Work Breakdown Structure
A structured way of breaking a large, complex project down into a hierarchy of smaller, manageable components — by area, discipline, phase, facility, or a combination — that everything else in the schedule (activities, resources, costs, reporting) is organised against.
Why it matters
A poorly structured WBS causes problems that ripple through the entire project: activities that are hard to find, reporting that doesn’t align with how the client wants to see progress, and cost/schedule integration that never quite lines up. A good WBS is set up once, early, and done properly — retrofitting one onto a live schedule is far more painful than getting it right from the start.
What's included in our deliverable
- WBS structure development aligned to your delivery methodology and the client's reporting requirements
- Alignment with cost breakdown structure (CBS) where cost and schedule integration is required
- Documentation of the WBS logic and coding structure for handover and future reference
When to use it
At the very start of schedule development, before detailed activities are built.