Practice Standard for Work Breakdown Structures - Third Edition: A Comprehensive Guide

A work breakdown structure (WBS) is a hierarchical decomposition of a project into smaller, more manageable components. It provides a visual representation of the project's scope and serves as a roadmap for planning, executing, and controlling the project.

The Practice Standard for Work Breakdown Structures - Third Edition (ANSI/PMI 19-2-017) is a widely recognized standard that provides guidance on the development and use of WBSs in project management. This standard has been updated and revised several times over the years to reflect the latest best practices in project management.

Practice Standard for Work Breakdown Structures - Third Edition

by Project Management Institute

4.4 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	16290 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	201 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

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Key Concepts of the Practice Standard

The Practice Standard for Work Breakdown Structures defines a WBS as a "hierarchical decomposition of the project scope into smaller, more manageable components." It emphasizes that a WBS should be:

• Complete: It should include all the work necessary to complete the project.
• Mutually exclusive: Each component should be distinct and non-overlapping.
• Independent: Components should be arranged in a logical hierarchy, with each component at a lower level being dependent on the components at higher levels.
• Progressive: The WBS should be progressively decomposed into smaller and smaller components until the desired level of detail is reached.

The Practice Standard also provides guidance on the use of WBSs in project management. It recommends that WBSs be used for:

• Planning: WBSs can be used to identify and organize the work that needs to be done, and to estimate the resources and time required to complete the project.
• Execution: WBSs can be used to track progress, manage changes, and control the project budget.
• Control: WBSs can be used to identify and manage risks, and to ensure that the project is completed on time, within budget, and to the required quality standards.

Benefits of Using WBSs

There are many benefits to using WBSs in project management, including:

• Improved communication: WBSs provide a common language for all stakeholders involved in the project, making it easier to communicate about the scope of work and the progress that has been made.
• Increased efficiency: WBSs help to identify and eliminate duplicate work, and to ensure that all of the necessary work is completed.
• Reduced risk: WBSs help to identify and manage risks by breaking the project down into smaller, more manageable components.
• Improved control: WBSs provide a framework for tracking progress, managing changes, and controlling the project budget.

Limitations of WBSs

While WBSs are a valuable tool for project management, there are some limitations to consider. These include:

• Time and effort: Developing and maintaining a WBS can be time-consuming and effort-intensive.
• Complexity: WBSs can become complex, especially for large projects. This can make it difficult to communicate and manage the project.
• Rigidity: WBSs can become inflexible, which can make it difficult to adapt to changes in the project scope.

Applications of WBSs

WBSs are used in a wide variety of industries and applications, including:

• Construction: WBSs are used to plan and manage construction projects of all sizes.
• Software development: WBSs are used to plan and manage software development projects.
• Manufacturing: WBSs are used to plan and manage manufacturing processes.
• Research and development: WBSs are used to plan and manage research and development projects.

The Practice Standard for Work Breakdown Structures - Third Edition is a valuable resource for project managers who want to improve the planning, execution, and control of their projects. By following the guidance provided in this standard, project managers can develop and use WBSs to effectively manage projects of all sizes and complexities.

Practice Standard for Work Breakdown Structures - Third Edition

by Project Management Institute

4.4 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	16290 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	201 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

FREE