Not sure if it was a feature in 2k2, but in 2k3 you can export the outline from MS Project into Visio using a WBS Chart Wizard.
If the current master schedule was constructed using sound planning principles, then the outline should map directly to your WBS. This is because each heading and sub-heading will be associated with a WBS element.
Differentiating between tasks and WBS elements in MS Project should be a fairly straightforward exercise if the schedule is resource loaded. As a rule of thumb the schedule tasks will have resource assignments against them, the WBS elements won’t.
If the schedule isn’t resource loaded then hopefully the descriptions in the Name field will help you determine if they are WBS elements or tasks. As an example, ‘Pour Concrete’ lends itself to being a task description whereas ‘Foundations’ could be a WBS element.
The WBS should also be focused on the scope of project delivery rather than detailing the tasks the have to be completed to produce each deliverable.
Regards,
Darren
Member for
22 years 9 months
Member for22 years9 months
Submitted by Alexandre Faul… on Mon, 2008-10-06 15:50
what MS Project names WBS has nothing to do with P3 or PM5/6 WBS, it is rather a hierarchical numbering of the tasks
basically, you create the MS WBS by indenting subordinate tasks below the summary tasksn not by entering a code like in P3
MS Project gives a hierarchical number to the tasks, that you can display in Tools, Options, View, Display the ... at the bottom left of the dialog box
It is also possible to customize the WBS in Project, "Mode Plan" (I am using the french release of MSP, I dont remember the real name in english), then you will create a WBS coding about the same way that you know in P3; the difference is: the codes will be applied automatically to the tasks, you don not have to do it manually like in P3.
Good luck,
Alexandre
Member for
19 years 11 months
Member for19 years11 months
Submitted by Trevor Rabey on Mon, 2008-10-06 13:44
if the plan has headings and sub-headings and you can roll them up and expand various levels etc, then that arrangement of headings, sub-headings and Tasks is the WBS.
Also, the WBS field shows the same hierachy experessed in numbers, eg 1.1.1 etc.
Member for
23 years 1 month
Member for23 years1 month
Submitted by Steve Craine on Mon, 2008-10-06 10:42
Member for
17 years 8 monthsRE: WBS from project plan
Hi Emmanuel
Not sure if it was a feature in 2k2, but in 2k3 you can export the outline from MS Project into Visio using a WBS Chart Wizard.
If the current master schedule was constructed using sound planning principles, then the outline should map directly to your WBS. This is because each heading and sub-heading will be associated with a WBS element.
Differentiating between tasks and WBS elements in MS Project should be a fairly straightforward exercise if the schedule is resource loaded. As a rule of thumb the schedule tasks will have resource assignments against them, the WBS elements won’t.
If the schedule isn’t resource loaded then hopefully the descriptions in the Name field will help you determine if they are WBS elements or tasks. As an example, ‘Pour Concrete’ lends itself to being a task description whereas ‘Foundations’ could be a WBS element.
The WBS should also be focused on the scope of project delivery rather than detailing the tasks the have to be completed to produce each deliverable.
Regards,
Darren
Member for
22 years 9 monthsRE: WBS from project plan
EV,
what MS Project names WBS has nothing to do with P3 or PM5/6 WBS, it is rather a hierarchical numbering of the tasks
basically, you create the MS WBS by indenting subordinate tasks below the summary tasksn not by entering a code like in P3
MS Project gives a hierarchical number to the tasks, that you can display in Tools, Options, View, Display the ... at the bottom left of the dialog box
It is also possible to customize the WBS in Project, "Mode Plan" (I am using the french release of MSP, I dont remember the real name in english), then you will create a WBS coding about the same way that you know in P3; the difference is: the codes will be applied automatically to the tasks, you don not have to do it manually like in P3.
Good luck,
Alexandre
Member for
19 years 11 monthsRE: WBS from project plan
Not sure I understand your question.
if the plan has headings and sub-headings and you can roll them up and expand various levels etc, then that arrangement of headings, sub-headings and Tasks is the WBS.
Also, the WBS field shows the same hierachy experessed in numbers, eg 1.1.1 etc.
Member for
23 years 1 monthRE: WBS from project plan
Hi EV
Easyest way is insert a colum from the drop down list and find WBS on the list this should give you a good starting
place
Steve