5.2.1 Work Breakdown Structure (WBS)

The Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) provides the basis for developing the project budget as various project activities or work packages along with the required resources and their associated cost estimates are identified through the work breakdown structure. As shown in Figure 4.1, the project schedule is created from the WBS and the project budget then allocates the resources needed to support that schedule. Therefore, The WBS, the project schedule and the project budget, together constitute the most important elements of a project plan.

Figure 4.1 – The relationship between WBS, Scheduling, and Budgeting
Source: Pinto, forthcoming. Used with Permission