Work Breakdown Structure (WBS)

A work breakdown structure (abbreviated as “WBS”) is a visual presentation used to organize the scope of work for a project by grouping deliverables and other elements of a contract based on the level of detail required for fulfilling each aspect. Levels of detail for certain project elements are classified in a hierarchy, with more complicated aspects of the contract receiving additional levels of description. A WBS is commonly used in project management, particularly for projects which have a complicated set of requirements, obligations, or deliverables to define during the request for proposal (RFP) solicitation process with suppliers.