How to Create a Work Breakdown Structure: A WBS Masterclass

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  • Опубликовано: 23 ноя 2024

Комментарии • 116

  • @Onlinepmcourses
    @Onlinepmcourses  3 года назад +29

    My video explaining what a Work Breakdown Structure is, has been one of my most popular. But loads of you have asked: 'How do I create a WBS, Mike?' So, it's high time I gave an answer!

    • @Onlinepmcourses
      @Onlinepmcourses  3 года назад +1

      Thank you for watching - please do subscribe to the channel and, to join my community, sign-up at onlinepmcourses.com/assets440251/the-onlinepmcourses-newsletter/

    • @carolineemery1354
      @carolineemery1354 2 года назад +1

      What template do you use for this Mike?

    • @Onlinepmcourses
      @Onlinepmcourses  2 года назад +1

      @@carolineemery1354 I don't use templates although you can create a template WBS dictionary in a spreadsheet, from the one on screen. Historically, I have just used Word (or another word processor) to create a WBS, using the structured list formatting.

    • @Jimothy-723
      @Jimothy-723 2 года назад +3

      @@Onlinepmcourses
      this guy explained in 30 seconds what a professor could not explain in several hours.

    • @Onlinepmcourses
      @Onlinepmcourses  2 года назад +1

      @@Jimothy-723 Thank you!

  • @wheelspins
    @wheelspins 8 месяцев назад +8

    Recently I started learning Project Management and accidentally bumped on to your channel while searching for a detailed explanation of WBS! This short clip cleared the doubts I had and certainly I’ll be watching more content!

    • @Onlinepmcourses
      @Onlinepmcourses  8 месяцев назад +1

      That's great. You have over 600 videos to catch up on, so I hope they will be able to clear up a load more of your doubts and questions. Welcome aboard!

  • @robertrackers3276
    @robertrackers3276 2 года назад +10

    I, personally, have Project Management as the first item on the Key Line level. That is where the entire Project Management process begins, and it prevents it from possibly omitted. It also reminds Stakeholders that you aren’t working on the process just because you love that which you do.
    Thanks again for your great delivery of great content. As always, Best Regards!

    • @Onlinepmcourses
      @Onlinepmcourses  2 года назад +7

      Robert - that's a sound approach. I also like to put Project Management on the Key Line, but maybe not first! I prefer last, because it serves the others, rather than first suggesting it leads them. But that is a preference thing with so little impact.

  • @Amazing4u
    @Amazing4u 3 года назад +16

    Great idea to put the WBS Dictionary. I often add the key risks to WBS too at later stage when doing risk planning and associate them to the risk register number.

    • @Onlinepmcourses
      @Onlinepmcourses  3 года назад +2

      Excellent point, Ali. The best way to carry out a rigorous risk identification is to work from the WBS dictionary. It helps us to be thorough and, as you say, gives us a numbering system too.

  • @emwhite6796
    @emwhite6796 3 месяца назад +1

    Mike your videos are the most comprehensive easy to understand videos on YT that I have come across that really helps me with my study and professional development. Thank you for sharing your valuable knowledge in a way that really works . I did not realise what a fundamental tool the WBS is, that forms the basis of so many other project management artifacts.

    • @Onlinepmcourses
      @Onlinepmcourses  3 месяца назад +1

      You're very welcome - it's great to hear how this video has helped you.

  • @janetjandrositz1191
    @janetjandrositz1191 2 года назад +1

    I am a proposal manager on a large government response team. One of our team members is responsible for the WBS. We have a meeting to discuss this topic later today. Thank you for breaking down the WBS so succinctly and clearly. Prior to listening to your video, I would not have had much to contribute. Now I believe I will be able to do just that. Thank you again.

    • @Onlinepmcourses
      @Onlinepmcourses  2 года назад +1

      Janet - thank you for letting me know - this is one of the reasons I make videos!

  • @yimernone4387
    @yimernone4387 11 месяцев назад +3

    thank you for ur generous and so educative talk

  • @gulshanbanas1887
    @gulshanbanas1887 2 года назад +7

    Thanks Mike, your entire PM series is fantastic. Really appreciate your knowledge sharing and clarity of your delivery 👍

  • @yohanesliong4818
    @yohanesliong4818 8 месяцев назад +2

    Very informative and helpful. Thank you!

  • @mariacitygirl3825
    @mariacitygirl3825 2 года назад +5

    I am so happy I found your channel 🙂 You are so good at teaching this. Four minutes in, I paused the video, checked out your channel, and subscribed.

