1. Created by Katy Koenen © Microsoft Corporation
WBS Training Deck
Created by Katy Koenen
© Microsoft Corporation

2. Plan & Schedule Development
Scope
Establish Project Scope
WBS
Assign Resources
Identify Dependencies
Estimate Work Effort and Costs
Schedule
Manage Trade-offs and Risks
Create Project Plan Document
Create Project Schedule

3. Create a Work Breakdown Structure
The Road to Success
Create a Work Breakdown Structure
Objectives of a WBS:
Develop objective, rational view of amount of work required
Provide a basis for identifying skills & resources needed
Provide a framework for defining work & delegating responsibility
Lay a foundation for analyzing dependencies and managing risks
Lay a foundation for developing a bottom-up project schedule

4. Benefits of a WBS No Forgotten Work
Solid Estimates of Effort and Time Requirements

5. WBS Criteria Only one owner per task
Tasks have clearly-defined deliverables
Tasks have clearly-defined success criteria
When work at one level is complete, work at the next level up can begin
Activities listed clearly describe the work to be accomplished to the person responsible
Activities are limited enough that it is easy to estimate the level of effort required for each
Level of effort/duration for each activity is <5% of the overall project effort

6. Work to Include Project Planning Tasks Approval Cycle Tasks
Key Project Meetings
Management & Customer Meetings
Training
Project Management Tasks
Test Planning
Test Development
Test Execution
Quality Control/Defect Repair Tasks
Project Reviews
Project Closing Tasks

7. Create a WBS
Identify the major areas of work to form the top-level of the WBS
Identify the next level of work in each major group
Identify the next level of work under each item in Level 2
Continue to break-down the required work until you reach the individual-task level
#1: See list presented in Slide #6
#2 -#4: Structure it like this:
Level 1
Level 2 item 1
Level 3 item 1
Level 3 item 2
Level 2 item 2

8. WBS Example PROTOTYPE AND TEST DVD (Phase) DVD Prototype (Deliverable)
Develop Video (Activity)
Shoot sections
Review video
Edit video sections
Edit video – full sequence
Develop Narrative (Activity)
Write narrative text
Review and update text
Record voice-over narrative
Review prototype DVD (Activity)
Update prototype DVD (Activity)
Tested DVD (Deliverable)
(Detailed activities go here)
SELECT VENDOR (Phase)
DVD Fulfillment Vendor commitment (Deliverable)
Research options (Activity)
Define selection criteria
Identify potential vendors
Select and sign vendor (Activity)
Send requirements to fulfillment houses
Get quotes and sample contracts
Decide fulfillment house
Sign contract
PRODUCE AND SEND (Phase)
DVD First-Article for QA (Deliverable)
(Activity detail here) (Activity)
DVD First Mailing Out (Deliverable)
(Activity detail here) (Activity)

9. How Much is Enough?
Ensure that all the work needed to meet the project’s objectives is recognized and planned for from the outset.
Need attribution for notes here
Check for Completeness
Consider project scope
Does the WBS express all work required to meet every aspect of the project scope?
If not, what additional activities are needed?
Consider project stakeholders
Does the WBS express all activities related to needs/concerns of all stakeholders?
If not, what elements are required to address those needs and concerns?
Consider Project “Influencers” – Those who can have a positive or negative impact on the project
Does the WBS express all activities related to needs/concerns of project influencers?
Look at team roles & responsibilities
Are activities for all cross-functional groups on the team included?
Have all necessary groups been included in the WBS?
What groups are missing and what needs to be added?