Work Breakdown Structure

Project structure analysis or work breakdown structure is a project structure in planed and controllable elements. A project is divided in work packages and subtasks within a framework structure. Subtasks are elements which can be further broken down into smaller units. Work packages are elements found at the lowermost end of the subtasks' branches, and cannot be further split into smaller categories. Work packages contain the processes that are necessary for later planning stages. The creation of a work breakdown structure is one of the central tasks of project planning, along with current levels of knowledge. WBS is the groundwork for the meetings, scheduling and planning for resources and costs.
Besides, the results from the work breakdown structure double as input for risk management. As it can be regarded as a crucial planning stage, WBS could easily be considered a blueprint for all incoming plans.

Structure principles:

The utmost design goal for a WBS is the complete and unique logging of all activities related to a project. Attaining this goal means that efforts should start at the top level and the creation of the project respectively at the lower level for each unique structure principle. The principles are based on DIN-norms 69000 and are:

Function-oriented structure - this functional principle inquiries function areas of the organisation running the project. This is the sort of executed activity upfront.

Object-oriented principle - the product is brought to the foreground. The project theme will be disassembled into its own items and parts.

Time-oriented principle - for a time-oriented approach it's often taken into account the stages of the project. These then form the work package and the subtasks of the respective level.

WBS is basically a tool used to break delivearables down into manageable work packages. It's like you bought a wardrobe and you can't pass through the door while carrying it. You have to disassemble it before getting through the door. The work packages are the units of the work breakdown structure, which are made out of delivearables.