Project Manager how-to

How to Build a Work Breakdown Structure

A WBS turns a big goal into manageable pieces of work.

Updated By the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team
Quick answer

A WBS turns a big goal into manageable pieces of work. In short: start; break; break, then complete the remaining steps below.

Step by step

  1. Start with the project’s final deliverable at the top.

  2. Break it into major deliverables or phases.

  3. Break each into smaller deliverables until each piece can be estimated and assigned (work packages).

  4. Make sure the lower levels add up to 100% of the parent scope.

  5. Name items as deliverables (nouns), not activities.

  6. Review the WBS with the team and stakeholders.

  7. Use it as the basis for the schedule, budget and assignments.

Safety reminders for project managers

  • On construction and industrial projects, build safety into plans and schedules
  • Protect confidential project and customer data
  • Document decisions and approvals
  • Escalate risks early to sponsors

Scope · Scope creep · WBS · Gantt chart · Critical path · Milestone: see the full project manager glossary.

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