Appendix G

Process Improvement Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) Example

This Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) example is used with permission of the California Department of Transportation. This is an example of a WBS for a process improvement project. It is divided into three phases:

1. Research to determine the best solution to the problem. This research includes the recommendation of a solution, or solutions, to the sponsor.
2. Implementation of the approved solution(s). If there were more than one approved solution, then the “Phase 2” WBS would be repeated for each solution.
3. Evaluation to determine if the solution works. This leads back to further research and continuous process improvement.

Note that not all branches of the WBS are decomposed to the same level of detail. Also some WBS elements, e.g., 1.1.2 and 1.2, are modular templates which are repeated as often as needed.

1 WBS for Process Improvement Project

1.1 Phase 1: Research and recommendations

1.1.1 Phase 1 Charter

1.1.2 Project Management Plans for Phase 1

1.1.3 Research

1.1.3.1 Documentation of the “State of the Art”

1.1.3.1.1 Document Search

1.1.3.1.2 Consultation with Experts

1.1.3.1.3 Benchmarking

1.1.3.1.4 Product and Software Review

1.1.3.2 Documentation of the Current State in the Subject Organization

1.1.3.2.1 Interviews

1.1.3.2.2 Surveys

1.1.3.2.3 Statistical Analysis

1.1.3.2.4 Flow Charts of Current Processes

1.1.4 Identification of Improvement Needs

1.1.4.1 Determination of Desired State (Vision Statement)

1.1.4.2 Gap Analysis

1.1.4.3 Most Likely Solutions

1.1.4.3.1 Brainstorming

1.1.4.3.2 Statistical Analysis

1.1.4.3.3 Flow Charts of Desired Processes

1.1.5 Recommendations

1.1.5.1 Recommendation 1

1.1.5.1.1 Draft Charter

1.1.5.1.2 Estimated Cost

1.1.5.2 Recommendation 2

1.1.5.2.1 Draft Charter

1.1.5.2.2 Estimated Cost

1.1.5.3 Recommendation n

1.1.5.3.1 Draft Charter

1.1.5.3.2 Estimated Cost

1.2 Phase 2: Implementation of Approved Recommendation x

(This portion of the WBS is repeated for each approved recommendation)

1.2.1 Recommendation x Charter (approved and amended version of the draft from 1.1.5)

1.2.2 Project Management Plans for Phase 2 (seven plans, as for Phase 1)

1.2.3 Process Documentation

1.2.3.1 Draft process (policy, handbook, manual chapter, etc.)

1.2.3.2 Review

1.2.3.3 Revision (1.2.3.2 and 1.2.3.3 are iterative—repeat until there is consensus)

1.2.3.4 Publication

1.2.3.4.1 Hardcopy

1.2.3.4.2 Internet or Intranet

1.2.3.4.3 Other

1.2.4 Tools (software, etc.)

1.2.4.1 Design

1.2.4.2 Build

1.2.4.3 Test

1.2.4.4 Revision (1.2.4.3 and 1.2.4.4 are iterative—repeat until the product meets its goals)

1.2.4.5 Implementation

1.2.5 Training

1.2.5.1 Instructors

1.2.5.1.1 Hiring

1.2.5.1.2 Training (“Train the Trainers”)

1.2.5.2 Development

1.2.5.2.1 Draft Training Materials

1.2.5.2.2 Review and Pilot

1.2.5.2.3 Revision (1.2.5.2.2 and 1.2.5.2.3 are iterative—repeat until the class meets its goals)

1.2.5.3 Delivery

1.3 Phase 3: Evaluation

1.3.1 Project Management Plans for Phase 3 (seven plans, as for Phase 1)

1.3.2 Documentation of the New State in the Subject Organization

1.3.2.1 Interviews

1.3.2.2 Surveys

1.3.2.3 Statistical Analysis

1.3.2.4 Flow Charts of New Processes

1.3.3 Identification of Deficiencies

1.3.3.1 Flow Charts of Desired Processes (from 1.4.3.3)

1.3.3.2 Gap Analysis

1.3.4 Recommendations for New Projects

1.3.4.1 Recommendation 1

1.3.4.1.1 Draft Charter

1.3.4.1.2 Estimated Cost

1.3.4.2 Recommendation 2

1.3.4.2.1 Draft Charter

1.3.4.2.2 Estimated Cost

1.3.4.3 Recommendation n

1.3.4.3.1 Draft Charter

1.3.4.3.2 Estimated Cost

The following table is another representation of Phase 1 of this same WBS…an outline view developed with a spreadsheet application. Though the entire WBS can be represented in this manner, only Phase 1 of this WBS example is shown as an illustration.

WBS Level	WBS Code	WBS Element
1	1	WBS for Process Improvement Project
2	1.1	Phase 1: Research and Recommendations
3	1.1.1	Phase 1 Charter
3	1.1.2	Project Management Plans for Phase 1
3	1.1.3	Research
4	1.1.3.1	Documentation of the “State of the Art”
5	1.1.3.1.1	Document Search
5	1.1.3.1.2	Consultation with Experts
5	1.1.3.1.3	Benchmarking
5	1.1.3.1.4	Product and Software Review
4	1.1.3.2	Documentation of the Current State in the Subject Organization
5	1.1.3.2.1	Interviews
5	1.1.3.2.2	Surveys
5	1.1.3.2.3	Statistical Analysis
5	1.1.3.2.4	Flow Charts of Current Processes
3	1.1.4	Identification of Improvement Needs
4	1.1.4.1	Determination of Desired State (Vision Statement)
4	1.1.4.2	Gap Analysis
4	1.1.4.3	Most Likely Solutions
5	1.1.4.3.1	Brainstorming
5	1.1.4.3.2	Statistical Analysis
5	1.1.4.3.3	Flow Charts of Desired Processes
3	1.1.5	Recommendations
4	1.1.5.1	Recommendation 1
5	1.1.5.1.1	Draft Charter
5	1.1.5.1.2	Estimated Cost
4	1.1.5.2	Recommendation 2
5	1.1.5.2.1	Draft Charter
5	1.1.5.2.2	Estimated Cost
4	1.1.5.3	Recommendation 3
5	1.1.5.3.1	Draft Charter
5	1.1.5.3.2	Estimated Cost
2	1.2	Phase 2: Implementation of Approved Recommendation

Table G-1. Process Improvement WBS Example

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This WBS example is illustrative only and is intended to provide guidance to the reader. No claim of completeness is made—for any specific project, the example may be complete or incomplete. All examples reflect the quality principles expressed in this Practice Standard. As expressed in the PMBOK® Guide—Third Edition “the project management team is responsible for determining what is appropriate for any given project” (Project Management Institute 2004).