Construction Cost Engineering: Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) PDF

# Construction Cost Engineering: Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) ## NCE_4402 **At the end of the lesson, the learner will be able to:** - Define Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) - Identify the levels of Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) - Identify the types of Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) ## Work Br...

# Construction Cost Engineering: Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) ## NCE_4402 **At the end of the lesson, the learner will be able to:** - Define Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) - Identify the levels of Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) - Identify the types of Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) ## Work Breakdown Structure In planning a project, the project manager must structure the work into smaller elements that are: - Manageable - Independent - Integratable - Measurable ## Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) Is a product-oriented family tree subdivision of the materials, activities, and data required to produce the end product. ## Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) Preparation of the WBS also considers other areas that require structured data, such as scheduling, configuration management, contract funding, and technical performance parameters. ## Level of WBS | Managerial Levels | Level | Description | |---|---|---| | | 01 | Total Project, Used for the authorization and release of all work | | | 02 | Project, Budgets are prepared | | | 03 | Task, Schedules are prepared | | Technical Levels | 04 | Subtask | | | 05 | Work Package | | | 06 | Level of Effort | ## Types of WBS - Deliverable-Based Work Breakdown Structure - Phase-Based Work Breakdown Structure ## Deliverable-Based Work Breakdown Structure Clearly demonstrates the relationship between the project deliverables and the scope. - Interim Deliverables - Ultimate Deliverables ## Deliverable-Based Work Breakdown Structure Sample The image shows a tree structure with the following: - **Construction of a House** - **Foundation** - Excavation - Steel Works - Masonry Works - **External** - Masonry Works - Building Finishes - Electrical - **Internal** - Plumbing ## Phase-Based Work Breakdown Structure Is also referred to as Verb-oriented, Activity or Task-oriented, or Process-oriented WBS. The project deliverables are defined in terms of actions to be taken to attain the final product. ## Phase-Based Work Breakdown Structure Sample The image shows a tree structure with the following: - **Construction of a House** - **Design** - Land Acquisition - Permits - Detailed Design - Bidding - **Procurement** - Electrical - Plumbing - HVAC - Roofing Works - **Construction** - Structural - Masonry Work - Interior Finishing - Building Finishes - Exterior Finishing - **Quality Assurance Inspection** - Punchlisting - Closing - **Turnover** ## COMMON FRAMEWORK OF A WBS 1. The total program can be described as a summation of subdivided elements. 2. Planning can be performed. 3. Costs and budgets can be established. 4. Time, cost, and performance can be tracked. 5. Objectives can be linked to company resources in a logical manner. 6. Schedules and status-reporting procedures can be established. 7. Network construction and control planning can be initiated. 8. The responsibility assignments for each element can be established. ## How to Make a Work Breakdown Structure 1. Gather Documents 2. Identify Key Personnel 3. Define Level 1 Elements 4. Decompose (Breakdown Elements 5. Create WBS Dictionary 6. Create GANTT Chart Schedule ## WBS Dictionary | No. | Item Code | Description | |---|---|---| | 1 | WBS Code | Enter the WBS Title and identify it as a Work Package, Planning and/or Control Account. | | 2 | Responsible Organization/ Individual | Name the single organization, group or individual that has been assigned sole responsibility for making sure the Work Package is completed. Include contact information. | | 3 | Description | Define Work Package boundaries. Frame the scope content so that it is clear what scope is included and excluded. If it is a Planning Package, describe the known and unknown scope. | | 4 | Deliverables | Identify the product, service or results created when all of the work in this Work Package is complete. Include any critical intermediate deliverables. | | 5 | Acceptance Criteria | Describe the functional and physical requirements in order to meet customer expectations and quality requirements. Include any unique approvals required for acceptance. | | 6 | Budget | Designate the budget for this Work Package, plus any critical resource information and assumptions. | | 7 | Milestones | List any Start Dates, End Dates, Intermediate Milestones, Interdependencies, Constraints and any assumption for the deliverables. | | 8 | Risks | Include any known threats and opportunities with response strategies. | | 9 | Additional Information | Describe any additional information, such as references, related work packages, etc. | | 10 | Approvals: | Date and Revision Date | ## The work breakdown framework can be used to provide the basis for: 1. Responsibility matrix 2. Network scheduling 3. Costing 4. Risk analysis 5. Organizational structure 6. Coordination of objectives 7. Control (including contract administration) ## Helpful Tips in Creating WBS - **Too much detail can be intimidating and can render the schedule useless as a management tool. Participants will ignore it** - **With too little detail, tasks are omitted. Vague schedules cannot be used a a management tool** - **More detail is required at extremely critical stages or sequences** - **Tasks that lead to a milestone should be detailed so nothing is omitted that might prevent the milestone from occurring** - **Tasks that are performed by owners, inspectors, and design team members should also be listed**