The Role of Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) in BIM and Architecture

This PowerPoint presentation delves into the pivotal significance of Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) within Building Information Modeling (BIM) and architectural projects. It highlights how a well-structured WBS acts as the backbone for streamlined project management, enabling clear task delegation, resource allocation, and progress tracking.

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4. Deliverable-Based Work Breakdown Structure

・ A Deliverable-Based Work Breakdown Structure clearly demonstrates the relationship between the
project deliverables (i.e., products, services or results) and the scope (i.e., work to be executed).

‘Work 100%
Budget $215,500
EE, Tnteml 00 2. Foundation 3. Extemal 00
Wok 2400% Work
Budget $46,000 Budget $2500
ニコ ニーー «— 9 |
Work 1820% Work 1620%
Budget 537.000 Budget 562000
GC Superintendent Painting Contractor
Work sam Wek 1420%
Budget 59000 Budget $21500

FIGURE 1 - DELIVERABLE BASED WORK BREAKDOWN STRUCTURE

Source: https://www.workbreakdownstructure.com/

5. Phase-Based Work Breakdown Structure

ㆍ APhase-Based WBS requires work associated with multiple elements be divided into the work unique
to each Level 1 Element.
ㆍ Agood WBS is simply one that makes the project more manageable.

FIGURE 2 - PHASE BASED WORK BREAKDOWN STRUCTURE

Source: https://www.workbreakdownstructure.com/

6. | Characteristics

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Delivery or phase-based
hierarchical structure of
the complete scope of

Contains 100% of the Communicates the

scope of work

scope of work to project
stakeholders

The areas in which the WBS works :

・ Tasks

5 Characteristics ・ Costs
of WBS + Schedule

・ Scope
+ Function

View can be graphical,
tabular, or in à list form

+ Responsibility

Three levels used to
identity elements, and work
‘packages.

Source: Institute Project Management.

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11. How to Make a Work Breakdown Structure?

+ GATHER CRITICAL DOCUMENTS
1. Gather critical project documents.
2. Identify content containing project deliverables, such as the Project Charter, Scope Statement
and Project Management Plan (PMP) subsidiary plans.

+ IDENTIFY KEY TEAM MEMBERS
1. Identify the appropriate project team members.
2. Analyze the documents and identify the deliverables.

+ DEFINE LEVEL 1 ELEMENTS
1. Define the Level 1 Elements. Level 1 Elements are summary deliverable descriptions that must
capture 100% of the project scope.
2. Verify 100% of scope is captured. This requirement is commonly referred to as the 100% Rule.

Source: https://www.workbreakdownstructure.com/

12. How to Make a Work Breakdown Structure?

+ DECOMPOSE (BREAKDOWN) ELEMENTS
1. Begin the process of breaking the Level 1 deliverables into unique lower Level deliverables. This
“breaking down” technique is called Decomposition.

2. Continue breaking down the work until the work covered in each Element is managed by a single
individual or organization. Ensure that all Elements are mutually exclusive.

3. Ask the question, would any additional decomposition make the project more manageable? If the
answeris “no” , the WBS is done.

+ CREATE WBS DICTIONARY

1. Define the content of the WBS Dictionary. The WBS Dictionary is a narrative description of the
work covered in each Element in the WBS. The lowest Level Elements in the WBS are called Work
Packages.

2. Create the WBS Dictionary descriptions at the Work Package Level with detail enough to ensure
that 100% of the project scope is covered. The descriptions should include information such as,
boundaries, milestones, risks, owner, costs, etc.

CREATE GANTT CHART SCHEDULE
1. Decompose the Work Packages to activities as appropriate.
2. Export or enter the Work Breakdown Structure into a Gantt chart for further scheduling and

project tracking.
Source: https://www.workbreakdownstructure.com/

15. Benefits of Work Breakdown Structure

+ A WBS helps the project planners identify the work to be done and determine the best way to
decompose the work.

+ A WBS provides an overview of the project, which stakeholders can review at any level of detail
they want.

ㆍ A scope statement is only a high-level view of the boundaries of a project. A WBS exposes the
detailed t asks that comprise the overall project scope.

・ Team members appreciate clear instructions about what they are supposed to deliver. A work
package communicates the extent of an assignment. The relationship of the work package to the
rest of the WBS increases workers commitment by showing how their efforts contribute to success.

ㆍ Project deliverables that don't have corresponding summary tasks or work packages in the WBS are
a warning that you haven't yet identified all the work that the project requires.

+ Work Breakdown Structure helps the planners develop more accurate estimates of a project
schedule and costs

+ Once you begin executing the project, work packages and summary tasks are not yet started, in
progress, or complete. By breaking work into smaller components, you have more points at which
you can accurately measure progress.

Source: Devi, T. R., & Reddy, V. S. (2012). Work breakdown structure of the project. Int J Eng Res Appl, 2(2), 683-686.

16. Conclusion

WBS is definitely a key to a successful project. However, WBS has limitations as it requires

+ Active management of interfaces

+ Increases work burdens on management and management functions like planning, organising,

monitoring, and review.

+ Potential demarcation problems
Project managers must determine the precise amount of detail to be included in the WBS. Too little leas
toa project that lacks definition whereas too much becomes too bureaucratic. Since there no set way to
determine the amount of information in the WBS, the project manager and the team judgement based
on experience is of success.