Work breakdown structure
Contents |
[edit] Introduction
Work breakdown structures are used mainly in project management and systems engineering. They were first developed by the US Defense department in 1957 as part of the development of the Polaris missile programme and further developed by NASA in 1962.
A work breakdown structure (WBS) is a system of breaking down a project or programme into manageable tasks, phases, deliverables or work packages (subdivision of effort). However, it is not a recipe for how a project should be constructed nor is it just a list of tasks, a schedule or an organisation chart - although it provides a basis from which a schedule or task list can be created. The benefit of a WBS is that it allows detailed thinking at the micro level without losing sight of the macro picture.
An example is the building of a house which represents the top-level deliverable. Starting with this end objective, WBS determines a hierarchy by subdividing the project into manageable components (or sub-deliverables, eg systems, subsystems, components, tasks and subtasks), thereby defining all the necessary steps to achieve the end goal (ie the finished building) in increasing levels of detail.
For example, this may mean:
- Level 1 Top-level deliverable or project (the finished building).
- Level 2: Sub-dividing the project into main components, eg substructure and superstructure.
- Level 3: Breaking down each component into smaller components (eg substructure > excavation).
- Level 4: breaking down each component into more components. (eg excavation > place reinforcement)
- Level n: Final breakdown into smallest component (eg place reinforcement > pour concrete)
The process is broken down until a point is reached at which sufficient detail exists to allow precise planning and management. This lowest level is known as Level n (see above). At this level, the work is assigned to a specific department or unit to undertake the work. Furthermore, each of the Level n components can have its own cost account and allocated its own budget to produce the deliverable. In this way, integrating cost with the WBS allows the tracking of financial performance in addition to project performance.
There should be no scope overlap between the different elements of a WBS. If this was the case, there could be ambiguity and possible duplication of work, as well as cost-accounting confusion.
In terms of representation, a WBS can be shown vertically as a tree or horizontally in outline form.
The 100 per cent rule is a central tenet of WBS that guides its development, composition and evaluation. It holds that a WBS will contain 100% of the work defined by the project scope and will account for all deliverables (whether internal, external or interim work to be completed). The WBS can only include 100% of the work of the project and should not include any work that falls outside the project scope. All the work in each work package must add up to 100% of the work necessary to complete that work package and all work packages must add up to 100% of the top-level deliverable. This is analogous to a pie chart in which the total area of all segments (irrespective of how many segments there are) must be equal to the total area of the circle.
[edit] Breakdown structures for bill of quantities
According to NRM2, RICS new rules of measurement, Detailed measurement for building work, there are three main breakdown structures for bill of quantities (BQBS):
- Elemental
- Work section
- Work package
For more information see: Bill of quantities breakdown structures
[edit] Cost breakdown structure
According to NRM2, in the context of bill of quantities, a cost breakdown structure (CBS) ‘…represents the financial breakdown of a building project into cost targets for elements or work packages.’
For more information see: Cost breakdown structure
[edit] Work breakdown structure dictionary
Earned Value Management Handbook, Published by the Association for Project Management in March 2013 suggests that:
Projects may use a work breakdown structure dictionary (WBSD), the purpose of which is to describe the entire scope of work to be undertaken within the project. It For each element of the WBS, the dictionary should contain:
The WBS dictionary should include all elements to be sub-contracted and should specifically identify the sub-contractor undertaking the WBS element. |
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
- Bill of quantities breakdown structures
- Contractor's master programme.
- Cost breakdown structure.
- Design web.
- Earned value.
- Fast-track construction.
- Key performance indicators.
- Line of balance (LOB).
- Logic links.
- Milestones.
- Organisation breakdown structure.
- Pareto analysis.
- Precedence diagram method.
- Product breakdown structure.
- Project crashing.
- Resource leveling.
- Scheduling construction activities.
Featured articles and news
Quality Planning for Micro and Small to Medium Sized Enterprises
A CIOB Academy Technical Information sheet.
A briefing on fall protection systems for designers
A legal requirement and an ethical must.
CIOB Ireland launches manifesto for 2024 General Election
A vision for a sustainable, high-quality built environment that benefits all members of society.
Local leaders gain new powers to support local high streets
High Street Rental Auctions to be introduced from December.
Infrastructure sector posts second gain for October
With a boost for housebuilder and commercial developer contract awards.
Sustainable construction design teams survey
Shaping the Future of Sustainable Design: Your Voice Matters.
COP29; impacts of construction and updates
Amid criticism, open letters and calls for reform.
The properties of conservation rooflights
Things to consider when choosing the right product.
Adapting to meet changing needs.
London Build: A festival of construction
Co-located with the London Build Fire & Security Expo.
Tasked with locating groups of 10,000 homes with opportunity.
Delivering radical reform in the UK energy market
What are the benefits, barriers and underlying principles.
Information Management Initiative IMI
Building sector-transforming capabilities in emerging technologies.
Recent study of UK households reveals chilling home truths
Poor insulation, EPC knowledge and lack of understanding as to what retrofit might offer.
Embodied Carbon in the Built Environment
Overview, regulations, detail calculations and much more.
Why the construction sector must embrace workplace mental health support
Let’s talk; more importantly now, than ever.
Ensuring the trustworthiness of AI systems
A key growth area, including impacts for construction.