Planning With Work Breakdown Structures

About this course

A work breakdown structure, or WBS, turns a big goal into smaller parts that can be estimated, assigned and tracked. This course teaches you to decompose a project into deliverables and work packages, build a clear hierarchy, estimate effort and use the breakdown as the basis for a schedule. It is one of the most practical planning skills you can build, and it works for almost any project.

What you will be able to do

• You'll be able to decompose a project goal into deliverables and work packages
• You'll be able to create a hierarchy that shows what must be delivered
• You'll be able to estimate effort for each work package
• You'll be able to use the breakdown to build a schedule

Course outline

1. Why Break Work Down

   8 min · Lesson notes, example, action task · 2-question quiz

   Large goals are hard to estimate, assign and monitor. Breaking them into smaller, clearly defined pieces makes the whole project easier to understand and control.
2. Deliverables and Work Packages

   8 min · Lesson notes, example, action task · 2-question quiz

   Deliverables are tangible results of the project, and work packages are the smallest units of work that a person or team can complete and track. Defining both clearly is the foundation of the breakdown.
3. Building a Hierarchy

   8 min · Lesson notes, example, action task · 2-question quiz

   A WBS is usually arranged in levels, from the overall project down to work packages. A consistent hierarchy makes the breakdown easy to read, review and update.
4. Estimating Effort

   8 min · Lesson notes, example, action task · 2-question quiz

   Estimates turn the breakdown into a plan. Estimating effort for each work package, using a consistent method and noting assumptions, gives a sound basis for scheduling and budgeting.
5. Turning the Breakdown Into a Schedule

   8 min · Lesson notes, example, action task · 2-question quiz

   Once the breakdown and estimates are in place, you can sequence the work, identify dependencies and build a schedule. The WBS becomes the backbone of the timeline and the budget.
6. Tools you'll need

   5 min · Lesson notes, example, action task · 2-question quiz

   A WBS can be built with simple tools. Spreadsheets and sticky notes are often enough, and project software adds scheduling features for larger projects.
7. Careers & next steps

   5 min · Lesson notes, example, action task · 2-question quiz

   Planning skills such as WBS work are valued in project, operations and coordination roles. This lesson shows where they lead and how to check what they may be worth.
8. Final quiz and certificate

   10 questions, pass mark 8 of 10. Pass to get your Reesby Academy certificate with a verification link.