Work breakdown structures (WBS)
An important concept for IEM is the work breakdown structure (WBS). The PMBOK® Guide calls it decomposition:
Decomposition is a technique used for dividing and subdividing the project scope and project deliverables into smaller, more manageable parts. The work package is the work defined at the lowest level of the WBS for which cost and duration can be estimated and managed. The level of decomposition is often guided by the degree of control needed to effectively manage the project. The level of detail for work packages varies with the size and complexity of the project. PMBOK® Guide = Project Management Body of Knowledge published by the Project Management Institute.
IEM supports two alternative WBSs: Elements and Activities, in addition to the standard project tasks. When using elements and activities, the project task becomes the work package. Using elements and activities is optional; project tasks are mandatory.
Elements decompose the project into its main cost components, while activities decompose the project into its main activity components. Combining the two ("which activities do I need to complete this element?") creates the project tasks as work packages. The estimating function supports this process.
Element and activity repositories
To ensure that the same codes for elements and activities are used across projects, select project elements and activities from an element and activity repository.
To create and maintain the repositories:
- Choose the
icon (Alt+Q) and type Elements or Activities. - In the list, create a code and description.
Project elements and project activities
Project elements and project activities are optional in a project. When specified, they must be available in all postings created from and to the project.
To create and maintain project elements or project activities:
From the Project card, select WBS > Project Elements or Project Activities.
In the Project Elements or Project Activities lines, select a code from the respective repository.
- The project element and project activity lines have the same types as project tasks: Posting, Heading, Total, Begin-Total, End-Total. With these line types, large sets of elements and activities can be grouped and nested.
- On the project element and project activity lines, cost and price fields are rolled up from the project tasks as per the following matrix:
| Type | Budget | Actual | ETC | Forecast |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cost | V | V | V | V |
| Price | V | V | V | V |
| Cost (LCY) | V | V | V | V |
| Price (LCY) | V | V | V | V |
| Time | V | V | V | V |
- The project element lines also have fields for estimated resource costs, equipment costs, material costs, and expenses.
- Milestones also require an element and activity. Make sure to define a project element and project activity for the project task type Milestone.
See also
Welcome to Industrial Equipment Manufacturing