![]() ![]() But there is another reason to create a WBS with a Mind Map: it also allows you to work collaboratively and engage your Project Team. We will see why this is shortly, once we’ve looked at what a Mind Map is. This is the approach you get when you create a WBS with a Mind Map. This is because, at each step, you can check: ‘have I missed anything?’ In principle, you should be more rigorous this way. And then, you break down each area into successively smaller and smaller activities, until you get to the simplest tasks. You start with the goal of the project and break it into big areas of work. Work Breakdown Structure Create a Top Down WBSįormal Project Management uses a ‘top-down’ approach to creating a WBS. It’s shortcoming is that it lacks rigour – one forgotten (or lost) sticky note leaves a gap in your project. It is especially good as a team exercise, to engage your Project Team early on. For small, simple projects, it is perfectly adequate. This is a ‘bottom-up’ approach to creating a WBS. Continue until your project has from 3 to 9 big clusters (ideally no more than 7).Rearrange the small clusters, so related clusters are nearby.Start to cluster the notes so related tasks sit together.Brainstorm every task and write it onto a sticky note.How to Create a WBSĪ common approach to creating a simple WBS is this: If I were to choose an eleventh, it would be the Work Breakdown Structure. In an earlier article, How to Get Better Project Management Results, I listed ten valuable tools. A Gantt Chart without a WBS is like cooking a 4 course meal without ingredient list or recipe. Going straight to a Gantt Chart is like starting to cook a four course meal without an ingredient list or a recipe. And finally, you can put them into a logical sequence. Form there, you can estimate how long each task will take, and the resources it will need. Building a WBS with a mind Map makes this part especially easy. Once you have all of your tasks developed in your WBS, you can cluster them into logical groups. ![]() The Gantt Chart process puts together tasks, sequence and duration. It allows you to focus on one thing at a time: the tasks to be done. The reason to use a WBS before you create your Gantt Chart is focus. It literally does what its name suggests: it breaks your work down into a structure. The tool of choice for understanding what you need to do to complete your project is the Work Breakdown Structure. Poor logic in the groping and logical flow between tasks.But without first giving enough thought to what tasks you need to do, your Gantt Chart risks two big problems: This means that new Project Managers often rush to create a Gantt Chart. Indeed, they are almost a symbol for Project Management. They have become the’ project planning tool. Create a WBS with a Mind Map The Value of a Work Breakdown StructureĮveryone seems to know about Gantt Charts, even if they don’t know the name. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |