Estimating and Scheduling

CEE 492
Lecture 3
Work Breakdown Structure
(WBS)

Awad S. Hanna, PhD, P.E.

Work Breakdown Structure

(WBS)

A hierarchical system which subdivides larger elements of the

project into smaller elements

The smallest unit of the WBS is the

work package.

Prof Awad S. Hanna

Prof Awad S. Hanna

Work Breakdown Structure

Example
Level

Work Breakdown Structure

Level
Description

1
Warehouse

Total Project

2
Subproject

Administration

Mobilization/
Landscaping
Demobilization

3
Category of
Work

4
Work
Package

Sitework

Footing

Floor
Slab

Excavate
Footings

Form &
Reinforce
Footings

Place
Footings

Labor

Material

Masonry
Wall

Main
Facility

Steel
Columns
& Joints

Roof
System

Interior
Finishes

5
Resources

Equipment

Prof Awad S. Hanna

Example:
Work Breakdown Structure
Alliant has decided to self perform the electrical work for their new warehouse
expansion of 100,000sq.ft, of which 12,500sq.ft is office space. The warehouse space
allows 42.65ft and 53.31ft of clearance to the bottom of the exposed roof structure
above. The project is located 20miles from Alliant office in Madison, Wisconsin. The
site is large with adequate access and plenty of surrounding space for lay down area.
Develop what your team can agree is an appropriate Work Breakdown Structure
(WBS) of approximately 10-20 activities for the entire project. Expand the electrical
work node to show more details of electrical construction activities. Be prepared to
report back to the class of what your WBS is.

Prof. Awad Hanna

Prof. Awad Hanna

Prof. Awad Hanna

Work Breakdown Structure

Manufacturing / Warehouse Expansion

Site
Development

Install
site
drains

Foundation

City
Construct connection
manholes to sanitary
sewer

Superstructure

Shell

Install
water
main

Interior work
and finishes
(office)

Interior work
and finishes
(warehouse /
Manufacturing)

Alteration
of existing
structure

External work
and Site
improvement

Install
sprinkler
fire loop

Secondary Electrical
power
conduit
cable

Pull
wire

Prof. Awad Hanna

Install
light
fixture

Electrical
Test
panel & electrical
fixture
system

Bar Chart for Category of

WBS
Section

No Scale

Networks

Materials and Site Items Site Items Foundations

Subcontractors
(Procurement)
Essential
Complete Site
Site
Intl. Utilities Prep and Utilities
Preparation
and Utilities
Foundation
Foundations Superstructure
and
Superstructure
Exterior
Building
Skin
Roof
Level
Work
Interior
Work and
Finishes

To Subsequent
Construction
Networks

External
Walls

Roof
Construction
Roof Level
Works
Interior
Finishes

Alteration
Work
External
Works / Site
Improvements

Completion

Alterations
External Works
1st Stage
Prof. Awad Hanna

External Works Last stage

9

Step 3: Develop Activity List

Mobilize
Under slab work
Install switch gear and substations
Secondary power cable and supports
Branch conduit for office
Primary conduit
Pull wires for office
Branch conduit
Wall sockets and light fixtures for office
Panels and boxes for office
Pull wire
Road lighting
Wall sockets and light fixtures
Panels and boxes
Test electric for office
Test electrical
Install and test vending equipment for office
Test and activate power
Install and test vending equipment
Punch list
Prof. Awad Hanna

10

Work Breakdown Structure

(Cont.)

The scope of work in each work package

should be defined to avoid overlaps and
omissions between work packages.

Work packages should be defined in terms

of design, construction methods, and
completion requirements, with associated
performance dates.

Prof Awad S. Hanna

11

Scope of Work Packages

Each work packages should be:
1. Manageable

Specific authority and responsibility can be

assigned

2. Independent

With minimum interfacing or dependence on

other elements

3. Measurable

In terms of progress

4. Integrable

Prof Awad S. Hanna

12

The Project Cost System

Objectives of Establishing Project Cost System
1. Keep the construction costs of the project within
the established budget.
2. Develop labor and equipment productivity
information for estimating the cost of future work.

Prof Awad S. Hanna

13

Cost Code
Project
Number

Area
Code

Distribution
Code
Work Type Code

0908BN 05 03157.20
3
Cost Code for stripping concrete
formwork for bridge deck (Labor)

Prof Awad S. Hanna

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Project Number

0908BN 05 03157.20
3Eighth project in 2009 (Bridge)

N = Negotiated

Prof Awad S. Hanna

15

Area Code

0908BN 05 03157.20
3Geographic location

OR

Associate field cost with specific

supervisor or management

Prof Awad S. Hanna

16

Work Type Code

0908BN 05 03157.20
03
Concrete
3
0315

Concrete Formwork

03157

Wood Concrete Formwork

03157.20

Wood Concrete Formwork for Deck

03157.30

Wood Concrete Formwork for Abutment

Prof Awad S. Hanna

17

Distribution Code

0908BN 05 03157.20
31. Total
2. Material
3. Labor
4. Equipment
5. Sub-Contract

Prof Awad S. Hanna

18

Cost Code and Cost Control

All items of expense are charged to the

project where they are incurred.

"General" or "miscellaneous cost

accounts should not be used, it is poor
practice, and should be avoided.

For the cost code to serve its basic

purpose, it must be understood and
used consistently by all company
personnel.

Prof Awad S. Hanna

19

Cost Accounting Reports

Cost report intervals are a function of the

project size, nature of the work, and the
type of contract involved.

There must be a balance between the

cost of generating the reports and the
value of the management information
received.

Prof Awad S. Hanna

20

Cost Codes

The most widely used cost codes are

Masterformat, CSI (Construction Specifications

Institute)

Uniformat, UCI (Uniform Construction Index).

Masterformat is widely used by software

packages and government agencies.

Prof Awad S. Hanna

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Cost Codes (Cont.)

Masterformat

Has 16/50 divisions

Divisions were developed according to trades

Uniformat

Has 12 divisions
Tends to follow the progress of construction

Prof Awad S. Hanna

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15 Mechanical
16 Electrical

Prof Awad S. Hanna

124 Of-SiteWork

123 SiteUtilities

122 SiteImprovements

121SitePreparation

113 Special construction

112 Furnishings

111fxed &Movable Equip.

093 Spec. Electrical Syst.

092 Lighting&Power

091Services &Distribution

084 Spec. Mechanical Syst.

083 FireProtection

082 H.V.A.C.

081Plumbing

063 Specialties

062 Interior Finishes

061Partitions

042 Ext. Doors &Windows

041Exterior Walls

033 Stair Construction

032 Roof Construction

031Floor Construction

023 Basement Wall

022 Basement Excavation

021SlabonGrade

012 Spec. FoundationCond.

011Standard Foundations

Level 3

Level 2

12 SiteWork

11Equipment

10 Gen. Cond. OH &P

09 Electrical

08 Mechanical

07ConveyingSys.

06 Int. Closure

05 Roofng

04 Ext. Closure

03 Superstructure

02 Substructure

01Foundation

Design Uniformat

Relationship Between UNIFORMAT &

MASTERFORMAT

01General Requirments

02 Site work

03 Concrete

04 Masonry

05 Metals

06 Wood & Plastic

07 Therm. & Moisture Protect.

08 Doors & Windows

09 Finishes

10 Specialities

11Equipment

12 Furnishings

13 Special Construction

14 Conveying Systems

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