MS Project
A Graphical WBS using a tool like Visio or Xmind.net
The graphical tools mentioned can serve as a powerful way to communicate information about the project to people who may not necessarily have the technical skills to navigate their way through the project organization software that is being used for the project; i.e. Prince or MS Project. It also serves as a quick way to reference activities that is basically effortless which is useful even if you do have the required technical skills. It can serve as a report that can be used as a dashboard by management or a way to illustrate the project to other stakeholders; both internally and externally. Basically, with just a quick glance, any individual can see information such as the task name, its interconnectedness, it's duration, its predecessors as well as the following task that are dependent upon it.
Figure 1 - Xmind Example
Figure 2 -- MS Vizio Example
A MPP file containing the WBS in MS-Project with WBS Id and Task Name with proper formatting and Task hierarchy.
Task Name
Duration
Start
Finish
WBS
Predecessors
CyClone Project
1 day?
Mon 9/19/11
Mon 9/19/11
Design
10 days
Mon 9/19/11
Fri 9/30/11
Procure Prototype Parts
10 days
Mon 10/3/11
Fri 10/14/11
Fabricate Parts
8 days
Mon 10/3/11
Wed 10/12/11
Assemble Prototype
4 days
Mon 10/17/11
Thu 10/20/11
5
3,4
Laboratory Test
7 days
Fri 10/21/11
Mon 10/31/11
6
5
Field Test
10 days
Tue 11/1/11
Mon 11/14/11
7
6
Adjust Design
6 days
Tue 11/15/11
Tue 11/22/11
8
7
Order Stock Components
10 days
Wed 11/23/11
Tue 12/6/11
9
8
Order Custom Components
15 days
Wed 11/23/11
Tue 12/13/11
10
8
Assemble Test Production Unit
10 days
Wed 12/14/11
Tue 12/27/11
11
9,10
Test Unit
5 days
Wed 12/28/11
Tue 1/3/12
12
11
Document Results
12.38 days
Wed 1/4/12
Fri 1/20/12
13
12
There is a plethora of ways to view the contents included in a work breakdown structure from within MS Project. The standard GANTT view offers all the information found in a WBS right on the main screen of project. However, viewing the information in this view isn't quite as intuitive as using a graphical illustration such as can be composed in a program such as MS Visio.
3. Responsibility Assignment Matrix
You’re 80% through this paper. Sign up to read the full paper.
Sign Up Now — Instant Access Already a member? Log inAlways verify citation format against your institution’s current style guide requirements.