Work Breakdown Structure
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What is a WBS (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.
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When to use it
At the very start of schedule development, before detailed activities are built.
What is a WBS (Work Breakdown Structure)?
It’s a way to break a big, complicated job down into a list of smaller, manageable tasks. Think of it as a detailed checklist for the entire project.
Why should I use one?
It stops you from missing anything when you quote and plan. By listing every single job—from site setup to clean-up—you can price more accurately, assign tasks clearly, and ensure nothing gets forgotten.