Project Management

Chapter 11 : Identifying Project Activities

Activity Definition

Work Breakdown Structure (WBS)

Developing A WBS

Top-Down Approach
Bottom - Up Approach

Test for Completeness of Decomposition of Activities

Measurable
Bounded
Deliverable
Simplicity in Estimating Cost/Time
Acceptable Duration Limits
Activity Independence

Approaches to Defining Deliverables in the WBS

Noun – Type Approaches
Verb-Type Approaches
Organizational Approaches

Representing the WBS

Chapter Summary

Every project is a group of several activities. The expected project outcome can be achieved only when all required activities are identified, planned for, and implemented. The WBS is an useful tool that enables the project manager to identify all the activities and put them in proper sequence.

The WBS helps the project manager to have a clear vision of the entire project and overall processes required to achieve project objectives. The WBS which breaks down the project into several activities, can be used both as a planning and a reporting tool. The project manager should ensure that the WBS is flexible and that changes can be incorporated when needed. While sequencing the activities, the project manager can use one of two approaches: a top – down approach or a bottom – up approach.

In order to test whether an activity is to be decomposed or not, the project manager considers the test for completeness. An activity need not be broken down further, if it fulfills the six conditions specified. The project manager follow three types of approaches to developing in the WBS. They are: noun-type, verb-type, and the other organizational approaches.

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