Breakdown Structures
There are a number of ways to represent the work and the work products. PRINCE2™ identifies the need for a Product Breakdown structure; The Project Management Institute and the Software Engineering Institute identify the need for a Work Breakdown Structure. The following are some of the types of breakdown structures that can be used:
See example Product Breakdown Structures
Product Breakdown Structure
An outcome, result, or deliverable view of the items to be created or acquired. This type of chart provides a clear focus on the completion of products.
The PRINCE2™ Manual provides some examples for producing Product Breakdown Structures.
(This web site provides examples using the Product Breakdown Structure where the diagram identifies products (or work products) that represent Outcomes, Results, or Deliverables.)
Work Breakdown Structure
A work breakdown structure may represent the outcomes, result or deliverable view or other views, such as, Stages, Phases, or Tasks (ie the work to do) or a combination of both.
A Product Breakdown Structure is a type of Work Breakdown Structure that focuses only on outcomes, results, or deliverables.
Organisation Breakdown Structure
An Organisation Breakdown Structure identifies the team structure for carrying out the work. This is typically shown as an Organisation Chart.
(This web site will represent Teams using the Organisation Breakdown Structure similar to an Organisation Chart.)
The Project Management Institute PMBOK® Guide provides examples of many of the types of breakdown structures.
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