A work breakdown structure wbs milstd881d is a tool used to define a project in discrete work elements in a hierarchical format. Department of defense dod component field activities. It is intended to provide the framework for department of defense dod program managers to define their programs wbs and also be valuable guidance to defense contractors in their application and extension of the contracts wbs. It provides the framework for department of defense dod program managers to define their programs wbs and to defense contractors in their. A productoriented family tree composed of hardware, software, services, data, and facilities. New milstd881d work breakdown structures for defense. The principal document that describes these structures is formally titled department of defense standard practice work breakdown. The work breakdown structure is hierarchical, as the top objective level 1 represents. Each wbs is designated specifically for a particular type of defense system and is. Mn 3221 principles of systems acquisition and program. They are the actual configuration items of the system, and enable the realization of the system. The work breakdown structure provides a mechanism for enumerating the work being performed on a program, both for the contractor team and for the government program office. The project schedule is the tool that communicates what work needs to be performed, which resources of the organization will perform the work and the timeframes in which that work needs to be performed.
The common elements of a wbs are elements common to all acquisition programs developed by the dod. Cost engineering policy and procedures interim guidance 2017 2019 version 1. In this approach, the wbs is derived by decomposing the overall project into subprojects or lowerlevel tasks. A wbs is arranged in a hierarchy and constructed to allow for clear and logical groupings, either by activities or deliverables. For organizations venturing into the world of government defense contracts, the department of defense provides guidelines, milstd 881d, for the development of a standardized work breakdown structure wbs. It is intended to provide the framework for department of defense dod program managers to define their programs wbs and also be valuable guidance to defense contractors in their application and. It provides the framework for department of defense dod program managers to define their programs wbs and to defense contractors in their application and extension of the contracts wbs. Work breakdown structure milhdbk881 provides instructions on how to prepare, understand and construct a program wbs provides guidance for preparing a contract wbs on the role of wbs in negotiation and award the wbs function in measuring postcontract performance designed to provide a consistent application of wbs across dod. The wbs should represent the work identified in the approved project scope statement and serves as an early. This research concludes that a wbs structured in accordance with milhdb881 can significantly impede. Planhammer is a fully featured work breakdown structure software with robust project management capabilities. The key architectural construct within the program element is the work breakdown structure wbs subject to dod instruction 5000.
A program wbs is established to provide the framework for program and. Common elements can be found at all levels of a wbs. The wbs should be documented in a way thats easy for all team members to access. Wbs hierarchical list of projects work activities t wo formats outline indented format graphical tree organizational chart uses a decimal numbering system ex. It provides the framework for department of defense dod program managers to define their programs wbs and also to defense contractors in their application and extension of the contracts wbs. Acq 101 module 6 work breakdown structure wbs quizlet. Fully expandable and collapsable work breakdown structure. The work breakdown structure in software project management article pdf available in journal of systems and software. Ufc will be used for all dod projects and work for other customers where appropriate.
Breakdown your project within the only wbs project management software that allows task assignment and full collaboration with your team mates. The traces portal is the comprehensive platform fulfilling cost. Technology readiness levels trls supporting information for hardware and software 72 table 6. Later in 1962, nasa and the aerospace industry introduced the work breakdown structure theory. Determines who is going to accomplish the required tasks activities, where, under what conditions, and to what measures. Preparing a work breakdown structure is generally discussed in the context of planning and monitoring a defense materiel system program. Performers are the major items in the portfolio to be managed and optimized.
Cost breakouts by wbs elements are useful to the program office and contractors in managing the program. Milhdbk881a provides guidance for constructing the wbs. Wbs schedule pro can be used by itself as a standalone project planning and. Even though the term work breakdown structure has been used as a label for all project scope hierarchical diagrams, there are, in practice, many types other than deliverable oriented structures verboriented wbs. The project schedule should reflect all of the work associated with delivering the project on time. The topdown approach, in my opinion, generates a complete and more accurate wbs. In 1968, the dod issued work breakdown structures for defense materiel. A work breakdown structure wbs is a project management tool designed to capture project tasks in a visual, organized manner. The position of software in the work breakdown structure. All about work breakdown structures wbs smartsheet. Tausworthe jet propulsion laboratory the work breakdown structure wbs is a vehicle for breaking an engineering project down into subproject, tasks, subtasks, work packages, and so on. This standard is mandatory for all acquisition category acat i, ii, and iii programs. It is a fundamental tool commonly used in project management and systems engineering overview.
