22 Work Breakdown Structure examples! WBS examples for a software project, construction projects, a conference, finding a job, selling a house, planning permission and other real projects. FREE to download in Visio and PDF format.
Breaking down the work is the first stage of project planning and essential for managing project scope. For more background read an introduction to work breakdown structures.
- See also Create your own work breakdown structure online - download a WBS Template to edit online.
- Free Excel WBS template
- Download a WBS Checklist
Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) examples from real world projects
These WBS were created for real world projects by a qualified Project Manager (Prince 2 Practitioner, APM Practioner, MSP Practioner) with over 14 years experience.
Business Process Modelling (BPM) WBS
This is a work breakdown for BPM. It covers the phases in the BPM lifecycle: launch, design, modelling, develop or execution, implement and realise value and monitor. It includes modelling as-is and to-be processes, validating the processes, and testing. See a large image and download a visio or PDF of the WBS.
Read more on BPM.
Business acquisition Project
Includes migration of resourcing information, migration of project accounting, training, 100 days plan, communications policies and procedures.
See a large image and download a visio or PDF of this WBS.
Contact Center Software Project
Includes testing, content creation, data import, training and solution configuration. Doesn't include Project Management activities.
See a large image and download a visio or PDF of this WBS.
Download a Microsoft Project Schedule for a Software Implementation Project.
Construction Project WBS
This Work Breakdown Structure is for a Construction project. It represents the first step in scheduling, which is to breakdown the work. It includes site preparation, ground beams, flooring, brickwork, electricity, plumbing and finishes.
See a large image and download a visio or PDF of this WBS
Construction Repair works
Includes project definition, specification, design and tender, construction and project close.
See a large image and download a visio or PDF of this WBS
Download the MS Project schedule for this construction project
Estate Redevelopment Project
High level Construction for a redevelopment project WBS.
See a large image and download a visio or PDF of this Construction WBS
Preparing a House for Sale
Focuses on tasks to smarten up the property ready for the first viewing. Pretty specific to the particular house sale only useful as an example.
See a large image and download a visio or PDF of this WBS
Finding a Job Work Breakdown Structure
Includes CV updating, interview prep, linkedin job alerts, engaging your network of contacts and a job requirements checklist. The WBS has 5 levels of decomposition the lowest level being preparing for several difficult, but common interview questions.
See a large image and download a visio or PDF of this WBS for finding a new job. See a Find a New Job Mind Map version.
Service Cloud deployment Work Breakdown Structure
Includes core configuration, locale specific settings, enablement, deployment of the agent desktop and plan and design phases.
See a large image and download a visio or PDF of this WBS for Service Cloud
Software upgrade Work Breakdown Structure
Includes data migration, content and infrastructure migration, upgrade of customizations, configuration amendments, core functionality testing and deployment.
See a large image and download a visio or PDF of this WBS for a Software Upgrade.
Teacher Training Programme WBS
Materials, Conference and Website for a teacher training course.
See a large image and download a visio or PDF of this WBS for Teacher Training
UAT testing Work Breakdown Structure
This is an example of a high-level work breakdown structure for User Acceptance Testing it includes training, roles, test sites and the testing tasks.
See a large image and download a visio or PDF of this WBS for UAT
Establish construction site
This is an example of a work breakdown structure for establishing a Construction site. Covers fit out, utilities, access road, security and clearing the site.
See a large image and download a visio or PDF of this WBS for setting up a Construction site
Engineering project work breakdown - solar cell
Includes engineering, technical drawing, educating and enterprising: marketing budget.
See a large image and download a visio or PDF of this WBS for a Solar Cell
Planning Permission Work Breakdown
This example work breakdown structure is from a project to get planning permission. Includes consulting with the planning officer, drawings required and submission of the planning application.
See a large image and download a visio or PDF of this WBS for Planning Permission
Other recommended WBS from real world examples
Building a Solar Vehicle
Covers Orientation, Analyzing, Development and Implementation phases of an engineering project to build a Solar Vehicle.
WBS of an Aircraft
Three level Work Breakdown Structure of an Aircraft System covering the aircraft, training, data, support equipment, site activation, spares and industrial facilities. By Mdd at en.wikipedia (Transferred from en.wikipedia) [Public domain], from Wikimedia Commons
Work Breakdown Structure examples from Project Management books
Fulfillment Customer Data Projection WBS
Image from Jack Ferraro, Project Management for Non-Project Managers, Amacon, 2012. Covers Project Management, Regulations, Help desk process remediation, system development and communication.
WBS example from PMP exam review guide
Image from Kim Heldman; Vanina Mangano, PMP®: Project Management Professional Exam: Review Guide, Second Edition, Sybex, 2011
Work Breakdown Structure - managing people and projects
Image from Rudolf Melik, The Rise of the Project Workforce: Managing People and Projects in a Flat World, John Wiley & Sons
Work Breakdown Structure examples from Prince 2
Conference Work Breakdown
Using Prince 2 product base planning approach. Covers venue selection, delegate arrangements, publicity, handout pack and structure and format of the day. Image file from Prince 2. Managing Projects with Prince2, 2009, OGC
Conference Mindmap work breakdown structure
Using Prince 2 product based planning approach. Covers conference logistics, venue, attendees, delegate handouts, publicity and speakers. Image file from Prince 2 2009. Managing Projects with Prince2, 2009, OGC
Work Breakdown Structure for stage plan
Prince 2 example for 'ITT' stage plan. Covers business requirements, procurement process information, suppliers, and measurement i..e selection criteria. Image file from Prince 2 2009. Managing Projects with Prince2, 2009, OGC.
Example work breakdown structures - references and further reading
Office of Government Commerce (2009), Managing Successful Projects with PRINCE2: 2009 Edition, London: TSO.
Rudolf Melik, (2015).The Rise of the Project Workforce: Managing People and Projects in a Flat World, John Wiley [&] Sons.
