Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) in Project Management

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Project ManagementProject Initiation

• Stakeholder Analysis• Problem Analysis• Objectives Analysis• Alternatives Analysis• SWOT Analysis

Project Planning & Design

• Design & Monitoring Framework (DMF)

• Design Summary• Indicators & Targets• Data Source• Assumptions & Risks

• Work Breakdown Structure• Gantt Chart

Project Implementation,

Monitoring, Controlling and

Evaluation

Project Completion

ACTIVITIES

Design and Monitoring Framework Reference

ACTIVITIES

DesignSummary

PerformanceTargets/Indicators

Data Sources/Reporting Mech.

Assumptions/Risks

Outcome

Impact

Outputs

Activities Inputs

Version

How to prepare the WBS from the DMF (Design and Monitoring Framework)

A tool for breaking down a project into its components and activities. Components are broken down to activities. Activities are broken down to sub-activities. Each lower level sub-activities can be

broken down to further details.

What is a Work Breakdown Structure (WBS)?

It organizes the team’s work into manageable sections.

It is the foundation of project planning and one of the most important techniques used in project management.

Importance of Work Breakdown Structure (WBS)

Importance of WBS

• A WBS visually defines the scope of a project into manageable chunks

• A WBS helps a project team to understand the project because each level of the WBS provides further definition and detail.

To serve as basis for estimating realistic costs

To serve as basis for monitoring progress easily

To serve as basis for building project teams

Why WBS?

Can be organized by Phases

Can be organized by Components

How to organize WBS

NSEC Road Project

NSEC Road Project

Thailand Road Segment

Thailand Road Segment

China Road Segment

China Road Segment

Resettlement Component

Resettlement Component

Capacity Building

Component

Capacity Building

Component

Social Action Plan Component

Social Action Plan Component

Road Component

Road Component

WBS Organized by Phase

Example: North South Economic Corridor Road Project

Lao PDR Road Segment

Lao PDR Road Segment

Resettlement Plan (PRC)

Resettlement Plan (PRC)

Resettlement Plan (Lao PDR)

Resettlement Plan (Lao PDR)

Resettlement Plan (Thai)

Resettlement Plan (Thai)

Income Restoration

Income Restoration

Rural Access Road

Rural Access Road

Water and Sanitation

Water and Sanitation

Community Infrastructure

Community Infrastructure

Env. Impact Assessment &

Monitoring

Env. Impact Assessment &

Monitoring

Policy and Procedure

Policy and Procedure

Stakeholder Analysis

Stakeholder Analysis

Rapid Appraisal and

Evaluation

Rapid Appraisal and

Evaluation

NSEC Road ProjectNSEC Road Project

Resettlement Component

Resettlement Component

Capacity Building Component

Capacity Building Component

Social Action Plan Component

Social Action Plan Component

Road ComponentRoad Component

Road Upgrading

Road Upgrading

Bridge Construction

Bridge Construction

Ferry FacilitiesFerry Facilities

Bypass Road Construction

Bypass Road Construction

WBS organized by Component

Example: North South Economic Corridor Road Project

WBS in Graphical Form

WBS in Outline FormActivity 1. Provide rice intensification training

1.1 Conduct Training Needs Assessment for 5 target villages 1.2 Prepare list of farmer participants from 5 target villages 1.3 Coordinate with local authorities about the training activity 1.3.1 Request venue 1.3.2 Make food arrangements 1.4 Invite resource persons 1.5 Prepare training curriculum 1.6 Preparing training materials & equipment 1.7 Conduct actual training 1.8 Conduct training evaluation 1.9 Conduct follow-up evaluation 1.10 Improve training curriculum based on feedback from participants

There is no single best way to develop a WBS… but we can

use our common sense!