In accordance with the PMBOKGuide and the Practice Standard for Work Breakdown Structures, the Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) is the specific term used to describe the hierarchical decomposition of the total scope of work to be carried out by the project team.
* Deliverable-Oriented: The WBS is organized around the " deliverables " or " outcomes " of the project rather than the individual actions. Each level of the WBS provides a more detailed definition of the project ' s physical or functional components.
* Hierarchical Decomposition: This involves breaking down the project into smaller, more manageable components. The top level represents the entire project, while the lowest level is known as the Work Package, which is the point at which cost and duration can be reliably estimated and managed.
* The 100% Rule: A key principle of the WBS is that it includes 100% of the work defined by the project scope and captures all deliverables-internal, external, and interim.
* Comparison with Other Options:
* WBS Directory (A): This is likely a distractor term. The correct related document is the WBS Dictionary, which provides detailed narrative descriptions of the work for each WBS element.
* Activity List (B): This is a list of the specific actions or tasks required to complete the work packages. It is an output of the Define Activities process and is task-oriented, not deliverable- oriented.
* Project Schedule (D): This is a model that presents linked activities with planned dates, durations, milestones, and resources. It is derived from the WBS but is not the decomposition itself.