Six Sigma Tool Navigator: The Master Guide for Teams

2017-07-07 02:10:07

AKA

Work Breakdown Diagram

Classification

Planning/Presenting (PP)

Tool description

A work breakdown structure (WBS) is a necessary division of the overall project into major categories of work. Major categories, in turn, are broken down into more defined, specific elements, and then finally down to a work package level. This process provides project management the ability to schedule, assign resources, and report work package completion status.

Typical application

To break down a total project's work into definable, manageable, and reportable work packages.

To reduce the complexity of a project so that interrelated activities and work elements can be clearly understood.

To identify work packages and resource requirements, and to schedule for completing project activities.

Problem-solving phase

→	Select and define problem or opportunity
→	Identify and analyze causes or potential change
→	Develop and plan possible solutions or change
	Implement and evaluate solution or change
	Measure and report solution or change results
	Recognize and reward team efforts

Typically used by

	Research/statistics
	Creativity/innovation
2	Engineering
1	Project management
	Manufacturing
	Marketing/sales
	Administration/documentation
	Servicing/support
	Customer/quality metrics
3	Change management

links to other tools

before

Comparison Matrix

Project Prioritization Matrix

Action Plan

Objectives Matrix

Responsibility Matrix

after

Trend Analysis

Gantt Chart

Activity Network Diagram

Program Evaluation and Review Technique (PERT)

Major Program Status

Notes and key points

A WBS typically consists of five or more levels of breakdown to reduce a project's scope and complexity:

Level	Description	Designation Example
1	Project	10
2	Category	10.1
3	Subcategory	10.1.1
4	Work element	10.1.1.1
5	Work package	10.1.1.1.1
6	Deliverables	10.1.1.1.1.1

Step-by-step procedure

STEP 1 The first step for a project manager's team is to identify the major categories of work to be completed. See example WBS for Adding an Assembly Line.

STEP 2 A designation or accounting schema is then established to be able to account for or schedule work. The numbering system used is arbitrary—see example shown.

STEP 3 All work categories are broken down into a lower level of detail. This process continues down to the basic work package level. Typically, five or more levels are diagrammed.

STEP 4 The final WBS diagram should reflect all required work and is used as a resource document for the planning and scheduling of the overall project.