What are the benefits of using a WBS?

Many project managers choose to use a WBS because it provides a clear project
overview and guidelines for their team, but using a WBS can provide several
additional benefits. Implementing a WBS can help you:

 Ensure everyone on your team is working toward the same goals

 Assign tasks to individual team members
 Track the overall progress of each project
 Set clear benchmarks
 Share data and analytics to share with key stakeholders and
company executives
 Identify new opportunities and areas for improvement
 Increase your team's productivity
 Improve the organization of your team and projects
 Develop an accurate timeline
 Identify which tasks are dependent on each other
 Estimate the cost of each project
 Assess and mitigate potential risks
 Create a statement of work to share with key stakeholders, clients
and company executives

What are the 4 WBS levels?

To create an effective WBS, it's important to understand each of the four WBS
levels. Project managers use these levels to prioritize and organize tasks based on
what items need to be completed first to complete the final project. The four WBS
levels you can implement in your organization are:

1. The top level

The top level of a WBS states the project's title and the final deliverable. You can
start creating your WBS with this section by stating the overall scope of the project.
Use clear language to identify what the completed project should look like so
everyone on your team understands what goal they are working toward. The top
level of a WBS can be a great tool to communicate your customer's expectations
about the final project.
For example, if you are the project manager for a software development project,
the top level of your WBS may simply state the name of the project you're working
on, such as an aircraft software system or an integrated library management
system.

Related: How To Create Your Project Scope Statement

2. Controls account

Next, list the controls account WBS level underneath the top level. The controls
account level outlines the main phases of a project and the key deliverables that
need to be achieved. It can also include the major parts, systems or features that
need to be delivered in the final project to meet the customer's expectations.

For example, if you're the project manager for a software development project,
some of the main components you might list at the controls account level of your
WBS include a database system, a search function and a chat feature. This can help
you ensure your final project meets all the necessary criteria and help you improve
customer satisfaction.

Related: How To Set and Track Project Milestones

3. Work packages

The work packages level of a WBS appears underneath the controls account level.
This level breaks the key deliverables down into smaller, more manageable tasks.
In order to be successful at the controls account level, teams need to first
accomplish the tasks presented in the work packages level.

For example, in order for your team to complete the database system at the
controls account level, they may need to develop the software application, servers
and data structure at the work packages level first. You can create a new work
package for each unique task listed at the control account level to group items
together and help your team stay organized.

Related: Tracking Project Progress in 7 Steps

4. Activities
The final WBS level is the activities level. This level includes all the tasks that need
to be completed before a team can work on the tasks listed in the work packages
level. For example, in order for your team to finish developing the software
application at the work packages level, they may need to configure and install
database software or integrate the database server with other network
components. The tasks listed under the activities level are the smallest items to
complete. You can assign each activity to an individual team member to improve
productivity.