WBS

scope creep

the extension of the project scope caused by unapproved and uncontrolled changes that impacts the cost, quality or timing of the project

WBS element

the deliverables in a WB it is each box in a chart and each row in a table. it is short, just a few words. it contains nouns only. the remaning details about the elements are stored in a separate document called a WBS dictionary.

work package

the lowest element in each branch or leg; an element without a child element is a work package. it’s also called a “terminal element” the work package is the only level where cost, resources, and timing are estimated. all other levels are a rollup of the work packages. like all other elements, the work package completes a deliverable. even though it is the lowest level of the WBS, it is still an outcome based element of work and not a task. the project team will use the work package to create all the project activities throughout the project

level

the layer of the WBS where an element resides. the levels are numbered sequentially, usually starting at level 1, which has only one element, the project. level 2 has the large deliverables needed to complete the project

numbering scheme

each element is assigned a number according to its place in the hierarchy; it is also called the code of accounts. the WBS uses a sequential numbering scheme: each level is separated by a decimal point and restarts at 1

• For example, let's assume our project element ID is 1. The project will have several deliverables assigned to it, which reside at level 2. To add another level to the ID, add a decimal point and start again at 1. So the level 2 elements in our example are 1.1, 1.2, and 1.3. You can tell they are level 2 elements because they have two numbers and one decimal point.

• The process repeats for each level, all the way to the last work package. So, 1.3.1 is a level 3 element because it has three numbers and two decimal places, and it is a child of 1.3.

leg

group of elements with a shared ancestor. the lowest elements in a leg will roll up to equal everything in the highest level of the leg

branch

one or more elements that do not represent the whole top level element in the branch

mutually exclusive, collectively exhaustive (MECE)

an organization and problem solving method. each elements exists without overlapping anything else, which makes it mutually exclusive. it is collectively exhaustive because all the elements combined represent the entire topic

100% rule

means the WBS includes 100% of the project work. nothing more, nothing less

WBS creation process

1. determine scope: review project scope on the project charter, scope statement, statement of work (SOW), and terms of reference

2. identify deliverables

3. identify team members

4. build level 2: define level 2 elements

5. build remaining levels

6. build the WBS dictionary: includes details that don’t fit on a WBS diagram. the dictionary contains more specific info:

• Work package ID

• Work package name

• Work package description

• Assigned to

• Date of assignment

• Due date

• Estimated cost