Systems Engineering Week 11: Work Breakdown Structure

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Questions and Answers

What is the primary purpose of the Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) in systems engineering?

To structure integrated teams for program management purposes

To organize system development activities based on system and product decompositions (correct)

To identify high-cost and high-risk elements for management and reporting

To define the physical and systems architectures

What is the relationship between the WBS and the systems engineering process?

The WBS is not related to the systems engineering process

The WBS is an input to the systems engineering process

The WBS is an output of the systems engineering process (correct)

The WBS is a standalone tool for program management

What is the purpose of extending the WBS as the program proceeds through development?

To increase the budget for the program

To simplify the WBS structure

To reduce the scope of the program

To identify all high-cost and high-risk elements for management and reporting (correct)

What is one of the organizational purposes of the WBS?

To provide a coordinated, complete, and comprehensive view of program management Signup and view all the answers

What is the business purpose of the WBS?

To provide a structure for budgets and cost estimates Signup and view all the answers

How many levels of the WBS are developed initially?

Three levels Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of the WBS in systems analysis and control?

To provide a means of structuring development activities, identifying data and documents, and organizing integrated teams Signup and view all the answers

What is the flexibility provided to the contractor in extending the WBS?

To extend the WBS below the reporting requirement to reflect how work will be accomplished Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of the Work Breakdown Structure (WBS)?

To organize and analyze detailed costs for earned value reports Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the technical purposes of the WBS?

To identify products, processes, and data Signup and view all the answers

What is used to prepare the WBS?

Physical and system architectures Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of Level 1 in the WBS?

To establish the overall system Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of the WBS in developing Statements of Work (SOW)?

To group product items for SOW development Signup and view all the answers

Why should the physical and system architectures be reviewed during WBS development?

To ensure all necessary products and services are identified Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of the WBS in organizing risk management analysis and tracking?

To enable configuration and data management Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of the WBS in developing work packages for work orders and material/part ordering?

To develop work packages for work orders and material/part ordering Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Work Breakdown Structure (WBS)

The Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) is a means of organizing system development activities based on system and product decompositions.
WBS is a direct derivative of the physical and systems architectures and is an output of the systems engineering process.

Characteristics of WBS

Organizes system and product descriptions, and associated services (e.g., program management, systems engineering) in a hierarchical tree-like structure.
Essential for all aspects of the systems engineering process.
Used to structure development activities, identify data and documents, organize integrated teams, and for other non-technical program management purposes.

Development of WBS

Initially developed to define the top three levels.
Extended to identify high-cost and high-risk elements for management and reporting as the program proceeds through development.

Purposes of WBS

Organizational

Provides a coordinated, complete, and comprehensive view of program management.
Establishes a structure for organizing system development activities.

Business

Provides a structure for budgets and cost estimates.
Used to organize collection and analysis of detailed costs for earned value reports.

Technical

Establishes a structure for identifying products, processes, and data.
Organizes risk management analysis and tracking.
Enables configuration and data management, interface identification and control.
Used to group product items for specification development, develop Statements of Work (SOW), and identify specific contract deliverables.

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Description

Learn about the Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) in systems engineering, a method for organizing system development activities based on system and product decompositions.