Work Breakdown Structure: Comprehensive Guide (+Practical Tips)

[@ITProjectManagers]

🔥 There’s one skill that separates great IT Project Managers from everyone else-project tailoring. Most project managers get stuck trying to learn every new tool and process out there. They dive deep into theories but still struggle to deliver projects on time and within budget. It’s frustrating. The truth is, great project managers don’t try to do it all-they focus on tailoring simple processes and tools that work best for their team and projects. That’s what creates transparency, predictability, and results. But here’s the thing-tailoring isn’t just guessing what might work. It’s about knowing three critical components: 1) Understanding project management on a deeper level. 2) Knowing exactly what to tailor. 3) Applying it effectively in real companies with real people. That’s why I created the Professional Development Plan for IT Project Managers-to help you master project tailoring and finally become the project manager who delivers every time, no matter the challenge. ✅ Click the link below to get your development plan now and take the next step toward mastering project management. itpmschool.com/get-plan?

[@laurentiapaschalinbernadel4991]

This is so helpful, I'll be testing my luck at the end of the week. Hope I'll get the job!

[@ITProjectManagers]

Great! Good luck with the job:)

[@jonesie8377]

This is so good! I purchased your book yesterday and am saving for your course. This is the most practical approach I’ve seen for PM and I’ve watched a million videos and attended a week long course!

[@ITProjectManagers]

Awesome! Thank you! I'm glad you find it useful.

[@olegsmertin-learn2manage]

Great presentation. Thank you! The only comment is that "project management deliverables" in WBS should be "services", not just "artefacts". As an example, "project risk management" is a "services to be performed" and to be registered in WBS, while "Risk Register" is not a WBS deliverable, but a "tool" to be used to assure effectiveness and efficiency of risk management. Same with other project management artefacts - Project Plan, Closure Report, etc. This is my personal view and approach.

[@ITProjectManagers]

You are welcome. And thanks for sharing your approach. The challenge is that "services to be performed" do not have clear definition of done. You can continuously perform that and never deliver results. That's exactly why the WBS structures everything in deliverables.

[@olegsmertin-learn2manage]

Project success does not require Risk Register (i.e. a "product") to be produced, but require Risk Management (i.e. a "service") to be continuously performed (i.e. risks to be identified, evaluated, treated, and monitored). In WBS there can be "Project Management services", which can include Risk mgmt., Quality mgmt., security services, admin support services, etc.

[@ITProjectManagers]

@@olegsmertin-learn2manage if it works for you, I'm fine with it:) It's just not how my mind works and not how I teach my PMs.

[@sebastianalcaraz2382]

As an administrative assistant, this video is essential for my daily tasks to deliver high quality results. Now I'm ready to apply as project manager. Thank you Dymitro

[@ITProjectManagers]

Glad it was helpful! Best of luck with the job search.

[@ConquerorTeen]

You are just a God sent. Im so glued to your videos as i make my career change into project management. So practical. Thank you so very much.

[@ITProjectManagers]

You are welcome!

[@anthonydenisojok3192]

The most complete and applicable explanation of the WBS I have come across

[@ITProjectManagers]

I'm really glad you found the explanation helpful! WBS can be a game-changer in project management.

[@alexanderfernandez9469]

Hi Dimitry, The answer to your question is option A = Dedine 100% of the project scope. Amazing video thank you!

[@ITProjectManagers]

Awesome, thank you for your participation!

[@Onlinepmcourses]

Clear and helpful explanation of the practical process. Thank you.

[@ITProjectManagers]

Glad you liked it, Mike!

[@americaforamericans6254]

A and I guess that would also be my grade for completing your quiz. Very well spoken clear and precise. My hats off to you good sir.

[@ITProjectManagers]

Thanks for your great feedback. Yes, correct:)

[@aewcontrol2984]

A, you said it in the beginning of the video, great work BTW!!! The best explanation of the subject, some people only put one tier of work packages and below each a bunch of child activities, it was confusing.

[@ITProjectManagers]

Thanks! Glad you found it valuable.

[@naterciagomes]

Top explanation, finally I understand what a WBS is

[@ITProjectManagers]

Thanks for your great feedback, Natércia!

[@adamstern5116]

Answer to the question is A. What an awesome video. Thank you for the chapter breakdown it really is amazing and helpful for taking notes. Thanks so much Mr. Dmitriy!

[@ITProjectManagers]

That's correct. Thank you for your participation and feedback!

[@godwinprojectmanagement]

Thank you for this! Very helpful.

[@ITProjectManagers]

You're very welcome!

[@KristinaKushner]

Nice explanation and examples of WBS. Great episode 👌🏽

[@ITProjectManagers]

You are welcome, Kristina. Glad you liked it!

[@araosh1]

Love watching your videos. Crystal clear. thank you

[@ITProjectManagers]

You are so welcome, Anu. Glad you find it useful.

