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Part Three
Planning and control
Figure 16.6 Stages in the planning process
Work breakdown
structure
Identify activities – the work breakdown structure
Most projects are too complex to be planned and controlled effectively unless they are first
broken down into manageable portions. This is achieved by structuring the project into a
‘family tree’, along similar lines to the component structure (Chapter 5), but which specifies
major tasks or sub-projects. These in turn are divided up into smaller tasks until a defined,
manageable series of tasks, called a work package, is arrived at. Each work package can be
allocated its own objectives in terms of time, cost and quality. The output from this is called
the work breakdown structure (WBS). The WBS brings clarity and definition to the project
planning process. It shows ‘how the jigsaw fits together’. 7 It also provides a framework for
building up information for reporting purposes.
Example project
As a simple example to illustrate the application of each stage of the planning process, let us
examine the following domestic project. The project definition is:
● purpose: to make breakfast in bed;
● end result: breakfast in bed of boiled egg, toast and orange juice;
● success criteria: plan uses minimum staff resources and time, and product is high-quality
(egg freshly boiled, warm toast, etc.);
● scope: project starts in kitchen at 6.00 am, and finishes in bedroom; needs one operator
and normal kitchen equipment.
The work breakdown structure is based on the above definition and can be constructed as
shown in Figure 16.7.
Figure 16.7 A work breakdown structure for a simple domestic project