• Version
• 521 Downloads
• 206.92 KB File Size
• 1 File Count
• May 19, 2016 Create Date
• May 19, 2016 Last Updated

NASA Work Breakdown Structure Reference Guide

About This Reference Guide
The work breakdown structure (WB S) is an effective tool in managing NASA programs
and projects. It assists both NASA and contractors in fulfilling management
responsibilities. In accordance with NASA Handbook 7120.5, Management of Major
System Programs and Projects, a WBS is mandatory for major system acquisitions and
major projects, and will be used for other projects when practical. A WBS is required
when performance measurement is applied to a contract.
The purpose of this WBS reference guide is to support the completion of program and
project objectives within budget and schedule constraints. This reference guide can be
used for various work efforts including research, development, construction, test and
evaluation, and operations. The products of these work efforts may be hardware,
software, data, or service elements (alone or in combination).
Definition
Each NASA program has a set of goals which are developed from NASA mission needs.
These program goals are expanded into specific project objectives. The function of
management is to plan and direct project activities to achieve the program goals.
The purpose of a work breakdown structure (WBS) is to divide the program/project into
manageable pieces of work to facilitate planning and control of cost, schedule and
technical content. A WBS is written early in program/project development. It identifies
the total work to be performed and divides the work into manageable elements, with
increasing levels of detail.
The following example displays a portion of a WBS for a commercial aircraft project.
A WBS is developed by first identifying the system or project end item to be structured,
and then successively subdividing it into increasingly detailed and manageable subsidiary
work products or elements. Most of these elements are the direct result of work (e.g.,
assemblies, subassemblies, and components), while others are simply the aggregation of
selected products into logical sets (e.g., buildings and utilities) for management control
purposes. In either case, the subsidiary work product has its own set of goals and
objectives which must be met in order for the project objectives to be met. Detailed tasks
which must be performed to satisfy the subsidiary work product goals and objectives are
then identified and defined for each work product or element on which work will be
performed.