A work breakdown structure (WBS) is a project management tool that splits a project into smaller, manageable pieces, from major deliverables down to individual work packages. It shows everything the team must produce, so nothing is missed and every task can be estimated, scheduled and assigned. Project managers build one at the start of construction, software, event and commercial projects.
This page has 35+ work breakdown structure templates, all editable and free to download. They include a simple WBS, a detailed version, a commercial project WBS, a software project WBS and a blank WBS template to fill in from scratch. A WBS example helps when you are deciding how many levels your project needs.
Focus on deliverables, not activities. Each item should be a noun, such as “landing page” or “foundation”, and the lower levels must add up to the full scope, a check often called the 100% rule.
Once the work is broken down, see our PERT chart templates and critical path analysis templates to schedule the tasks, plus scope of work templates to agree what is included.
Official Work Breakdown Structure Templates
Simple Work Breakdown Structure Template
Commercial Work Breakdown Structure Template
Detailed Work Breakdown Structure Template
Project’s Work Breakdown Structure Template
Work Breakdown Structure Blank Format Template
Software Project Work Breakdown Structure Template
Special Work Breakdown Structure Template
Informative Work Breakdown Structure Template
Department’s Work Breakdown Structure Template
Standard Work Breakdown Structure Template
Work Breakdown Structure Excel Template
Basic Work Breakdown Structure Template
Block Style Work Breakdown Structure Template
Tips for Creating an Effective Work Breakdown Structure Template
To create an effective and useful work breakdown structure template, consider the following important tips.
- Gather different ideas and involve the members of the project team in creating an effective WBS. Also involve other departments in group discussions so that you can consider their opinions and suggestions too.
- The overall layout and structure of a WBS must look professional. There must be enough space to provide details of each element of the WBS.
- It is good practice for project team members to use classic tools like whiteboards or sticky notes to determine the important work packages.
- Include more detail for tasks or sub-tasks at lower levels and less detail for higher-level tasks or sub-tasks.
- Keep these details precise and straightforward so that key users can easily understand them.
- Feel free to use different available tools for brainstorming, which can help generate useful and relevant ideas.
- Before finalizing the work breakdown structure, review your WBS template properly and amend or adjust it as needed.
Sample Work Breakdown Structure Templates
Organizational Work Breakdown Structure Template
Elemental Work Breakdown Structure Template
Formal Work Breakdown Structure Template
Example Work Breakdown Structure Template
Expert’s Work Breakdown Structure Template
Company’s Work Breakdown Structure Template
Work Breakdown Structure with Gantt Chart Special Template
Software Development Work Breakdown Structure Template
Work Breakdown Structure Dictionary Template
Work Breakdown Structure Diagram Template
Work Breakdown Structure Levels Template
Modern Work Breakdown Structure Template
Benefits of a Work Breakdown Structure Template
Following are some basic benefits of a work breakdown structure:
- The most common use of a work breakdown structure is to effectively and efficiently manage and organize a project.
- It helps a lot in determining the objectives and desired results of a project.
- It is an effective tool for visually representing all the levels, tasks or sub-tasks of a project.
- Through a WBS, a particular project can easily be managed by dividing the work in manageable tasks.
- A WBS template is also effectively used in explaining a particular project in details, to the potential stakeholders.
- With such a system at place, managers can easily evaluate the overall progress of a particular project.
- It is a useful tool in estimating the costs of a project and ensures to prevent wastage of resources.
- Team members become fully aware of their roles and responsibilities that will ultimately increase their productivity.
- A WBS provides the basis of overall budgeting of the business as well as separate budgeting for each department.
- It encourages effective communication within the departments.
- It is an effective tool in identifying and managing the risks.
More Work Breakdown Structure Templates
Specific Work Breakdown Structure Template
Sample Work Breakdown Structure Template
Explicit Work Breakdown Structure Template
Exclusive Work Breakdown Structure Template
Regular Work Breakdown Structure Template
Latest Work Breakdown Structure Template
Plain Work Breakdown Structure Template
Elaborated Work Breakdown Structure Template
Ordinary Work Breakdown Structure Template
Pofessional Work Breakdown Structure Template
Company’s Work Breakdown Structure Template
Proper Work Breakdown Structure Template
Creating a WBS Around Deliverables
Choose a work breakdown structure that divides the project into manageable deliverables. A WBS describes scope; dates and dependencies belong in the linked schedule. After defining the work packages, WordNExcelTemplates’ project plan template can help organize their owners, timing and delivery status.
- Define the final outcome and major deliverable groups.
- Break each group into work packages with clear boundaries.
- Check coverage and assign ownership before developing the schedule.
Worked Example
Example: an event project can break into venue, programme, registration and communications. The registration work package includes the required outputs and boundaries. “Work on event” is too broad to estimate, while individual email messages may be too detailed for the WBS level being used.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Avoid duplicating the same work under several branches. Use a short dictionary to clarify ambiguous package names.
Related Templates
- PERT Chart Templates
- Business Requirements Document Templates
- Critical Path Analysis Templates
- Scope of Work Templates
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a WBS just a task list?
No. It organizes the project scope hierarchically, commonly around deliverables. Tasks and sequencing can then be planned from the work packages.
How detailed should a work package be?
Detailed enough to estimate, assign and verify. Stop decomposing when extra levels no longer improve management of the work.