    • @Onlinepmcourses
      @Onlinepmcourses  2 года назад +1

      Thank you, Maria. I’m glad you found me.

  • @okpachiabbah9468
    @okpachiabbah9468 Месяц назад +1

    Very very good material

  • @johnboy5736
    @johnboy5736 Год назад +2

    Hi Mike. Very well described regarding the levels. Thankyou for your time and efforts. John

  • @janishani1
    @janishani1 7 месяцев назад +1

    A massive thank you, Sir.
    I'd also like to sincerely congratulate you for you are your own hero 🙃 I can somehow (not knowing how) feel it.
    Bravo on you, Sir, very well done! 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽🤩👌🏽✨

  • @gpindepinde
    @gpindepinde 6 месяцев назад +1

    Clear organized👌 presentation with clear and sound examples. Thank you Sir👏

  • @beebless2358
    @beebless2358 3 года назад +1

    Greetings,
    I have been wanting to ask you to make a refresher video for this... I have my notes, but it's always great to hear someone with good delivery to explain. Thanks.

  • @everythingisfake7555
    @everythingisfake7555 8 месяцев назад +1

    On the MECE principle, regarding collectively exhaustive does that mean I as the PM need to know exactly how everything is going to be completed? Say if I am a construction PM, do I need to know everything the plumber needs to do in order to complete his work package? For example, i know the house needs toilets, baths and sink installed and running, but I don’t know how the plumber will do it technically, I just have the deliverable I want to see. Is there such a thing as delegating it to the plumber so they complete the the work to industry standard that we can confirm during inspection and handover? I dont think its common for a plumber to add to a project managers wbs themselves, maybe the pm has a phonecall with them and maps it out?

    • @Onlinepmcourses
      @Onlinepmcourses  8 месяцев назад +1

      Let me use your example:
      'Say if I am a construction PM, do I need to know everything the plumber needs to do in order to complete his work package?'
      My answer is 'no'. The common question is 'how far down the WBS should we go?'
      And the answer depends on which type of WBS...
      1. For a US-style WBS that breaks down products... YES, you need to list every product, down to the level where you will need to assess its quality and performance against specification. Because that's your sign-off checklist. But, even there, in your plumber scenario, do you check each joint in the pipework, or do you check that the sink taps work and there are no leaks?
      2. For a UK-style WBS what breaks down activities... NO, you need to go down as far as you need to to be confident that the person doing the work (the plumber in your example) sees the task as one coherent activity that they fully understand. So, yes, you can specify 'fit the sink into the kitchen worktop', rather than itemizing the sink-top, taps, plumbing, seals... etc. However, you may look at your resources and see that it will be fitted by an apprentice. Then you may decide to take your WBS to another level of detail, to ensure that the apprentice misses nothing.
      So, in summary, I agree with your assessment. We need to be pragmatic, to delegate, and deal with seasoned professionals in a way that respects their expertise (while also respecting the client's need for certainty of outcome).

    • @everythingisfake7555
      @everythingisfake7555 8 месяцев назад +1

      @@Onlinepmcourses Interesting - the American WBS to me seems a bit redundant, especially since you can create an accompanying product breakdown structure (afaik from my research) that is supposed to breakdown the product itself. I look at a PM as a tactician and organiser, and to be that you must be able to delegate properly, it is impossible to have a specialist operational knowledge of every part of the project (God I hope so or I’ll never make it haha). It’s like the Commanding Officer of an army tells a Sniper what to do, but he does not himself have the specialist training of that sniper, there will be much about the craft that he does not know intricately. I personally feel like it is too much friction to over granulise things at such an early phase in the project too, start with the necessary detail and also the necessary amount of vagueness for you to actually get going, know what I mean? thank you again for taking the time to respond in such detail. I am very appreciative of that really, I feel so lucky to be able to talk to somebody as experienced as yourself like this.

    • @Onlinepmcourses
      @Onlinepmcourses  8 месяцев назад +1

      @@everythingisfake7555 You are very welcome. I agree that the UK WBS approach makes a little more sense (but then, that is how I was first taught). However, on many projects, we need a PBS, so starting with the US approach may be more pragmatic. And, that's how I look at Project Managers: pragmatists. Maybe your tactician/commanding officer metaphor works well here. I certainly agree that we don't need detailed operational or subject knowledge to lead a project.

