Ch 6 ideas - Work Breakdown Structure

WBS: work breakdown structure, tool for breaking down a project into its component parts.

Three criteria for a successful WBS:

• The WBS must be broken down starting at the top.
• Work packages must add up to the summary task.
• Each summary task and work package must be named as an activity that produces a product.

Common rules to ensure that the work packages are the correct size:

• The 8/80 rule.
• The reporting period rule.
• The “if it’s useful” rule:

The “if it’s useful” rule; there are three reasons to consider whether to break tasks down further:

1. The task is easier to estimate.
2. The task is easier to assign.
3. The task is easier to track.

Completion Criteria answers two critical questions about each work package:

1. What does it mean to be complete with this task?
2. How will we know it was done correctly?

Examples of Completion Criteria:

• Peer reviews
• Checklists.
• Systematic testing.

The Acceptance Process:

• Considering the acceptance process might add a few tasks to the WBS, such as turnover tasks at the end of the project. These might include training, initial start-up of the new product, or a postimplementation assessment.