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Subject: Seeking confirmation on WBS levels
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Author Messages
arlkey

Posts:1

05/27/2009 9:18 PM  
EVMO telling projects with completed WBS's that they now have to re-work WBS so that all work packages are at the same level (e.g., even if a single work package ends at level 3, it must be brought down to level 5 to match other work packages at that level). Is this a "software feature" or common practice? We are being told that we will need to maintain a shadow WBS for the client to avoid confusion.

All expert guidance on WBS development that I have had did not present any requirement that all work packages must be at the same level for appropriate entry into the EV system.

I'm looking for a response from someone experienced with implementation -- Deltek or not -- to understand this requirement.
tb

Posts:4

05/28/2009 5:49 AM  
There is nothing in ANSI that says you have to keep everything at the same level and i can't think of anything in winsight that would require you to maintain everything at the same level.  bottom line is, the software should support the best practice and it's not best practice to create "filler" levels in your wbs just so you can have everything at the same level.  Some areas of your project are going to be more complex/riskier so you'll need to detail plan at a lower level.  Not sure excatly what an EVMO is vs a PMO, but i would ask for further explaination of why you need to do this.  if it's a reporting capability they need, there are other ways to address that without adding bogus elements to the WBS.
Eleanor Haupt

Posts:26

06/02/2009 8:31 AM  

Agree with previous comment.  I have never heard of anyone trying to require this.  Ask them to show you the source for their requirement, e.g., where is the ANSI reference?

I found the following in MIL-HDBK-881, Work Breakdown Structures:

3.1.4  Control Account Level. To provide the responsible contract manager with technical, schedule, and other needed resource information, the management control system must be keyed to the same WBS element and organizational unit. The WBS level at which the management control system is established is primarily a function of the magnitude of the program and the type of product required by the contract.  The responsible organizational level is a function of the company’s management span of control and upper management's desire to delegate the responsibility for WBS elements to lower management levels.  In identifying control accounts, the contractor is expected to establish organizational responsibilities at meaningful and appropriate levels. Otherwise, the contractor's existing management control systems and responsibility assignments may be affected adversely.
...

The guidance has always been to allow the contractor to establish the CA level at the most meaningful point for management.

Let me also add by definition, every work package within a single control account will be at the same level.  It all depends on where the control account level is established.  I'd also like to add that the control account should be established at the lowest level of the WBS, since there is a requirement that the control account be established for a single WBS element and only one element.  You can have work packages below the control account level with unique identifiers, but the "official" WBS numbering ends at the control account level.

Don't understand their requirement to "rework" completed effort.  Seems contrary to the ANSI requirement to control retroactive changes.  You can map to alternate WBS structures in wInsight, but I would challenge this requirement.

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Forums > EVMS Forums > wInsight User Forum > Seeking confirmation on WBS levels



 
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