Structure Tasks / Work Breakdown Structure

Information

• In PLANTA project, work breakdown structure means a project plan in which tasks are structured hierarchically. Not to be confused with the project structure, which describes the division of a project into main and subprojects. This means that every project in PLANTA possesses its own work breakdown structure, regardless of whether it is a main or subproject.

• The parent tasks of a structured project plan are called summary tasks in PLANTA project.
• The Work break down structure code (WBS code) identifies individual project tasks in accordance with their hierarchical structure.

Where can I structure tasks?

In the Schedule and WBS modules of the required project The work breakdown structure is displayed graphically in the WBS module and in table form in the Schedule module.

Open the project by

• opening a dialog window via the Extras → Go to menu or via CTRL+G and entering the ID of the required project or

• by clicking on the link on the ID of the required project in any module.

Who is allowed to structure tasks?

All users who have access to the Schedule and WBS modules and have modification rights for projects. These are, in PLANTA standard, managers of the respective project, their deputies, or multi-project managers. For further information on rights, please click here.

Create a Work Breakdown Structure in the Schedule Module

Procedure

• Open the Schedule module by clicking on the tab of the same name in the Project panel.

• If it is a new project, you will have to create tasks. They are initially arranged on one level here.

Structure the tasks hierarchically as required by moving them to the desired position by pressing SHIFT + holding down the left mouse button.

• Select the Generate WBS code command from the context menu by right-clicking on the project header or by clicking on the Generate WBS code button (on the left-hand side below the project bar).

  • The WBS code is generated automatically for every task in the WBS code field in accordance with the structure. Thus the WBS code is both a marker for individual elements in the work breakdown structure and an indicator of the hierarchical structure.

• Start the calculation of the schedule by clicking on the Calculate schedule button in the toolbar.

  • As a result, all parent tasks in the work breakdown structure are marked bold and are therefore visualized as summary tasks.

  • If the structure has been changed since the last update, the WBS codes are updated as well during the calculation of the schedule.

If you have created your project by copying standard schedules, the tasks will already be structured. Of course this structure can be changed as described above.

Create a work breakdown structure in the WBS Module

Procedure

• Open the WBS module by clicking on the tab of the same name in the Project panel.

• Create the required tasks. They are initially arranged on one level here.

• Structure tasks hierarchically as desired by left-clicking on the left box margin and dragging the box to the required position.

  • When the boxes are moved, the specification in the node field, which visualizes the number of boxes per level, will be updated automatically.

• Click on the Generate WBS code in the project bar.

  • The WBS code is generated automatically for every task in the WBS code field in accordance with the structure. Thus the WBS code is both a marker for individual elements in the work breakdown structure and an indicator of the hierarchical structure.

If you have created your project by copying standard schedules, the tasks will already be structured. Of course, the structure can be changed.

For further information on structuring, see Schedule and WBS