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WBS Hierarchal or Written ?

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Ahmed Sanad Project Director| Siemens Energy Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Hello everyone.
Hope everything is fine,
I'd like to ask you as per your experience in project management field. is it better for us to use WBS in a hierarchal format ? or in a text format just with identification codes ?

The question with another wording, is it a must to have a hierarchal WBS ?

Best Regards,
Ahmed Sanad
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Anonymous
I suggest that you take a small project or major task and try to break it down graphically and using text. Then show it to your "class" and see what they tell you is better - clearer - best.
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Anonymous
One more comment - I see you are with Siemens and they are good for PM. What is the practice in your organization?
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Ahmed Sanad Project Director| Siemens Energy Dubai, United Arab Emirates
I got your point , and we have same opinion.
Regarding Siemens , there's no MUST in this , it depends on the category of the project itself.
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Khawaja Saif ur Rehman Project Management Trainer & Consultant Lahore, Pakistan
There are people who tend not to use tools and underestimate the power of tools. Simple lists are created and are thought to be sufficient. Using tools have long lasting impacts.

With regard to project category, yes it is not must yet tools should be used. Like Mounir suggested, showing both representations will help clear the idea.
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2 replies by Ahmed Sanad
Apr 23, 2016 8:30 AM
Ahmed Sanad
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This is exactly what I mean khawaja.
That people who underestimate WBS in visual formats may fall to identify some details that may lead to several risks.
Apr 23, 2016 8:30 AM
Ahmed Sanad
...
This is exactly what I mean khawaja.
That people who underestimate WBS in visual formats may fall to identify some details that may lead to several risks.
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Ahmed Sanad Project Director| Siemens Energy Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Apr 23, 2016 8:22 AM
Replying to Khawaja Saif ur Rehman
...
There are people who tend not to use tools and underestimate the power of tools. Simple lists are created and are thought to be sufficient. Using tools have long lasting impacts.

With regard to project category, yes it is not must yet tools should be used. Like Mounir suggested, showing both representations will help clear the idea.
This is exactly what I mean khawaja.
That people who underestimate WBS in visual formats may fall to identify some details that may lead to several risks.
avatar
Ahmed Sanad Project Director| Siemens Energy Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Apr 23, 2016 8:22 AM
Replying to Khawaja Saif ur Rehman
...
There are people who tend not to use tools and underestimate the power of tools. Simple lists are created and are thought to be sufficient. Using tools have long lasting impacts.

With regard to project category, yes it is not must yet tools should be used. Like Mounir suggested, showing both representations will help clear the idea.
This is exactly what I mean khawaja.
That people who underestimate WBS in visual formats may fall to identify some details that may lead to several risks.
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Khawaja Saif ur Rehman Project Management Trainer & Consultant Lahore, Pakistan
Precisely!

Glad I could help. :)
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Anonymous
Apr 23, 2016 8:22 AM
Replying to Khawaja Saif ur Rehman
...
There are people who tend not to use tools and underestimate the power of tools. Simple lists are created and are thought to be sufficient. Using tools have long lasting impacts.

With regard to project category, yes it is not must yet tools should be used. Like Mounir suggested, showing both representations will help clear the idea.
Hi Khawaja

Just to be clear - I did not say "both representations will help clear the idea" - yes both can be used but that does not mean both will provide clear image.

Personally, I do not use text and will always use graphics - even for the simplest projects. I use Mind Mapping software - which is a great tool for graphical representation. I also mandate on my team the use of graphics - since text format in my view is not efficient.

I think it is important in these discussions to understand the differences in the various approaches and terms.
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1 reply by Ahmed Sanad
Apr 23, 2016 12:14 PM
Ahmed Sanad
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Dear Mr. Mounir
It would be so helpful if you can support us from your experience and suggest us WBS software (best one from your experience).
Is it Microsoft Visio ? Mind mapping software ?does Microsoft project do that ?does Primavera do that ?
I know they all will do the job, but which one do you prefer ?
Thanks in advance.
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Khawaja Saif ur Rehman Project Management Trainer & Consultant Lahore, Pakistan
Understood exactly like that. :)
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Ahmed Sanad Project Director| Siemens Energy Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Dear Mr. Mounir
It would be so helpful if you can support us from your experience and suggest us WBS software (best one from your experience).
Is it Microsoft Visio ? Mind mapping software ?does Microsoft project do that ?does Primavera do that ?
I know they all will do the job, but which one do you prefer ?
Thanks in advance.
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