What are the key components of a work breakdown structure?

A work breakdown structure (WBS) is a hierarchical decomposition of a project into smaller, manageable components. Its main purpose is to provide a visual representation of the project scope, deliverables, and tasks. The key components of a WBS include the project deliverables, which are the tangible or intangible outputs of the project. These deliverables are further broken down into sub-deliverables, representing smaller chunks of work that contribute to the overall project objectives. Each sub-deliverable is then decomposed into individual work packages, which are the smallest units of work that can be scheduled, estimated, and assigned to a team member. Additionally, the WBS includes milestones, which are key points in the project timeline where deliverables or important stages are achieved. The hierarchy of the WBS is usually presented in a tree-like structure, with the main project deliverable at the top, followed by the sub-deliverables and work packages beneath it.

This mind map was published on 5 October 2023 and has been viewed 116 times.