Effective Work Breakdown Structure - key to project success

Description

We have heard repeatedly the popular saying in Project Management “how do you eat a big elephant?” The answer, “one piece at a time”. This is the basic principle of applying what is called Work Breakdown Structure or commonly known as WBS. It visually defines the scope into manageable chunks that a project team can understand, as each level of the work breakdown structure provides further definition and details. Seems basic? Not Really! And believe it or not, a lot of projects that failed to correctly set up their WBS from the early stages of the work, find difficulty in executing tasks. Reporting project status becomes problematic and managing interfaces becomes an uphill battle.

Remember, WBS is not a mere scheduling principle but serves as the best platform to work through your overall Execution Plans and Strategies. Not only it sets the stage for better scope, schedule and cost management, it also allows for an effective implementation of initiatives to improve reporting, progress metrics, integration and continuous improvements. Surprisingly as well, an adequately established WBS can help eliminate inter-discipline interfaces, promotes better accountability and induce healthy competition amongst project engineers. Thus, leading to a significant improvement in project performance.

Gholan Medalla, BSCE, PMP, PMI-RMP, Msc PM

Gholan has over 20 years of hands on Project Management and Project Controls experience. This is with various overseas assignments such as Saudi Arabia, Canada, Iraq, UAE, Hong Kong, Singapore, Japan and the Philippines. He has worked with the big industry players such as Saudi Aramco (current), Exxon Mobil (IOL), Total, Siemens, Oracle, Kiewit Energy to name a few, with programs ranging from US$ 1B to US$ 5B and Mega Projects costing US$ 9B to US$ 15B.

He specializes in planning & project controls (claims and forensic analysis background), and with substantial experience in design, project execution, estimating, cost, contracting and risk management. He has also implemented, maintained and lead developments of robust Project Controls Systems, tools, KPIs, and processes. His background has strong emphasis on “real project” – “hands on” experience.

Gholan contributes articles to various Project Management blog sites and maintains a website of his own www.thinkhighlevel.com. He has done multiple workshops and guest speaking engagement with various non-profit PM and Engineering Organization in US, Canada, Asia and the Middle East. He is currently enrolled at the University of Salford in Manchester UK for his MSc in Project Management while also juggling his time to complete his book entitled “Project Management Simplified – real project issues resolved”.