Creating and Using a Work Breakdown Structure (PMI - PMP)

Project Management Professional Certification Program (PMI-PMP)

What you'll learn:

• Describe ways in which a work breakdown structure can be useful when planning and managing a project
• Recognize how to organize the layers of a work breakdown structure
• Identify inputs to the Create WBS process
• Recognize decomposition activities
• Recognize best practices for decomposing project deliverables
• Identify characteristics of verified deliverables in a WBS
• Identify the key activity for finalizing a WBS
• Identify the components of the scope baseline
• Recognize the role of the WBS dictionary in a project's scope baseline
• Demonstrate your understanding of the Create WBS process

The Creating and Using a Work Breakdown Structure (PMI - PMP) is course 7 of 28 of the Project Management Professional Certification Program (PMI-PMP). The course is aligned with the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK6) developed by the Project Management Institute (PMI).

This course focuses on a single process, the Create Work Breakdown Structure Process, or create WBS, as it's called in the PMBOK® Guide. We're going to talk about the role the WBS plays in planning, and how it's used in control and reporting.

You'll learn about the important activities involved in decomposition to break down project requirements and deliverables in order to create a WBS. You'll also learn about an important output of the Create WBS process, the scope baseline.

1. The Role of the WBS
2. The WBS Structure
3. Inputs to Create WBS
4. Decomposition Activities
5. Principles for Effective Decomposition
6. Verifying the WBS
7. Finalizing the WBS
8. Outputs of Create WBS
9. The WBS Dictionary
10. Exercise: Creating the WBS and Scope Baseline

The importance of schedule control can't be overstated. Every project, no matter how well-planned, encounters unexpected roadblocks and delays. The skills you learn in this course will directly translate into your ability to identify potential problems early, analyze their impact, and develop effective solutions. By learning to anticipate challenges, you'll be empowered to make informed decisions that mitigate risks and keep your project on track. Proactively addressing issues is the difference between projects that spiral out of control and those that successfully meet their goals, on time and within budget.

That’s it! Now go ahead and push that “Take this course” button, and see you on the inside!