Decomposition
“Decomposition” is a tool/technique for the process “Create WBS”.
Decomposition is a technique used for dividing and subdividing the project scope and project deliverables into smaller, more manageable parts. The work package is the work defined at the lowest level of the WBS for which cost and duration can be estimated and managed. The level of decomposition is often guided by the degree of control needed to effectively manage the project. The level of detail for work packages will vary with the size and complexity of the project. Decomposition of the total project work into work packages generally involves the
following activities:
– Identifying and analyzing the deliverables and related work;
– Structuring and organizing the WBS;
– Decomposing the upper WBS levels into lower-level detailed components;
– Developing and assigning identification codes to the WBS components; and – Verifying that the degree of decomposition of the deliverables is appropriate.
A portion of a WBS with some branches of the WBS decomposed down through the work package level is shown in Figure 5-11.
“Decomposition” is a tool/technique for the process “Define Activities”.
Decomposition is a technique used for dividing and subdividing the project scope and project deliverables into smaller, more manageable parts. Activities represent the effort needed to complete a work package. The Define Activities process defines the final outputs as activities rather than deliverables, as done in the Create WBS process The activity list, WBS, and WBS dictionary can be developed either sequentially or concurrently, with the WBS and WBS dictionary as the basis for development of the final activity list. Each work package within the WBS is decomposed into the activities required to produce the work package deliverables. Involving team members in the decomposition can lead to better and more accurate results.
This definition was found in the PMBOK V5
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