Project Management

Product Breakdown
Structures (PBS)
and
Work Breakdown Structures
(WBS)

Objectives
Examined

PBS and WBS

Tasks and Numbering
Create PBS and WBS

Work Breakdown Structures and

Product Breakdown Structures are
usually very similar in shape and
content.
The difference is that if the words in the
boxes are nouns then it is a PBS.

If the words are verbs, i.e. describing

the work which has to be done, then it
is a WBS.

Numerous styles can be used for

either, but the one used here for the
WBS is easier to fit more detail onto.
Similarly different numbering styles can
be used for the levels, e.g. 1000, 1100,
1110, 2000, etc.

The Product Breakdown Structure is

done first, probably only to 3 or 4 levels.
This helps identify what the product (or
project) consists of.

The Work Breakdown Structure is then

created, often to a greater level of
detail to show how the work will be
organised to achieve the requirements
of the Product Breakdown Structure.

0.0

Product Breakdown Structure

House

1.0
Foundations

1.1
Footings

2.0

3.0
Walls

1.2
DPC

2.1
Brick outer

2.2
Block inner

Roof

3.1

3.2
Rafters

Tiles

Work Breakdown Structure

Level 1

0.0
Build
House

n.b. This is incomplete in

order to keep on one page.

Level 2

Level 3

1.0

2.0

Lay
Foundations

Build
Walls

1.1

2.1

Lay
Footings

Level 4

Level 3

Build
Brick outer

3.0
Construct
Roof

3.1
Construct
Roof frame

1.1.1 Dig footings

3.1.1 Construct joists

1.1.2 Lay concrete

3.1.2 Construct rafters

1.1.3 Lay HD blocks

3.1.3 Lay roof felt

1.2

2.2
Lay
DPC

Build
Block inner

3.2
Lay tiles

Activity Create a PBS and WBS

You are a Project Manager working at a local
college. You are responsible for managing the
transformation of standard classroom to turn
it into an IT classroom for internal and
external short courses. This includes (among
other things) installing all cabling, networking,
Smart-board and IT equipment.

In Conclusion
Examined

PBS and WBS

Tasks and Numbering
Activity to create PBS and WBS
Questions?