[@Njooo5]

I likess urss acccentt😅 Love ur explanation btw😊

[@ITProjectManagers]

Thanks:)))

[@e_gor1078]

I believe answer's A and all other answers are wright as well (after A)

[@ITProjectManagers]

Correct:)

[@susanagonzalez2424]

At the Deliverable level. Do you list the Project Deliverable or Project Manager deliverables? Thank you! Great videos

[@ITProjectManagers]

Both. You must list all deliverables required for project success.

[@TheCoolgamer21]

Great video😀

[@ITProjectManagers]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@ITProjectManagers]

Put your answer to the video's QUIZ below this comment.

[@wtfmma8787]

Hi, I am doing a WBS for school and I was wondering if you could give any tips on what to use as level 2 deliverables. The project is the completion of the school course which is Project Management.

[@ITProjectManagers]

Hi, it depends on the perspective. But in any case it might be something like this: 1. Project Management Course 1.1 Course Curriculum 1.2 Homework Assignments 1.3 List of Resources 1.4 Practical Workshop 1.5 Communications Workshop 1.6 Sample Project Documentation 1.7 Course Schedule

[@wtfmma8787]

@@ITProjectManagers Thanks a ton Dmitriy! Definitely going to use some of these and will subscribe too.

[@PhanRegSop]

Fantastic lecture.. thanks

[@ITProjectManagers]

Most welcome! Glad you found it useful.

[@slodoco]

I think it's A. The other answers are also correct, but A is the most correct.

[@ITProjectManagers]

That's correct! Thanks for your participation

[@tatuenglish669]

Quality WBS includes internal, external, and interim deliverables. Do you want to deliver the project successfully? Then, do not hide your internal needs. Producing internal and interim deliverable also takes time and money. Could you give me some examples of internal and interim deliverables

[@ITProjectManagers]

Usually an Interim deliverable is the product in certain state of readiness or a piece of your project that cannot be tested or demonstrated. You’ll need, for example, for testing but you’ll no share it with clients. All project management deliverable that clients didn’t ask for explicitly become internal deliverables.

[@craigrobertsonmsc.6260]

Thanks........................

[@ITProjectManagers]

You are welcome, Craig. Thanks for your feedback!

[@sumitpaudel9948]

Hi Dmitriy, I was actually searching WBS for Managing a hostel. I could not find any of the resources that could give an idea about it. ( Not sure about deliverables). Could you please provide me a hint? Thank you!

[@ITProjectManagers]

Hi Sumit, Sorry for the late reply. Managing a hostel is not a project. It’s operational activity. And WBS is not appropriate for this kind of activity. What you really need is to focus on standard operation procedures (SOP). It can be a checklist for each recurring operation in your business. It will help you to improve performance, quality and on-boarding of new employees.

[@ecombo6102]

Hello Dimitry I love your videos and I have a question. I am a 40 year old trying to break into project management. I have a lot of PM skilss that I have aquired from previous job and life experiences that I know will help me be a successful PM someday. Do you recommend focusing on a specialty from the onset ? Change management ,agile?

[@ITProjectManagers]

Hello, Thanks:) Yes, it’s better to specialize right away. At least you need to choose a niche, like IT industry -> Software Development. It will narrow down the amount of industry specific knowledge you need to gain. So, for example, agile methodologies are mostly required in the IT...

[@patrickma177]

Really good, thank you

[@ITProjectManagers]

Glad you liked it, Patrick!

[@samiraadibi7855]

Really good video

[@ITProjectManagers]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@Solanixhanti]

Is the work break down structure sequential?

[@ITProjectManagers]

No, WBS does not define sequence or dependencies. The idea is that you take deliverables and work packages and break them down into tasks. Then, you identify the dependencies between tasks. And it give you a sequence of tasks. From practical standpoint, it's convenient to group and execute the work by deliverables. It gives you better control and focus. Contrast that to executing tasks from random deliverables.

[@smehra342]

Kindly share activity list

[@ITProjectManagers]

Hi Shivam, unfortunately I don't have an Activity List to share. In most cases, activities end up in a project management software. In my case, JIRA or Azure DevOPS.

[@king0vdarkness]

what software tool did you use for the WBS?

[@ITProjectManagers]

In this video, I use Merlin Project. It’s a Mac OS only app.

[@king0vdarkness]

@@ITProjectManagers thank you, is there an android alternative?

[@zlin4616]

How does Agile/SAFe projects use WBS? or not use it at all?

[@ITProjectManagers]

Agile frameworks don’t use WBS as is. Nevertheless, you should be using the principles of high-quality WBS creating in your decomposition of Epics -> Features -> User Stories. However, if we you work in cross-functional environment as a Program Manager, you may want to create a WBS. It will help you control the work over the whole endeavour. But it will be outside Scrum/SAFe frameworks.

[@zlin4616]

@@ITProjectManagers Thank you very much!!!

[@wolfberkych8096]

I would say all the answers are correct. Do they?

[@ITProjectManagers]

No really, Wolf. For sure, it doesn't prove the estimates. The question is what is the main goal. So, it's A.

[@PCasz]

Which tool do you display at 1:29?

[@ITProjectManagers]

It’s Merlin Project

[@miriammunetsi1833]

A

[@ITProjectManagers]

Thanks for your participation and feedback.