1. Do you have the right people in the room?
2. Is there a charter or similar starting point for scope definition?
3. Will you take a deliverable-oriented, phase-oriented or other approach?
4. Do you expect to fully decompose the project scope (which would be appropriate for a project suitable for a predictive life cycle) or use a progressive elaboration approach?
5. Will you take a top-down or top-down/bottom-up approach?
Will your organization scheme apply only to this project, or will it be the baseline for future work?
Who's work will be affected by the way the work is organized? Design, change management, manufacturing, operations, product support, etc.?
Are there existing process or tool (e.g. business system) requirements governing the WBS?
Is your statement of work aligned based on organization structure, or does the work statement integrate inputs from all teams into individual deliverables (itemized vs integrated work statements). Saving Changes...
Also, it's important to define the number of levels of detail, according to the characteristics of the project, including about three levels or more. Saving Changes...
Senior Projects Manager | Field & Marten AssociatesNew Westminster, British Columbia, Canada
To add to my fellow colelagues:
Define what level of control is required by the Project Manager in order to establish the Work Packages and breakdown the WBS to the level required. Saving Changes...
Sergio Luis ConteHelping to create solutions for everyone| Worldwide based OrganizationsBuenos Aires, Argentina
My recommendation is taking a look to PMI´s Practice Standard for Work Breakdown Structure. Saving Changes...
There is a standard for WBS published by PMI. There is a section in which you can find the Quality WBS. You will find a lot of questions. Saving Changes...
Stéphane ParentSelf Employed / Semi-retired| Leader MakerPrince Edward Island, Canada
What is the status update period within which the low-level WBS component needs to fit? Saving Changes...
Thomas WalentaGlobal Project Economy ExpertHackenheim, Germany
Auguste,
ask yourself (and your team) what a 'good' WBS is.
Remember the WBS is also a communication tool to share work breakdown with all stakeholders. Should fit on 1 page and be put on a wall. Should help people to see how beautifully the work is distributed and the context of their own work.
I thank you for your useful answers which will help me to better understand the WBS. I attend training for the preparation of the PMP exam Saving Changes...
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