Objective: Not to be confused with a schedule, the Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) is a deliverable-oriented representation of the work (scope) we must complete to finish a project. It is developed through a process of decomposition where we “break down” project deliverables into small, easily managed pieces called work packages. The WBS can be graphical or tabular. Figure 4-11 is the most excellent example of what your assignment will look like when completed. LOOK ON PAGE 141
Each item on the WBS is a noun, not a verb. For example, if you are building a house, the WBS might contain an item called “Blueprint”. The blueprint is the output of an action, which we call a deliverable. This is why we do not have “Draw a Blueprint” on the WBS. That is the action that will be scheduled later in the Gantt chart.
Steps:
1. Create a Word document
2. Using the Illustrations tool create a graphical WBS representing a kitchen renovation project. Your WBS should contain three (3) levels.
3. Level One should be called “Kitchen Renovation”
4. Level Two should contain the following six deliverables: Framing, Plumbing, Wiring, Drywall, Flooring, and Finishing.
5. Level Three should contain at least two work packages under each Level Two deliverable. It is up to you to choose these items. In all, your level three will contain at least 12 work packages.
6. Utilizing the content of your completed graphical WBS, create a corresponding tabular WBS within the same document on its own page.
