Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) & Dictionary

Purpose

The combined WBS & Dictionary Template provides a single, authoritative format for defining and describing the scope of Memorres projects. It ensures lean project teams (1–3 members) can both decompose the project into a hierarchical WBS and document the details of each work package in one place.

The WBS shows how project scope is structured into deliverables and work packages, while the Dictionary provides detailed descriptions, deliverables, acceptance criteria, dependencies, assumptions, ownership, and status. By merging these two into one template, lean PM teams reduce duplication, improve clarity, and maintain a single source of truth for planning, estimation, and resource allocation.

This template prevents scope gaps, overlaps, or misinterpretations. It creates traceability from requirements to deliverables, supports accountability through ownership assignments, and provides auditable evidence of scope baseline approval. Once approved, the WBS & Dictionary must be archived in MIC and serve as the foundation for estimation, scheduling, and monitoring.

Scope

This template applies to all projects managed by the Memorres Project Management Department and is mandatory during the Planning phase after scope approval. It must be completed before estimates, resource plans, and baseline schedules are created.

The scope of this template includes:

  • Structuring project scope into hierarchical levels (WBS).
  • Documenting detailed dictionary entries for each work package.
  • Recording ownership, acceptance criteria, dependencies, and assumptions.
  • Capturing approvals for the scope baseline.

It excludes detailed engineering task lists or technical design specifications, which belong to delivery teams. The Project Manager owns this template, stakeholders provide validation of specific work packages, and the Sponsor/PMO approve the final baseline.

Main Section

Table 1: Header Fields

FieldDescriptionExample
Project TitleName of the project“Client Portal Modernization”
WBS VersionVersion numberv1.0
Prepared ByProject Manager[PM Name]
DateDate of preparation18-Sep-2025
Approved BySponsor/PMO[Sponsor Name]
Approval DateDate of approval20-Sep-2025

Table 2: WBS & Dictionary Register

WBS IDLevelParent IDTitleDescriptionDeliverablesAcceptance CriteriaDependenciesAssumptionsOwnerStatusExample
1.01Client Portal ModernizationEntire project scopeApproved portalSponsor acceptanceNoneScope approvedProject ManagerApprovedOverall program
1.121.0Requirements BaselineCapture and validate requirementsRequirements Spec v1.0Signed-off by stakeholdersDepends on SME availabilityAssumes SME time providedPMApprovedReq Spec signed 12-Sep-2025
1.221.0Portal RedesignRedesign user interfaceApproved UI mockupsSponsor sign-offDepends on requirements baselineAssumes design tools availableDesign LeadIn ProgressWireframes in review
1.2.131.2UI WireframesDevelop module-level wireframesDraft wireframesStakeholder approvalRequires validated requirementsAssumes timely SME reviewDesign LeadIn ProgressWireframes submitted 17-Sep-2025
1.2.231.2Final UI DesignDeliver high-fidelity mockupsFinal mockupsSponsor sign-offDepends on wireframesAssumes no major scope changeDesign LeadNot StartedPlanned for Oct 2025
1.321.0User TrainingDevelop training materialsTraining docs & guidesSME validationDepends on portal completionAssumes SME feedbackTraining CoordinatorNot StartedPlanned for Q4 2025

Table 3: Approval Record

ApproverRoleSignature/DateExample
[Sponsor Name]Project Sponsor[Signed 20-Sep-2025]CIO sign-off
[PM Name]Project Manager[Signed 18-Sep-2025]PM signature

Closing Note & Cross-References

The WBS & Dictionary Template ensures that project scope is both structured and described in a single document, reducing complexity for lean teams. By combining hierarchical breakdown with detailed descriptions, it provides the baseline for estimation, scheduling, resource allocation, and monitoring. Once signed-off, this register must be stored in MIC as the official scope baseline.