Top 10 Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) Templates With Samples and Examples (Free PDF Attached)

Research shows that the vast majority of businesses waste at least half of their time on re-working of projects as the original effort was shoddy or does not pass muster on quality standards. The figure may appear shocking, but it is true. Anecdotal experience is also a strong indicator that this (reworking of projects) happens at a shocking frequency. This is a worrying statistic that signals a woeful lack of planning. 

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Well, lack of Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) is the culprit in almost all cases. It is the critical activity before execution that breaks down projects into manageable chunks, and gets to know the entire work structure needed to execute a job. Once the work is distributed into segments, organizations can also ensure that the right team is doing it. Such attention to detail results in fabulous, positive results across businesses.

A work breakdown structure will address the what and the how of your project. In-depth research will ensure that the deliverables (final outcomes) will come once you have distributed tasks in the optimum manner.

With our content-ready PPT Presentation Templates, you can focus your attention on estimating costs, developing schedules, identifying resources, and determining risks where they may occur and finally have a work distribution structure in place. Choose from our best-in-class work breakdown structure templates now! 

Template 1: Work Breakdown Structure PPT

Here is an all-in-one presentation template to showcase and share your project work breakdown structure. Record your internal, external and intermediate activities such as business modeling, content marketing, IT, and product development in this flowchart rich PPT Presentation. Project execution will never ever be an issue with this template. Download it now.

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Template 2: Work breakdown structure of real estate PPT

If the project in hand involves construction, then use our dedicated template set to enlist the components involved. Highlight aspects involved in executing a construction project from scratch, including documentation, field work, and planning. The content-ready work breakdown structure templates lend you a competitive advantage due to its thoroughness and ultimate mapping of tasks to individual workers. Download this presentation template now.

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Template 3: System Integration Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) PowerPoint Presentation

Presenting another detailed PPT Slide set to elaborate on the work breakdown structure for a system integration project. Using intuitively-organized graphics, and well-designed flowcharts, know the details of your project and ensure your team is ready to execute a seamless project. Download this creative combination of work breakdown structure templates now! 

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Template 4: Project Scheduling PowerPoint Template Bundles

An intelligent fusion of Gantt Charts and WBS features marks this creative PPT Template on work distribution. Sequence and schedule work activities with unparalleled efficiency and let your team be an active part of any and all updates. Create weekly planners for activities in your project and allot execution targets to teams . This presentation template is easy to edit. Besides using Google Slides, edit it real-time so the management and the team are on the same page. Our advice: Don’t delay downloading this presentation template.

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Template 5: One-Page Task Status Report Presentation Infographic PPT PDF Document

Do you need a more concise PPT Design to represent your project work breakdown structure? Look no further than this PPT Slide. Identify the core activities i.e. work packages and update their status in terms of the duration, with both the start and the end dates mentioned. This presentation template is a comprehensive checklist that will help you deliver on results. 

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Template 6: Work Breakdown Structure for Church Project Proposal One-Pager Sample Example Document

If the assigned project involves the restoration, renovation of historically significant buildings like a church, then you need to ensure there are no deadline breaches or gaffes in work distribution. With this PPT layout, enlist and estimate the cost of activities such as electrical and plumbing, foundation, excavation etc. Record the portion of each activity with respect to the total project portion with this presentation template. Download now!

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Template 7: Work Breakdown Structure for Project Plan Proposal One Pager Sample Example Document 

To execute a mammoth construction job that requires building a commercial or a residential unit of 100 apartments, a single oversight in planning can cause a loss of millions of dollars. Our content-ready PPT Template addresses this issue as it allows you to enlist your budget estimates and work proportions. Showcase these parameters for activities like electrical and plumbing, setting up of foundation, etc with this PowerPoint Template. Click on download now.

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Template 8: Our Project Team Work Breakdown Structure PPT 

Here is a single-slide layout to allot teams in performing project deliverables. Define the project objective of departments as well. Then use the branching structure as shown in this PPT Design to enlist tasks and sub-tasks. Download this easy to use PPT Layout now!