  • @sandhugurman0
    @sandhugurman0 2 года назад +2

    Hi,
    This is an amazing video explaining the work breakdown structure which is an important part of project management and ensuring that the work is going as per the plan and without any risk involved. The approach explained in the video is great and can even be learned by beginners.
    Great video, thanks!

  • @bengarick
    @bengarick 3 года назад +2

    I'd be interested in your view on Product vs Deliverables. Currently working as a PMO Manager in IT, I often see Charters/PIDs with deliverables being 'Validation plan', 'Testing Plan'. I have tried to distinguish the difference with the PMs (rightly or wrongly) that the deliverables are the, as you say, Tangible thing or things that are or makeup what is handed over to the business. I use the term Products as the things the project (PM) Produces to provide assurance over the process or deliverables within the project.

    • @Onlinepmcourses
      @Onlinepmcourses  3 года назад +2

      I don't think there is anything wrong with your definitions - as long as you and your colleagues use them consistently within your organization.
      However, I see products and deliverables as interchangeable terms.
      But I distinguish between end-products, or end-deliverables on the one hand, and interim products or interim deliverables on the other.
      The siple fact is that there are no absolute standards of terminology across the whole of Project Management, globally.

  • @PTHouy
    @PTHouy 2 года назад +1

    Very clear explained. Thanks you.

  • @patelkhushi3079
    @patelkhushi3079 2 года назад +1

    Great one..it was quite helpful.Thank you!

  • @kaypowell7755
    @kaypowell7755 4 месяца назад +1

    While there are templates, I'm looking for a recommendation for teaching the software to measure crashing, delays, and other changes to the WBS. Which software platform do you recommend? Up until last year, we used Microsoft Project. Is that what you recommend?

    • @Onlinepmcourses
      @Onlinepmcourses  4 месяца назад +2

      I do not recommend software - there are too many, evolving too fast - and evaluation is a deep skill I do not have. So, while I'd love to help you, I fear I cannot.

  • @prakashwillrocku
    @prakashwillrocku Год назад +1

    ❤❤❤ You are awesome

  • @_firstmoves
    @_firstmoves 2 года назад +1

    This is amazing, thank you!!!

  • @warrenduplessis1757
    @warrenduplessis1757 Год назад +3

    Thanks!

  • @everythingisfake7555
    @everythingisfake7555 9 месяцев назад +1

    thank you, sir

  • @flashtheoriginal
    @flashtheoriginal 2 года назад +2

    Superb stuff. Really informative. Thank you Mike. I have subscribed

  • @StevenSsamba
    @StevenSsamba Год назад +1

    Some advice to all who watch and have not taken the course. Take Mike's course too.

  • @wojciechkalinowski3827
    @wojciechkalinowski3827 2 года назад +1

    What if MECE is not possible? Because the end tasks needs to overlap? Do we make a big pipe for the WBS or do we use another technique?

    • @Onlinepmcourses
      @Onlinepmcourses  2 года назад +2

      I assume you mean 'what if you can't define tasks that are mutually exclusive?' - that your tasks overlap? That sureely means that to stop double work, you'll have to merge them into one task, or require the people working on each to work together. But is it really not possible to unscramble the task into two parts? I don't say it isn't, but I am struggling to find an example.
      I do not know what you mean by 'big pipe'.

  • @nickjerrat
    @nickjerrat 2 года назад +1

    Great video. I thought you preferred activities rather than products / deliverables in the WBS? Or do you use activities/tasks under the deliverables / sub-deliverables?

    • @Onlinepmcourses
      @Onlinepmcourses  2 года назад +2

      I do prefer to use activities in my WBS (and then add products under them). However, I also acknowledge that my audience skews to the US, where a product-based WBS is dominant.

    • @nickjerrat
      @nickjerrat 2 года назад +2

      @@Onlinepmcourses wow thanks for the rapid response. Sounds good, I might do that as well.

  • @TwiceEssential
    @TwiceEssential 5 месяцев назад +1

    Amazing.

  • @andrewsuttar
    @andrewsuttar 2 года назад +1

    Hey Mike! Love your channel...
    QUESTION: How would you go from a WBS and PDM diagram into Favro (specifically)?
    I love Favro and am wondering how you would approach laying out project-scaffolding for your team in Favro? Would you use different boards for each each tier in your WBS? My goal is to build a template "Collection" in Favro and then adapt (and relabel) it on a project by project basis.

