it’s not in the scope of the project.
- PMBOK states that WBS is 'deliverables-oriented'. This means that WBS is focused on the deliverables or the outputs, not on the activities.
- When answering questions, always refer to the WBS for any changes to the scope, schedule, and costs. Basically, any changes to the project must align with the WBS.
- Be careful with WBS related questions, they may seem simple but could be tricky. Read the questions and the answer options carefully.
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Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) practice test
The Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) is a project management concept that visually organizes a project's scope into a hierarchical structure. The WBS is divided into manageable sections representing deliverables, allowing project managers to allocate resources and calculate timeframes for project tasks. By breaking down the project into smaller components, communication and collaboration are facilitated among team members. The WBS also allows for tracking project progress at various levels, providing a clear view of overall progress and any problematic areas that may require attention. The WBS serves as the foundation for project planning, resource allocation, scheduling, risk assessment, and performance monitoring.
Time: 5 minutes Questions: 5
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