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Template 9: Addressing Work Breakdown Structure In Agile PPT Slide

If agile project management and execution is assigned to you as the team lead, then get all activities like system engineering, software development, hardware, support services, etc on this presentation template. The branching does not stop there as you can now delve into the components of these broad activities as well. Showcase your ability to break humongous tasks into activities that individuals can do to move towards progress in the project. Get this presentation template now. 

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Template 10: Project Team Work Breakdown Levels Structure PPT Slide

Here is another colorful PPT Layout that divides task-related projects into two primary teams. This presentation template also helps you identify core responsibilities and work packages that each team must deliver. Use this bifurcation to ensure accountability of teams. Take your monitoring to the next level with this PowerPoint Template. Download now!

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These were the 10 practical work breakdown structure templates. We are sure that the right presentation template clicked for you. If you liked what you saw, here is a dashboard of the million more themes, icons, and presentation templates that we offer.

PS: Whether it is an important task at hand, or the routine work, organizations must ensure a safe exchange of information within and outside the enterprise. Develop a robust mechanism for your enterprise security with our 17 best presentation templates as collated in this guide. 

FAQs on Work Breakdown Structure

Where is a work breakdown structure employed?

A work breakdown structure is an essential diagrammatic sketch that underlines project components and resources. It also specifies the estimated budget and timeline for overall project completion. Whether it is software development, any construction activity, or event management, a work breakdown structure simplifies the variables and enlists all players in any project activity. This ensures right coordination is developed and projects are executed within the defined timelines. 

What are the steps involved in creating a work breakdown structure?

A work breakdown structure as the name suggests involves assembling all core elements, referred to as the deliverables. A flowchart structure is the highlight when we attempt this scientific exercise, with the project objective one of the top objectives that branches out into major project deliverables down to the individual or team work packages. In this way, a project manager ensures that no task is left undone and every sub-objective is met, right up to the day of the completion of the project. Believe us, this is a fantastic way to execute projects. 

How many levels make up a work breakdown structure?

A work breakdown structure can have upto 12 levels as seen in a top construction project. A software project, on the other hand, can branch out up to four levels. The more extensive the branching, the more closely the project monitoring happens. This also impacts the resources needed and the manpower required. However, most projects have three levels and the number may increase depending on the complexity of the project under consideration. 

What are the approaches one can take in developing work breakdown structures?

Some approaches used in developing work breakdown structures are:

1. Component approach: Here the components of any project are highlighted and their interconnection and hierarchy developed further. For e.g. manufacturing automobiles, or their components, etc. 
2. Phasing approach: Here is a great method for devising a work breakdown structure in a software development activity. By identifying the phases and the sub-phases, you ensure a smooth process flow.
3. Functional use approach: When a project involves departments with inter-connected responsibilities, a functional approach is best in framing its ideal work breakdown structure. In this method, branching identifies core areas such as sales, marketing, research and development, etc, that have to perform in close coordination to deliver the project objective. 

What is the 100% rule in work breakdown structure?

The 100% rule in work breakdown structure means that it identifies all key deliverables involved in any project activity. After the WBS is final, it is clear to all stakeholders that everything that has significance and relevance for the project has been documented. There is no need to go outside of the WBS now. Therefore, a WBS must encompasess all internal, external, and intermediate deliverables so that every relevant aspect lies within the helicopter view of the team and the manager to execute.

How are Gantt Charts related to WBSs?

Gantt Charts are important tools employed in WBSs. They help assign timeline to work deliverables and bring orderliness in execution. A Gantt Chart will showcase sequencing along the beginning and completion of any work activity that is recorded in a WBS. A WBS, on the other hand, has broader functions as it operates as a spreadsheet and a timeline that lists dependencies and milestones for any project under consideration.

Download the free Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) Templates PDF.