Software, in fact, belongs at a number of places in the wbs, some higher than others. All construction outside of the united states is also governed by status of forces. The work breakdown structure in software project management robert c. Today, work breakdown structures are widely used for projects of all types, both business and personal. All levels contain the measurable components that must be produced or achieved in order to reach the overall objective, the completion and delivery of the product. Designed to provide a consistent application of wbs across dod. With a work breakdown structure, you can stay focused on what you need to accomplish as you move toward the project deadline. Many department of defense dod nondilutive funding opportunities require applicants to submit a statement of work sow as part of the application process. Pdf the work breakdown structure in software project. Wbs schedule pro is windowsbased project management software that combines a work breakdown structure wbs chart, a network chart, a gantt chart, a task sheet plus numerous additional features to produce a featurerich yet easytouse tool to plan and manage projects. The principal document that the dod employs in developing and standardizing wbs is the dod standard practice work breakdown structures for defense materiel items.
Work breakdown structures faculty naval postgraduate school. The wbs was originally developed by the us department of defense, which mandated their use across the dod. Level 2 covers the prime mission products including the aircraft system hardware and software and. Mil std881d dod standard practice work breakdown structure. A work breakdown structure wbs provides a consistent and visible framework for defense materiel items and. An example of a work breakdown structure for a new it system using sticky notes. Example program management tools used with technology readiness assessments tras 90.
Software implementation project work breakdown structure 60 table 5. This handbook is approved for use by all departments and agencies of the department of defense. There are essentially two ways to create a work breakdown structure the topdown or the bottomup approach. A work breakdown structure wbs provides a hierarchical or a breakdown structure that decomposes the project scope into more discrete and manageable work components 1. A workbreakdown structure wbs in project management and systems engineering, is a. Office of the inspector general of the department of defense, the defense agencies, the dod field activities, and all other organizational entities within the dod hereinafter referred to. The ims is traceable to the integrated master plan imp, work breakdown structure wbs, statement of work sow, contractor performance report cpr and earn value management system evms.
Work breakdown structures in large projects how detailed should a wbs be. Tasks and schedules are better handled in other ways, for example by using gantt charts. Work breakdown structure wbs a management tool that identifies and integrates hardware, software. A work breakdown structure wbs provides a consistent and visible framework for defense materiel items and contracts within a program. Rather it provides the basis on which a task list and a schedule can be constructed. An effective work breakdown structure will be focused on which element of the program. The concept of work breakdown structure developed with the program. A work breakdown structure wbs is a visual tool for defining and tracking a project deliverable and all the small components needed to create it. Wbs schedule pro overview wbs work breakdown structure. A work breakdown structure or wbs is a tree structure, that permits summing of subordinate costs for tasks, materials, etc.
How to use and create your own work breakdown structure. It displays and defines the product, or products, to be developed andor produced. This standard presents direction for effectively preparing, understanding, and presenting a work breakdown structure wbs. Work breakdown structure elements for software dtic. The two main types of project work breakdown structures. The process of breaking down the scope into a wbs should continue until the entire project scope is decomposed in adequate details matching the level of control that the project read more.
Wbs guidelines for government acquisition programs mil. It relates the elements of work to be accomplished to each other and to the end product. New milstd881c work breakdown structures for defense. Milhdbk881a, which guides dod work breakdown structures wbs, defines software only by levels e. A work breakdown structure is a treelike structure that permits summing of subordinate. A work breakdown structure wbs is a decomposition of all the work necessary to complete a project. Isa 201 intermediate information systems acquisition. It provides the framework for department of defense dod program managers to define their. The ims is used to verify attainability contract objectives, to evaluate progress toward meeting program objectives, and to integrate the program schedule activities with all related components. The departement of defence dod provides the milstd 881d guidelines for the. A work breakdown structure is not a list of tasks, a schedule or an organization chart. The principal document that describes these structures is formally titled department of defense standard practice work breakdown structures for defense materiel items, commonly referred to as the 881 did.
The family tree results from systems engineering efforts during the acquisition of a defense materiel item. Over the past several decades, the concept of wbs has been revised to be used in more general fields such as the aircraft sector, the electronics. Which of the 11 department of defense materiel items categories applies to developing, delivering and maintaining an assembly of computer hardware, software, firmware, or any combination of these. The work breakdown structure theory originally came from the united states department of defense dod.
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