FAQs
Each WBS usually has 4 levels: the project objective, tasks, subtasks, and work packages. The structure should include 100% of the work needed to complete the project. You can make a WBS in project management software for easier use throughout your project.
What are the 5 levels of WBS? ›
The phase-based WBS breaks the project down into five distinct stages: initiation, planning, execution, control, and close. Within each of these stages are unique deliverables.
What is level 3 in WBS? ›
The third and lowest level shows work packages. Most WBS charts have 3 levels, but you can add more depending on the complexity of your projects.
What are the levels of WBS tree? ›
At the top level is the project ultimate goal, the second level contains the project outcomes, the third level has the project outputs, and the fourth level with activities. Depending on the size and complexity of the project, the WBS may contain a fourth level that describe the tasks.
What is the difference between WBS Level 1 and Level 2? ›
Deliverable-Based Work Breakdown Structure
In Figure 1, the Level 1 Elements are summary deliverable descriptions. The Level 2 Elements in each Leg of the WBS are all the unique deliverables required to create the respective Level 1 deliverable.
What are the top 4 levels of the WBS? ›
The WBS is an element of the scope baseline, and thus, a part of the project management plan. Each WBS usually has 4 levels: the project objective, tasks, subtasks, and work packages. The structure should include 100% of the work needed to complete the project.
What is a WBS hierarchy? ›
A work breakdown structure is a hierarchical decomposition of an entire project into smaller and more manageable components or tasks. A work breakdown schedule, on the other hand, is a time-based plan that shows the duration and order of each task in the work breakdown structure.
What is a Level 1 WBS? ›
So in GFEBS, a Work Breakdown Structure is a hierarchical arrangement of WBS elements under a project definition. In GFEBS, there can only be one WBS directly below the Project Definition. This is known as the Level 1 WBS, and will have the same number (and usually name) as the Project Definition.
What is the lowest level of a WBS? ›
The lowest level of the WBS is known as the work package level. A WBS makes the relationship of work packages clear by decomposing larger work into smaller, more manageable components that outline the work needing to be accomplished for the project to be completed.
What are the maximum levels of WBS? ›
Level of WBS depends on your defining the coding mask. The maximum number of levels available is 99 Technically. Work breakdown structure should not contain more than 10,000 WBS elements.
The work breakdown structure (WBS) is a model of the project that organizes project tasks into a hierarchy. It is the functional basis for further planning steps in a project, for example, for process planning, cost planning, scheduling, capacity planning or costing, as well as project control.
How many types of WBS are there? ›
There are two types of work breakdown structures commonly employed in project management: the process-oriented WBS and deliverable-oriented WBS.
What is level 0 of the WBS? ›
At each level the WBS elements should normally be specific deliverables. Level “0” is the end product of the project. Level “l” may be components of the end product but may also be a document that portrays the results, conclusions or recommendations of a phase of the project.
What is the 80 hour rule in project management? ›
The 8/80 means that a WBS work package should not take less than 8 (eight) hours of effort and a the same time, not more than 80 (eighty).
What is the format of a WBS? ›
A work breakdown structure can be formatted in various ways, including as an outline (basically, a numbered list), a hierarchical table, or a tree diagram. Regardless of format, a WBS will typically include outline numbering to represent the sequential order of each level and activity.
What is the level 1 of the WBS? ›
A WBS is typically delivery-oriented, meaning it focuses on the final outcomes or products that need to be delivered to meet the project's objectives. It shows three levels of information: Level 1: Project title of final deliverable (parent task/project objective) Level 2: Major dependencies of the final deliverable.