The Work Breakdown Structure

WBS is the bridge between project scope and the project plan. Activity definition and activity sequencing are part of the WBS.
WBS means divide project into small components and more manageable units called "packages". These packages make possible to develop project plan, schedule, budget and monitor the progress of the project.Package starts with project and then it divides into phases. Each phase has one or more deliverables. Under this deliverables there are activities to achieve this deliverable and milestone. At the end of the phase, there is a milestone called phase completion.
Milestones provides lots of advantages like

1. Keep project teams focus - It is easy to concentrate series of small short term deliverables than one single large deliverable.


2. Reduce the risk of the project- This provides opportunity to see the progress of the project. And also milestones act like proof for the concepts.


3. Provide mechanism for quality control.

Developing a WBS requires several versions until everyone is comfortable and confidant that all of the work activities have been included. The process of developing WBS starts with DDT and DSC. Each deliverable in the DSC must divide into lower level details. WBS must

1. Deliverable oriented - That should not be just sequence of events. It must produce something.


2. Support project's MOV - WBS must include only the activities which allow for the deliverables. Project team must ensure that WBS can develop all the deliverables which are mentioned in the project scope.


3. Level of detail should support planning and controlling - WBS must not be too short or must not be too details. It must have the required level of details that helps project manager and team to monitor and compare the progress of the project.


4. Developers must involve for creating the WBS - This helps to ensure that WBS has required level of information. They must have a better idea about what activities should do to produce particular deliverable.