NASA Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) Handbook

1 Page NASA/SP-2016-3404/REV1 NASA Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) Handbook January 2018 National Aeronautics and Space Administration 2018-11-27T18:41:15+00:00 ZPage ii NASA STI Profile Since its founding, NASA has been dedicated to the advancement of aeronautics and space science. The NASA scientific and technical information (STI) program plays a key part in helping NASA maintain this important role. The NASA STI program operates under the auspices of the Agency Chief Information Officer. It collects, organizes, provides for archiving, and disseminates NASA s STI. The NASA STI program provides access to the NTRS Registered and its public interface, the NASA Technical Reports Server, thus providing one of the largest collections of aeronautical and space science STI in the world. Results are published in both non-NASA channels and by NASA in the NASA STI Report Series, which includes the following report types: TECHNICAL PUBLICATION.

2 Reports of completed research or a major significant phase of research that present the results of NASA Programs and include extensive data or theoretical analysis. Includes compilations of significant scientific and technical data and information deemed to be of continuing reference value. NASA counter-part of peer-reviewed formal professional papers but has less stringent limitations on manuscript length and extent of graphic presentations. TECHNICAL MEMORANDUM. Scientific and technical findings that are preliminary or of specialized interest, , quick release reports, working papers, and bibliographies that contain minimal annotation. Does not contain extensive analysis. CONTRACTOR REPORT. Scientific and technical findings by NASA-sponsored contractors and grantees. CONFERENCE PUBLICATION. Collected papers from scientific and technical conferences, symposia, seminars, or other meetings sponsored or co-sponsored by NASA.

3 SPECIAL PUBLICATION. Scientific, technical, or historical information from NASA programs, projects, and missions, often concerned with subjects having substantial public interest. TECHNICAL TRANSLATION. English-language translations of foreign scientific and technical material pertinent to NASA s mission. Specialized services also include organizing and publishing research results, distributing specialized research announcements and feeds, providing information desk and personal search support, and enabling data exchange services. For more information about the NASA STI program, see the following: Access the NASA STI program home page at E-mail your question to Phone the NASA STI Information Desk at 757-864-9658 Write to: NASA STI Information Desk Mail Stop 148 NASA Langley Research Center Hampton, VA 23681-2199 NASA Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) Handbook Page iii NASA/SP-2016-3404 NASA Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) Handbook National Aeronautics and Space Administration January 2018 NASA Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) Handbook Page iv This Handbook is available in electronic form at NASA Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) Handbook Page v TABLE OF CONTENTS Table of Contents v List of Figures and Illustrations vii Record of Revisions viii Preface ix Purpose ix Applicability ix References ix Chapter 1: Introduction 1 Background Information 1 Policy 1 Chapter 2.

4 WBS Overview 2 Definition 2 WBS Hierarchy 3 Establishing and Maintaining WBS Codes in NASA s Management Systems 5 Contract Work Breakdown Structure (CWBS) and CWBS Dictionary 7 Work Breakdown Structure Elements by Other Performing Entities 9 Development Guidelines 9 Summary 10 Chapter 3: WBS Development and Control 11 WBS and the Project Life Cycle 11 WBS Activities and Responsibilities 12 Development Considerations 14 Compatibility between WBS and CWBS 14 Compatibility with Internal Management Systems 15 Correlation with Other Requirements 16 Number of Levels 17 All Inclusiveness 20 Change Control 21 WBS Development Techniques 21 Preparing Functional Requirement Block Diagrams 21 Coding WBS Elements in a Consistent Manner 22 Preparing Element Tree Diagrams 23 Preparing a WBS Dictionary 25 Using Development Checklists 28 Using WBS Templates 29 Common Development Errors 30 Using Unsuitable Former WBS 30 Non-Product Elements 30 Center Breakouts at Inappropriate Levels 31 Incorrect Element Hierarchy 33 NASA Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) Handbook Page vi Chapter 4.

5 WBS Uses 35 Technical Management 36 Specification Tree 36 Configuration Management 36 Integrated Logistics Support 36 Test and Evaluation 37 Work Identification and Assignment 37 Schedule Management 38 Cost Management 39 Performance Management 40 Risk Management 41 APPENDIX A: Acronym Listing 43 APPENDIX B: Glossary of Terms 45 APPENDIX C: Standard Project WBS Level 2 Templates and WBS Dictionary Content Descriptions 47 APPENDIX D: Standard Data Requirements Document (DRD) 55 APPENDIX E: Contractor CWBS Example 57 NASA Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) Handbook Page vii List of Figures and Illustrations 2-1 Project Development Cycles and 2 2-2 WBS Levels ..4 2-3 Partial WBS with Numbering 5 2-4 Illustration WBS Code Request Template for 7 2-5 Illustration MdM Code Import 7 2-6 WBS/CWBS 8 3-1 WBS and the Project Life 11 3-2 WBS Product and Enabling Support 12 3-3 WBS Development Activities & 14 3-4 WBS Relational Interfaces to NASA Business/Management 16 3-5 WBS Cross-Reference 17 3-6 WBS Hierarchy 18 3-7 Relationships between WBS, OBS, CA, WP, and 20 3-8 Agency WBS Numbering 22 3-9 Partial WBS Tree Diagram Illustrating Recommended 24 3-10 Sample Software WBS 25 3-11 Example WBS Index 26 3-12 WBS Dictionary 28 3-13 WBS Checklist 3-14 Unsuitable Non-Product.

