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WORK BREAKDOWN ANALYSIS (WBS)
Work Breakdown Structures and Statements
Work Breakdown Structures and Statements is an established tool for structuring a project so that all the individual component and elements are identified in a hierarchical format. It addresses the technical SCOPE OF THE WORK, to which resources are allocated. Note: In this course we are concentrating on one project at a time not multiple projects. With multiple projects, the planning and resource allocation task can be even more complicated. Complications will arise when we deal with trade-offs.
WBS are used because they:
Provide a framework for the organization and management of the project to understand fully the scope of work involved for the project Provide a framework for planning and controlling Breakdown the project into manageable activities/tasks/components Provide a clear view of the project that cover all the works in an easy to understand way. Useful as a quantitative for pricing, allocating responsibilities and costs, durations and quality and safety related requirements. In civil engineering, works are breakdown into various key operations/activities. Work breakdown analysis assists PM in dividing the overall project into manageable tasks/operations/activities.
How to do Work Breakdown Analysis
It is an analysis of 1) Segmentalising/grouping the major works (Level/layer 1) 2) Then detailing the sub works under the major works (Level/layer 2) 3) More work details can be put forward under the sub works. (Level/layer 3 or 4)
WBS defines; i. Work to be performed ii. Identifies the needs of expertise iii. Assists in selection of project team iv. Establish a base for project scheduling and control
In developing a WBS, few characteristics should be considering
are: i. Definable: can be described and easily understood by project participants. ii. Manageable: a meaningful unit of work where specific responsibility and authority can be assigned to a responsible individual. iii. Estimateable: duration can be estimated in time required to complete, and cost can be estimated in resources required to complete. iv. Independent: minimum interface with or dependence on other ongoing elements (i.e., assignable to a single control account, and clearly distinguishable from other work packages). v. Integratable: integrates with other project work elements and with higher level cost estimates and schedules to include the entire project. vi. Measurable: can be used to measure progress; has start and completion dates and measurable interim milestones.
How do we conduct a WB Analysis?
1) Identify the major components of project (Level 1), which can be clearly obtained from the scope and the drawings and specifications. Say, 1. Preliminaries 2. Building 1 3. Building 2 4. Drainage Work 5. Road Work 6. Water Work 7. Sewer Work 8. Landscaping, etc
2) With Layering System, breakdown the work into sub-tasks
2. Building Work 2.1Foundation Work 2.1.1 Piling 2.1.2Hacking of piles 2.1.3 Pile caps
The WBS often appears as an outline with the Level 1 tasks on the left side and successive levels appropriately indented. It is a picture of a project subdivided into units of tasks, subtasks. Each activity has to be properly defined and can be further breakdown into sub-activity Normally three layers of breakdown are able to well define the project. Work breakdown Structure is the end product of the WBA process. In the end, the works required towards the product/facility are clearly shown.
WBS Format Project Name:
Phases/Stages
Layer 1 Layer 2 Layer 3 Layer 4
Foundation work Piling Delivery of piles 1 Foundation work Preparation 1.1 Piling Driving piles 1.1.1 Delivery of piles Joining 1.1.2 Preparation Testing 1.1.3 Driving piles Pile caps Hacking 1.1.4 Joining Conreting 1.1.5 Testing bar bending formork Building Ground beam clearing Concreting bar bending formork slab
Column
More Examples of WBS format:
Layer format
Column/Level format Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Level 4 Construction of Temporary Retaining Bus Transit Works System Station Soil Improvement Excavation Permanent Piling Works Sub Structure Pile Cap and and SuperStump Structure Ground Beam and Works Slab Column Roof Beam and Flat Roof Architectural Brick laying Works Plastering Painting Tiling M&E Works Plumbing Lighting Ventilation Fire protection External Works Drains Access road Testing and RI Inspection Commissioning Certificate of Statutory Completion (CSC)
Hierarchy Format Work Breakdown is the backbone for any planning and controlling of time and cost. Not only that schedule of operations are based on these analysis, estimates and costing revolves around Work Breakdown and resources (machinery, material and labour) can be allocated efficiently and accordingly. Quality and safety plans can be drafted based on WBS.
