Project Management Plan Template
This Project Work Breakdown Structure Dictionary Template is free to copy and use. Please feel
free to provide comments and feedback to help improve this template for future users. This
template is to be distributed only through the PM Documents web site
(http://www.pmdocuments.com)
Work Breakdown Structure (WBS)
Dictionary
[Project Name]
Date
[Company Name]
Address
City, State Zip
Contents
1.
Project Description............................................................................................................................ 3
2.
Purpose of the WBS Dictionary ......................................................................................................... 3
3.
Key Terms.......................................................................................................................................... 3
4.
High Level Project WBS ..................................................................................................................... 3
5.
Section 1.0 – Planning Components ................................................................................................. 4
6.
Authorization .................................................................................................................................... 6
Note: Select all (ctrl + A) and hit the "F9" key to update all document references and the table of
contents
Project Work Breakdown Structure Dictionary Template
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1. Project Description
Explain what the project is, and how it will be accomplished. Explain the ultimate intended outcome of
the project. This should serve as a brief introduction. Provide some background about the history of how
the project got to this point.
Note: Pull some of the Project Description information from the Project Charter or Preliminary
Project Scope Statement if available.
2. Purpose of the WBS Dictionary
Explain the importance of the WBS Dictionary and why it was developed. Explain how it is to be used
and maintained.
3. Key Terms
Explain key WBS terms that are important to understand:





Level of Effort: The amount of work required to complete a task or activity.
WBS Number: A unique identifier assigned to each element in a Work Breakdown
Structure for the purpose of designating the elements hierarchical location within the
WBS.
Work Package: A Work Package is a deliverable or work component at the lowest level
of its WBS branch.
WBS Component: A component of a WBS which is located at any level. It can be a
Work Package or a WBS Element as there's no restriction on what a WBS Component is.
WBS Element: A WBS Element is a single WBS component and its associated attributes
located anywhere within a WBS. A WBS Element can contain work, or it can contain
other WBS Elements or Work Packages.
4. High Level Project WBS
It’s a good idea to show the high level WBS, preferably in graphical format, although, it can be done in a
table format as well. There is no need to show every WBS component down to the work package. Use
your best judgment. In large project, the high level WBS is shown down to no lower than level 3. Then
individual sections are developed for each of the main level 2 or level 3 sections.
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Project Work Breakdown Structure Dictionary Template
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Develop
Shopping Web
Site
1.0 Planning
2.0
Implementation
3.0 Deployment
1.1 Plan
Requirements
2.1 Implement
1.2 Plan Design
2.2 Test
3.1 Deploy
The provided WBS example is organized by phase, but it can just as easily be prepared by product
module, component or even by organizational structure. It really depends on the project, your
preference and the structure of the team and their preference.
The WBS graphic sample was created using Microsoft Visio. However, there are a multitude of tools
available to create a graphical depiction of the high level WBS. Alternatively, the high level WBS can be
displayed in outline format as follows:
WBS Num.
1.0
1.1
Name
Planning
Plan Requirements
1.2
Plan Design
2.0
2.1
…
Implementation
Implement
Description
The Planning activities container for the project
Contains all the work packages and activities for
requirements identification, review, approval, baseline
and maintenance
Contains all the work packages and activities for planning
the web site design based on the identified requirements
And so on…
And so on…
5. Section 1.0 – Planning Components
Provide a few sentences about what the Planning section of the WBS is all about here.
For each WBS element, provide the information collected during the WBS exercise. This information
generally comes from the information collected in the WBS workshop on the WBS Dictionary Cards.
Use your best judgment on what level of detail is appropriate to capture for your project. (You can find a
WBS Dictionary Card at http://www.pmdocuments.com)
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Project Work Breakdown Structure Dictionary Template
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*WBS Author:
Jane Smith
*WBS Number:
1.0
*WBS Name:
Planning
WBS Predecessor(s): N/A
Which WBS components must
finish before this starts
WBS LOE: 10 FTEs for 3
months
WBS Description:
Document the description of this component in a few sentences here
Must Start:
A must start date
Must Finish:
A must finish date
Assumptions and Constraints:
Identify any assumptions or constraints that could help
project/scheduling
*WBS Number:
1.1
*WBS Name:
Plan Requirements
WBS Predecessor(s): N/A
Which WBS components must
finish before this starts
WBS LOE: 10 FTEs for 3
months
WBS Description:
Document the description of this component in a few sentences here
*WBS Author:
Jane Smith
Must Start:
A must start date
Must Finish:
A must finish date
Assumptions and Constraints:
Identify any assumptions or constraints that could help
project/scheduling
*WBS Number:
1.2
*WBS Name:
Plan Design
WBS Predecessor(s): N/A
Which WBS components must
finish before this starts
WBS LOE: 10 FTEs for 3
months
WBS Description:
Document the description of this component in a few sentences here
*WBS Author:
Jane Smith
Must Start:
A must start date
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Project Work Breakdown Structure Dictionary Template
Must Finish:
A must finish date
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Assumptions and Constraints:
Identify any assumptions or constraints that could help
project/scheduling
Note: Repeat this section for each level 2 section of the WBS.
6. Authorization
If approval is required, provide the names of those business sponsors that must sign the Project
Management Plan.
Approved by the Project Sponsor:
__________________________________________
[Project Sponsor]
Date: ___________________
[Project Sponsor Title], [Project Sponsor Organization or Division]
Note: Add other signatories as needed
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