The number of the levels required for the wbs project management template xls will be depend on the characteristics of the project, but the levels must be sufficient to meet the project managers needs for the accurate estimating and the effective project monitoring. It is an essential tool for planning and executing the project. Pmbok guide sixth ed pdf is available for download free of cost for pmi members. When it comes to project scope management, the work package is the smallest yet the important unit of a wbs, so take a closer look at its. The most complete project management glossary for professional project managers. This term is defined in the 3rd and the 4th edition of the pmbok. Mar 19, 20 work package is the lowest level in a work breakdown structure which both defines specific deliverables and those resources people, equipment, etc. The pmbok 6 th edition continues the use of the framework of 5 process groups and 10 knowledge areas.
When delivering any piece of project work to a client, an effective project manager will ensure that the project is broken down into smaller pieces. In the similar vein, the level of the detail will vary, but one the option is to follow the 880 rule, which. In the wbs context, the word work refers to work products or deliverables that are the result of effort, and not to the effort itself. An essential element of this is appropriate division of the project into manageable work packages. The work package level is the lowest level of a work breakdown structure wbs. Creating a work breakdown structure wbs helps you be both comprehensive and specific when managing a project. Oct 31, 2008 a work package in project management is a group of related tasks that are defined at the same level within a work breakdown structure. The work package is the lowest level in the sense that meaningful estimation of cost and duration for the scope of work included can be achieved.
Work package vs activity for pmp exam updated pmp, pmi. A wbs is defined by the pmbok as a deliverableoriented hierarchical decomposition of the work to be executed by the project team to accomplish the project objectives and created the required deliverables. Other terms that are related are work package, control account, contract work breakdown structure, and project summary work breakdown structure. A work package would define the work needed to be done, the duration or time frame needed to complete it and any costs and resources needed to produce the subdeliverables. It is one of the three elements of the scope baseline. Take advantage of customizable forms and readytogo templates for project plans, presentations and more. Whether you an aspirant, who have just started pmp journey or a pmp certified, it is for your information that you can download a free pdf copy of pmbok6 from pmi website. A guide to the project management body of knowledge pmbok guide sixth edition. Work breakdown structure or wbs is a method used to decompose a project or large piece of work into smaller manageable chunks of work. Work packages can be scheduled, cost estimated, monitored, and controlled. It integrates project scope, cost, and schedule measures to help the project management team assess and measure project. Work packages are a way for the project manager to group work activities together and assign work to a team or team manager to produce one or more products.
The performance of a work package can be measured by the earned value management measurement technique, a commonly used performance measurement metric. Wbs templates in project management free download programs. This template lets you subdivide an activity or work package into smaller parts cost items. Introduction the work breakdown structure is a fundamental tool of project management which is formed as an output of the process 5. How to create a work breakdown structure wbs pm documents. A work package has many of the same components of a project. This excel workbook contains a wealth of templates to help you during your project.
Because of the necessary and sufficient rule applied, the roll up to the top defines all the project work. A work package is therefore a set of information about one or more required products. You should use the additional fields in ms project to provide. In traditional costschedule systems, the criteria for defining work packages is as follows. Work packages are typically at the very bottom level of the overall process of project management. A manager and the head of engineering discuss a change to a major work package.
Each work package is clearly distinguishable from all other work packages. It is widely used in the area of project management to breakdown a project into. Work package vs activity for pmp exam updated pmp, pmiacp. Prince2 provides the steps you need to take in your project, and normal responsibilities of the team members.
You create a work package when you decompose a deliverable into components while creating a work breakdown structure. Then, go back to the related project management knowledge area and reread the topic to strengthen your knowledge. The work package level is the lowest level in the wbs, and is the point at which the cost and activity durations can be reliably estimated and managed. Its customisable, so you can tailor and use for small and large projects. This is when making a work breakdown structure or a work breakdown structure template is essential. The pmbok defines wbs as a deliverableoriented hierarchical decomposition of the work to be executed by the project team. Use the wbs to define the work for the project and to develop the projects schedule.
