It is apparent that project or work management comes with a plethora of accountabilities and aspects in today’s world. And one among those aspects is WBS (work breakdown structure). It is an unambiguous fact that breaking tasks into smaller and more manageable fragments makes the workflow much more effortless. Regardless of the nature of the task, every task can be divided into parts, eventually resulting in better and more efficient results. WBS in project management allows project managers to break down each step of their projects and consider all tasks to achieve the final outcomes.

It is interesting enough to say that work/project management is the art of making things happen. Indeed, this is one of the enduring truths of project management. So today, we will explain how WBS is helping businesses thrive.

What exactly Work Breakdown Structure is?

A work breakdown structure is a project’s visual, hierarchical, and result-oriented anatomy to make tasks look accessible and approachable.

As Rory Burke emphasized,

“Project management can be defined as a way of developing structure in a complex project, where the independent variables of time, cost, resources, and human behavior come together.

This diagram basically helps project managers break down their project scope and visualize all the tasks better for successful project completion. The project’s phases, levels, and steps are systematically outlined in the work breakdown structure, making it an essential project planning tool.

If explained more precisely, 

A WBS in project management is a winning formula for effective project planning, execution, controlling, scrutinizing, and reporting. WBS is the binding phase in project management which is presented as a hierarchical structure of the entire project. It generally starts with the overall project at the top, followed by sub-projects, work packages, and assigned tasks. All the work incorporated within the work breakdown structure must be identified, estimated, scheduled, and budgeted.

To understand this diagrammatically, follow the figure given below;

https://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=https%3A%2F%2Fcdnb.ganttpro.com%2Fuploads%2F2022%2F05%2Fa-simple-example-of-a-work-breakdown-structure-1024×661.png&imgrefurl=https%3A%2F%2Fblog.ganttpro.com%2Fen%2Fwork-breakdown-structure-example-wbs%2F&tbnid=zrD0JYG8Hn-kVM&vet=12ahUKEwiPzo-igKP7AhUC9DgGHUo-BQsQMygaegUIARD7AQ..i&docid=DrSn_cjb-i6avM&w=1024&h=661&q=general%20work%20break%20down%20diagram&ved=2ahUKEwiPzo-igKP7AhUC9DgGHUo-BQsQMygaegUIARD7AQ

The WBS flowchart begins with “Project Goal,” which defines all the essential objectives of the project and always remains at the top. Secondly, the tasks are sub-categories into Task1, Task2, and so on. And thirdly, those tasks are usually fragmented into sub-asset classes, let’s say Task 1.1, Task 1.2.

Other essential attributes that always remind obligatory in WBS are;

  • Project Planning
  • Project Scheduling
  • Project Budgeting
  • Risk Management
  • Resource Management
  • Task & Team Management

The four levels of WBS in Project Management

As aforementioned, no matter how big, large, demanding, and inept the project is; the work breakdown structure can be used for all. With the help of this efficient project management tool, the project can be broken down into more manageable pieces to make scheduling, planning, and delivery easy. From there this elaborate structure has four major levels:

The top-level: the final deliverable, the aim or let’s say the project title.

Controls Section: the major deliverables and phases of the project.

Work packages: the group of tasks leading the controls.

Project Activities: comprises all the tasks required to complete given work packages.

The positives of using A Work Breakdown structure

No matter what industry you serve, you must use work breakdown structures to bring outstanding results. Here are the common benefits work breakdown structure has to offer;

Induces Efficiency

Apparently, an efficacious work breakdown structure efficiency encourages every industry to organize and manage different tasks by breaking them into step-by-step approaches. This eventually increases the probability of achieving business objectives more efficiently, and that too in no time!

Leads your business in the Right Direction

Whether small or big, every business needs the right approach to make the workflow efficient. It is no secret that most businesses fail due to a lack of direction. Thus, using a work breakdown structure in project management staves off this snag by providing the right direction.

Saves Extra Time and Efforts

WBS in project management helps the project managers and the entire workforce visualize critical aspects of the project they are working on. Indeed, a work breakdown structure diagram erases the shady areas in business operations; assists you by informing you of the risks and threats while working on a project. In a nutshell, this smart approach breaks down long and complicated tasks into subtasks that are easy to achieve.

Capping it!

Whether project management, streamlining processes, or designating tasks, Work breakdown structures are an effective solution to all your project management-related woes. Needless to say, we at QDV provide a well-organized estimation commencing with a WBS based on your project’s functional, geographical, or business data set. Best of all, it is compatible with other pricing software and escalation tools; it’s a win-win!