Section 3 of 10

WBS (Work Breakdown Structure)

The WBS hierarchy, the account assignment, billing and planning indicators, and how to design a structure that stays usable.

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The work breakdown structure decomposes a project hierarchically. It is the skeleton of cost management in PS.

The hierarchy

A construction project
Level 1: Second plant construction
  Level 2: Groundworks and foundations
    Level 3: Site preparation
    Level 3: Foundation concrete
  Level 2: Building construction
    Level 3: Steelwork
    Level 3: Cladding and interiors
  Level 2: Equipment installation
    Level 3: Production line
    Level 3: Utilities and piping

Cost posts to lower elements and rolls up automatically, so any level of the hierarchy can be reported on.

The three indicators

WBS element operative indicators
IndicatorMeaningEffect
Account assignment elementCan receive cost directlyUsable on purchase orders and postings
Billing elementCan receive revenueSales orders and billing can be assigned
Planning elementCan hold planned costPlan values can be entered
A common design
LevelIndicatorsRole
TopBilling, planningReceives revenue and holds the overall plan
MiddlePlanningAggregation and planning
BottomAccount assignmentReceives actual cost

Changing the structure

๐Ÿ“– Unfamiliar term? Look it up in the SAP glossary.

Check your understanding

Test what you just read.

Quiz 1

What does WBS stand for?

Quiz 2

WBS elements serve as the basic unit for cost, budget, and schedule management.

Quiz 3

Which attribute must a WBS element have to receive actual costs?

Quiz 4

The WBS element tree structure is limited to a maximum of 10 levels.

Quiz 5

What is the benefit of the WBS element hierarchy?

Quiz 6

Arrange the typical WBS hierarchy from top to bottom.

Click items in the correct order