Create WBS


The Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) is one of the most important documents in all of project management. It is a deliverable-oriented breakdown of the tasks to be done for the execution of the project. The project team works from the WBS and uses it as a guiding document throughout the project. As the WBS is broken down, each lower level gives detail to the task it is breaking down. The inputs, which have been previously discussed, are the organizational process assets, project Scope Statement, project Scope Statement plan, and approved changes requests.

The breaking down of the WBS is called decomposition. The verb used to describe this process is "to decompose." The purpose of WBS decomposition is to make the tasks listed manageable. For instance, if a listed task takes eight weeks, you do not have enough control over the task to make it happen on time. You need to decompose the task into smaller units. Generally, the largest unit you can actually manage is considered 40 hours or five days. So any task that is longer than that in your WBS should be broken down to give you control of the sub-tasks as you go through the project.

Identifying major deliverables of the project is another factor that comes from decomposing the WBS. If you are running the project with each major life cycle shown in your WBS, each phase of the life cycle will have deliverables against which you can measure your success. Give yourself clear deliverables that are manageable, and you will be able to control your project. Vague or unclear deliverables, particularly ones that are due a long time from where you are now, are almost certain to cause major problems as you manage the project.

Q.

________ is the breaking down of the WBS.

 

A.

Scope definition

 

B.

Decomposition

 

C.

Scope verification

 

D.

Scope management


The answer is B. Decomposition is the word used in the PMBOK to define the breaking down of the WBS.

Q.

Generally, the largest unit that you can manage in the WBS is ________ hours.

 

A.

10

 

B.

20

 

C.

50

 

D.

40


The answer is D. If the tasks listed in the WBS are longer than this, it will be difficult to control them.

One tip. It is important to note the differences in tasks on your new WBS as well as the similarities with those that were already used. Although tasks that are the same in historical projects will work well for creating a WBS for a new project, it is the managing of the variances between any previous project and the current one that will determine how well you project manage. Always look for variances; these are the tasks that need to be controlled in order to execute a successful project.

When creating a WBS, you should always verify the correctness of the decomposition. Look for and work for clarity in the definitions of the items in the WBS. Also determine whether each of the tasks listed and decomposed is manageable. The other side of this issue is to look at whether too much detail has been done. It is just as injurious to the project to have too many tasks listed as it is to have too few. The tendency is to get into micromanagement of the project, and this almost always leads to delays in work. Managing sufficient detail is necessary for executing a successful project. Over-managing small details will waste time and cause unnecessary delays.

Q.

When you decompose a WBS, you should have ________ results to measure.

 

A.

Verifiable, tactical

 

B.

Tactical, concrete

 

C.

Verifiable, tangible

 

D.

Tangible, tactical


The answer is C. Always have these types of results, or else you will not have a good way of measuring whether the task has been done.

The inputs into the creation of WBS process are the organizational process assets, the project Scope Statement, the project management plan, and approved change requests.

The tools and templates for the creation of a WBS are templates of work breakdown structures, templates, and decomposition. WBS templates are tools that come from past projects. Because the definition of a project is a unique event, it is certain that no template will fit exactly for a new project. However, it is likely that some past templates will include tasks that are the same as the ones on a new project, and because they have already been done, they can serve as a guideline for your new WBS. Some WBS templates become standards in organizations and can be used again and again.

The outputs from creating a WBS are an updated project Scope Statement, a Work Breakdown Structure, a WBS dictionary, the scope baseline, an updated scope management plan, and requested changes.

The WBS is not the only kind of breakdown structure that can be found in project management. One of the other types of breakdown structures is the Organizational Breakdown Structure, or OBS. This document shows how the organizational structure is organized.

Another breakdown structure that may be found on projects is the Risk Breakdown Structure, or RBS. This shows the hierarchy of the various risks of the project.

Unfortunately, the Resource Breakdown Structure has the same initials: RBS. The Resource Breakdown Structure shows the hierarchy of the resources to be used on the project.

Finally, there is a Bill of Materials, or BOM. This shows the components needed to make a finished product or service.

Q.

The letters RBS stand for both Resource Breakdown Structure and the ________ Breakdown Structure.

 

A.

Ratified

 

B.

Real

 

C.

Risk

 

D.

Random


The answer is C. Make sure you know which breakdown is being considered when you see the letters RBS.

The WBS dictionary is a document created in the WBS creation process that contains detailed information about the tasks and components found in the WBS. This document is not always created in every organization for every project. When it is created, a WBS dictionary can be as detailed or simple as needed for control of the project.

The scope baseline is just that. It is the final baseline to be used to begin the execution of the project. As an output of the WBS, it gives you a detailed look at all the tasks that are needed to execute the project successfully.

Q.

Detailed information about the tasks and components found in the WBS can be stored in a ________.

 

A.

Scope Statement

 

B.

WBS dictionary

 

C.

Scope database

 

D.

Schedule database


The answer is B. The WBS dictionary is helpful in holding detail about the tasks listed in the WBS.



Passing the PMP Exam. How to Take It and Pass It
Passing the PMP Exam: How to Take It and Pass It: How to Take It and Pass It
ISBN: 0131860070
EAN: 2147483647
Year: 2003
Pages: 167
Authors: Rudd McGary

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