    • @Onlinepmcourses
      @Onlinepmcourses  2 года назад +1

      Andrew, this is a tricky one. I am no expert in Favro, but I don't think it is the right tool if you want to create assets like a Work Breakdown Structure or a Precedence Diagram (PDM - Precedence Diagram Method).
      Both of these approaches come from a very-much predictive PM world. Favro is much more an Agile and collaboration tool. Sometimes, trying to bend the tool to a need it wasn't designed for will produce a poor and clunky solution at best.
      Favro does allow us to create data tables, so a WBS dictionary is eminently possible - but auto-numbering of items may not be possible - I'd have to try. To my knowledge, it won't draw Precedence Diagrams, but you can use the data table to store predecessor and successor data against each activity. That may allow export as a spreadsheet in a format that a tool like MS Project could import.
      But, you wouldn't use a hammer for driving a screw - even though (as previous owners of my house have demonstrated - you kind-of could!!

    • @kefasblackson5621
      @kefasblackson5621 2 года назад +1

      @@Onlinepmcourses
      how do i Develop a work breakdown structure (WBS) of the activities and the duration of each activity if I want to evaluate the effectiveness of the livelihood Project

    • @Onlinepmcourses
      @Onlinepmcourses  2 года назад +1

      @@kefasblackson5621 I don't understand your question, Kefas. What do you mean by the livelihood Project?

  • @faseehaneil3809
    @faseehaneil3809 Год назад +2

    Hi Mike! Could you please tell me how can we make a gantt chart that includes multiple projects in it. I am a total beginner at this and i have been given a task to make a gantt chart to keep a track of all the projects that media org i am working in has planned for the next six months. Please please let me know if thats possible and how as all i can find till now is 1 projects divided into multiple tasks.
    Thankyouu soo much!

    • @Onlinepmcourses
      @Onlinepmcourses  Год назад +2

      Start with this video: 'How to Create a Gantt Chart in 9 Easy Steps' ruclips.net/video/FX70rWEE8eY/видео.html
      There is no reason why you cannot place multiple projects on one chart.
      However, when you need to show multiple projects, sometimes all the client/boss really needs is a summary level that shows how they relate to one another. This is a Project Roadmap. I have a video scheduled, and I have just re-jigged my schedule a little, so that it will come out this week (13 July 2023). Look out for 'What is a Project Roadmap? How to Make One and How is it Different from a Gantt Chart?' on Thursday, at ruclips.net/video/YONopoznJa0/видео.html

    • @gregwest5588
      @gregwest5588 Год назад +2

      I was about to ask the same thing

    • @Onlinepmcourses
      @Onlinepmcourses  Год назад +2

      @@gregwest5588 My project roadmap video is now live: ruclips.net/video/YONopoznJa0/видео.html
      It's one of my fastest-growing in terms of views!

  • @traceywilson5749
    @traceywilson5749 2 года назад +1

    Great video. Do you have a WBS Dictionary template you can share?

    • @Onlinepmcourses
      @Onlinepmcourses  2 года назад +1

      Thank you. Unfortunately, no. But I will add it to my backlog for my Project Management Templates Kit: onlinepmcourses.com/project-management-tools/project-management-template-kit/

  • @jawadhassan82
    @jawadhassan82 2 года назад +1

    Great video, very helpful. I have a question please. The WBS you have explained in the video, is it deliverable based WBS or phase based deliverable?

    • @Onlinepmcourses
      @Onlinepmcourses  2 года назад +2

      In this video, I describe a deliverable-based WBS and ten add tasks/activities at the end.

  • @Doggysoft
    @Doggysoft 2 года назад +1

    Thanks, Mike

  • @jacoduvenhage4097
    @jacoduvenhage4097 2 года назад +1

    Good day Mike
    May I ask if these videos are also available in French and Spanish?

    • @Onlinepmcourses
      @Onlinepmcourses  2 года назад +1

      I am afraid not, Jaco.

    • @jacoduvenhage4097
      @jacoduvenhage4097 2 года назад +1

      @@Onlinepmcourses Thank you very much for the reply Mike. Great videos and training.

    • @Onlinepmcourses
      @Onlinepmcourses  2 года назад +1

      @@jacoduvenhage4097 My pleasure

  • @kidistamosa9084
    @kidistamosa9084 Год назад +1

    Thank you!!!

  • @irisvirusofficial
    @irisvirusofficial Год назад +1

    Thank you

  • @merciadios5113
    @merciadios5113 2 года назад +1

    THANK YOU!

