The work breakdown structure in software project management

Abstract

A work breakdown structure (WBS) is defined as an enumeration of all work activities in hierarchic refinement of detail which organizes work to be done into short manageable tasks with quantifiable inputs, outputs, schedules, and assigned responsibilities. Some of the characteristics and benefits of the WBS are reviewed, and ways in which these can be developed and applied in software implementation projects are discussed. Although the material is oriented principally toward new-software production tasks, many of the concepts are applicable to continuing maintenance and operations tasks.