In project management, a work package is defined as the effort required to produce a deliverable within a project. In project management terms, this is called a work package. Pmi, pmp, and pmbok are registered marks of the project management institute, inc. The terms work package and activity are often used interchangeably, although on the exam, they are very distinct concepts and should not be confused.
The level of detail for work packages will vary with the size and. This ambiguity could result in duplicated work or miscommunications about responsibility and authority. B breaking the work down to the work package level. A work package is the lowest component in a work breakdown structure wbs, sometimes called the terminal element of a wbs. These deliverables can instantly boost your productivity and help you get. Effective sizing and content definition of work packages. Applying the work breakdown structure to the project. Prince2 work package where products are created the. Work package 1 work package 2 work package 1 work package 2 activity 1 activity 2 activity 3 task 1 task 2 task 3 agile scrum. The deliverables at the last level of any wbs are called a work package. Another tried and true measure is to consider whether the work package can be completed between reporting periods. Three elements of the scope baseline element name process 1. The importance of work packages in project scope management. Pmbok 6th edition pdf download for pmp certification.
Project management institute, a guide to the project management body of knowledge, pmbok guide fifth edition, project management institute inc. C formalizes acceptance of completed deliverables via a signoff. The wbs represents all the product and project work, including project management work. Because they look like projects themselves, they are often thought of as subprojects within a larger project.
Work performance measurement is an output of control scope. In the tree structure of a wbs, project deliverables and activities are broken down into manageable parts. The wbs may include control accounts for the work packages. A wbs contains 4 levels as indicated on the above figure. Free work breakdown structure templates try smartsheet for free according to the project management body of knowledge pmbok, a work breakdown structure wbs is a hierarchical decomposition of the total scope of work to be carried out by the project team to accomplish the project objectives and create the required deliverables. A work package can be thought of as a mini project, that when combined with other work. According to the project management body of knowledge pmbok 5, a work breakdown structure template is a hierarchical decomposition of the total scope of work to be carried out by the project team to accomplish the project.
A guide to the project management body of knowledge pmbok guide fourth edition 2008 project management institute, 14 campus blvd. Such a work package may include sections from, or reference to, the project plan, stage plan or. In the tree structure of a wbs, project deliverables and activities are broken down into manageable parts, making it easier. Jun 05, 2019 project management templates are precious timesavers. Prince2 is a project management methodology, applicable to all types of projects. Work breakdown structure project management knowledge. This guide is used by countless people worldwide and is something that any aspiring project manager should understand thoroughly. Master of project academy, an online elearning company, offers a package of readytodownload project management templates that are essential tools to a project managers success. Not only it is legal but you can save a few dollars with your capm or pmp certification. Scope management planning is the foundation for all project planning. A work package is a group of related tasks within a project.
Project management free templates by project management docs. Many pmp students have trouble understanding the difference between a planning package and a work package. A few of the key characteristics of highquality work breakdown structures practice standard for work breakdown structuressecond edition are outlined below. Cracking the pmbok code 6th edition military pm pro. The appriopriate form of each management product depends on the project environment and you should tailor them to suit the project. The work breakdown structure wbs provides a structural view into the project. According to the project management body of knowledge pmbok, a work breakdown structure wbs is a hierarchical decomposition of the total scope of work to be carried out by the project team to accomplish the project objectives and create the required deliverables. Apr 10, 2020 measuring work package performance with earned value management.
The ultimate list of 42 free project management templates. Dsdm is a registered trade mark of agile business consortium limited. After the meeting, the manager contacts you and tells you to complete the paperwork to make the change. This copy is a pmi member benefit, not for distribution, sale or reproduction. Work breakdown structure wbs in project management. Each work package typically has someone assigned to oversee it. Work packages in project management by barney austen.
