From the course: Project Management Foundations

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Build a work breakdown structure

Build a work breakdown structure

From the course: Project Management Foundations

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Build a work breakdown structure

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- The best way to build a work breakdown structure, or WBS, is to start at the top level of summary tasks and work your way down. Work with your team to identify the WBS. You're less likely to forget work that needs to be done and the team is more likely to buy into the project. As a team, you identify the top few levels of summary tasks. Then you can have smaller groups break down the summary tasks into smaller chunks. At the end, everyone gets back together to review the results and correct any issues. If the full team isn't on board yet, work with your initial team to brainstorm the WBS. Then you can revise and add more detail to the WBS later as others join the project. Start by using the scope statement and deliverables to identify the top-level summary tasks. For example, the scope for the scheduling project includes redesign scheduling processes, a new scheduling system, documentation, and training. So you add summary tasks to cover all of those. Next, break down each of the…

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