  • @everythingisfake7555
    @everythingisfake7555 9 месяцев назад +1

    do you have a video/course that is just about the fundamental principles that project management is built upon? like the truth without the faff and fancy words/unnecessarily complicated phrases/words.

    • @Onlinepmcourses
      @Onlinepmcourses  9 месяцев назад +1

      Yes, I have three tiers of core video courses depending on how deep you need to go (and also a low-cost email course). You can compare them here: onlinepmcourses.com/core-project-management-courses-2023/

    • @everythingisfake7555
      @everythingisfake7555 9 месяцев назад +1

      @@Onlinepmcourses do you think every project needs a gantt chart of all of the documentation? say if im just painting a living room and kitchen, that is basically a project, but i feel like getting into all of this would just make it sluggish when i could just turn up and paint the house? is this kind of knowledge better applied to big year long type projects like in construction?

    • @Onlinepmcourses
      @Onlinepmcourses  9 месяцев назад +2

      @@everythingisfake7555 No. Every project does NOT need a Gantt chart. It is the role of the PM to understand how much planning is necessary and useful. And then to determine which tool is most appropriate to use, to create and communicate the plan, and to monitor performance against it. When I repaint, I make a list of things I need to do, and then sort them into the most logical; sequence. I then use that to make a list of materials and tools I need. Then, I assemble what I need (from stock and shopping).
      As I make progress I tick off the tasks on the list. That's plenty of planning and documents for me.
      If you are new to painting the house, I'd also recommend a risk log - sit down with members of the household and brainstorm everything that could go wrong (clue: paint spills is high likelihood) and then figure out how to prevent or minimize the risk of them.

    • @everythingisfake7555
      @everythingisfake7555 9 месяцев назад +1

      @@Onlinepmcourses thank you again for breaking that down into its smaller components, much easier to digest. if you did a ‘day in the life’ type video where we got to be over your shoulder for the initiation phase of a project, i think that would be a major hit, because your approach is very measured and simple. also, maybe something like, the bare minimum artefact documents every project needs, in which scenario you would use one and not use one kind of thing. also i had a question, do you separate a task from the best technique used to achieve it? say if the task is paint the ceiling, do you break it down to tiny atoms like, which type of brush to use, how to properly paint the ceiling, how to cover the floor etc… or do you just have the task (paint the ceiling)? is a separate best method/practice document created by pms?

    • @Onlinepmcourses
      @Onlinepmcourses  9 месяцев назад +1

      @@everythingisfake7555 Thank you - that's an interesting idea - I will consider it.

  • @Jimothy-723
    @Jimothy-723 2 года назад +1

    the jargon in project management is so dense it makes the turbo encabulator seem like plain english.

    • @Onlinepmcourses
      @Onlinepmcourses  2 года назад +3

      You are right! There is a lot of jargon. That's why:
      1. I have around 150 videos on this channel with titles that start 'What is...'
      My PM Dictionary playlist is here: ruclips.net/p/PLsz8d8r2a994mqQQVM2ELvjmx_CUJATMq
      2. I wrote this $1.99 eBook: Decode the Jargon of Project Management - geni.us/cUWUCh

  • @Djmack1992
    @Djmack1992 6 месяцев назад +1

    Not watching this video is why Star Citizen will never leave Alpha.

    • @Onlinepmcourses
      @Onlinepmcourses  6 месяцев назад

      I'm sorry, but I don't get the reference. But I will assume it's a compliment - Thank You.

  • @DavidWhelbourn
    @DavidWhelbourn 2 года назад +1

    In my experience the UK focuses on deliverables in PRINCE2 - work is added after.

  • @kanhashukla6265
    @kanhashukla6265 2 года назад +2

    4.5 stars for the explanation. The tile says "how to". You should have totally included an example following your methodologies. Didn't learn anymore than my professor already explained.

    • @Onlinepmcourses
      @Onlinepmcourses  2 года назад +4

      Thank you for your 4.5 stars.
      I 'should' have included an example? Maybe, but perhaps better, 'you'd have liked' an example. Maybe I'll do one in another video, but I prefer to keep videos to around 10 minutes and this already needed over 13.

  • @kayshlyemarion8663
    @kayshlyemarion8663 11 месяцев назад +1

    😮

  • @clarieclaire00
    @clarieclaire00 9 месяцев назад +2

    Thanks!

    • @Onlinepmcourses
      @Onlinepmcourses  9 месяцев назад +1

      Wow! Thank you very much for your Superthanks. You are very welcome!