Pmi membership pmbok 6th edition pmi free pdf pmbok download. A work package in project management is a group of related tasks that are defined at the same level within a work breakdown structure. This is a simple template for work package in prince2, with explanation and downloadable word file. Aug 23, 2019 according to the project management body of knowledge pmbok 5, a work breakdown structure template is a hierarchical decomposition of the total scope of work to be carried out by the project team to accomplish the project objectives and create the required deliverables. Free work breakdown structure templates smartsheet. Jan 20, 2011 work packages in project management by barney austen.
Note that the work package is the lowest level of decomposition. When practicing free pmp questions and answers, take notes especially for the mistakes you make. Work breakdown structure wbs refers to a portion of a total project management plan that is used by the project management team to organize a project into manageable objectives and create a blueprint by which the steps leading to the completion of a project are obtained the work breakdown structure can be thought of like an outline of the project and like an outline. A work package can be done informally or formally dependent upon the nature of the project, and it should include the work to create one or more specialist products. Communications management plan communication is arguably the most important and most difficult project knowledge area to plan and execute. The planned work is contained within the lowest level wbs components, which are called work packages. Once the work breakdown structure and the schedule are defined, this document can be used to plan and monitor the costs for each individual activity or work package. Creating a work breakdown structure requires a clear understanding of what a wbs actually involves. A fixture in classic project management methodology and systems engineering, the work breakdown structure wbs is a method that breaks a project down into a hierarchy of deliverables, tasks, and subtasks.
The definition of a projects scope requires comprehensive specification of its work breakdown structure. To figure out an appropriate work package size, try the 880 rule, which states that a work package shouldnt take less than eight hours to complete or more than 80 hours. A work package describes all the work necessary to create a single deliverable. Work packages are the smallest unit of work that a project can be broken down to when creating your work breakdown structure wbs. All the work contained in the child elements must equal the complete work to be. Its a helpful tool that defines a detailed cost or time estimate and provides guidance for schedule development and control. A work package is a portion of the work breakdown structure that allows project management to define the steps necessary for completion of the work package. Work breakdown structure wbs in project management teamgantt. Download and install the best free apps for project management software on windows, mac, ios, and android from cnet download. Sep 06, 2017 the number of the levels required for the wbs project management template xls will be depend on the characteristics of the project, but the levels must be sufficient to meet the project managers needs for the accurate estimating and the effective project monitoring. This could be a supervisor, a team leader or may just be the team member who was designated as the leader. The terms work package and activity are commonly by many project managers to refer to the tasks to be performed in the.
This level is considered to be a manageable component of work. The 100% legal pdf copy of pmbok sixth edition is available for all pmi members. Planning package a work breakdown structure component below the control account with known work content but without detailed schedule activities see also control account. That is the only way to grab all you need to know for each project management processes you will see in the pmp exam. Prince2 template for work package management plaza. We present the main considerations relevant to determining the size and contents of work packages. Download pmbok guide 6th edition pdf free for pmi members. Pmbok chapter 5 project scope management flashcards. To that point, the work package, which is the lowest level of decomposition of the work breakdown structure, is the unit that effective cost, schedule, quality, resources, communications, risks, procurements, stakeholder engagement, and integration planning are built upon. The work represented by the activities in each work package must add up to 1. The hierarchy of steps breaks the project into levels.
Feature structure product theme 1 theme 2 epic 1 epic 2 epic 3 epic 4 story 1 story 2 story 3 task 1 task 2 task 3 agile and the pmbok guide sixth edition how should pmps respond. Such a work package may include sections from, or reference to, the project plan, stage plan or project initiation documentation. Measuring work package performance with earned value management. It includes a project checklist, charter, budget sheet, risk log, scope change log, project team register, communication reference chart, lessons learned register and. Generally, a work package should not contain less than 80 hours of work. This is a way of describing the work so that the team knows exactly what work is needed in order to meet the goals of the project. The wbs is developed during the create wbs planning. According to the project management body of knowledge pmbok, a work breakdown. Prince2 templates prince2 has many management products. A work package can be thought of as a mini project, that when combined with other work package units, form the completed project.