6 Phase-Oriented 31 3-15 Unsuitable Functional/Organizational Oriented 31 3-16 Center Breakout Guidance for a 33 3-17 Illustration of Incorrect Element 34 4-1 The WBS as a Project Management Tool for 35 4-2 Responsibility Assignment Matrix (RAM).. 38 4-3 WBS and the Development of the Performance Measurement 41 4-4 WBS Serves as a Common Reference Point in Risk 42 NASA Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) Handbook Page viii Record of Revisions REV LTR DESCRIPTION DATE Basic Issue January 2010 A Miscellaneous Minor Revisions October 2016 B Miscellaneous Minor Revisions January 2018 NASA Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) Handbook Page ix Preface Purpose The purpose of this document is to provide program/project teams necessary instruction and guidance in the best practices for Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) and WBS dictionary development and use for project implementation and management control.

7 This Handbook can be used for all types of NASA projects and work activities including research, development, construction, test and evaluation, and operations. The products of these work efforts may be hardware, software, data, or service elements (alone or in combination). The aim of this document is to assist project teams in the development of effective work Breakdown structures that provide a framework of common reference for all project elements. The WBS and WBS dictionary are effective management processes for planning, organizing, and administering NASA programs and projects. The guidance contained in this document is applicable to both in-house, NASA-led effort and contracted effort. It assists management teams from both entities in fulfilling necessary responsibilities for successful accomplishment of project cost, schedule, and technical goals.

8 Benefits resulting from the use of an effective WBS include, but are not limited to: providing a basis for assigned project responsibilities, providing a basis for project schedule and budget development, simplifying a project by dividing the total work scope into manageable units, and providing a common reference for all project communication. Applicability This Handbook provides WBS and WBS dictionary development guidance for NASA Headquarters, NASA Centers, the jet propulsion laboratory , inter-government partners, academic institutions, international partners, and contractors to the extent specified in the contract or agreement. References NPD , NASA Engineering and Program/Project Management Policy NFS Part 1834, Major Systems Acquisition Electronic Industries Alliance (EIA)-748, Earned Value Management Systems Standard NPR , NASA Space Flight Program and Project Management Requirements NPR , NASA Information Technology and Institutional Infrastructure Program and Project Requirements NPR , NASA Research and Technology Program and Project Management Requirements MIL-STD-881, Department of Defense Standard Practice, Work Breakdown Structures for Defense Materiel Items PMI 978-1-933890-13-5, Practice Standard for Work Breakdown Structures NASA/SP-3705, NASA Space Flight Program and Project Management Handbook NASA/SP-6105, NASA Systems Engineering Handbook NASA Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) Handbook Page 1 Chapter 1.

9 Introduction Background Information In accordance with NFS Part 1834, Major Systems Acquisition, NASA policy NPD , NASA Engineering and Program/Project Management Policy, and directives NPR , NASA Space Flight Program and Project Management Requirements, NPR , NASA Information Technology and Institutional Infrastructure Program and Project Requirements (NID Interim Directive), NPR , NASA Research and Technology Program and Project Management Requirements, the WBS and WBS Dictionary are mandatory elements of a project s management baseline. This section provides general WBS information including policy, definition, guidelines, and development process. Policy Per NPR , NPR Interim Directive, NPR , and NFS Part 1834 a project WBS is a key element of NASA project management processes.

10 The WBS and WBS Dictionary requirements contained in these three documents apply to all types of NASA programs and projects depending on the product line involved. The WBS is a core element of a project s baseline throughout all life cycle phases. It is the responsibility of each project manager and their project team to ensure that the WBS requirements are adhered to, not only during initial WBS development, but also in its on-going maintenance and control. The standard project WBS structures and templates identified in the above NPRs were intended to apply only to new projects established on or after June 1, 2005. NASA Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) Handbook Page 2 Chapter 2: WBS Overview Definition Each NASA program has a set of goals which are developed from NASA mission needs.