Work breakdown structure template

Break down big, overwhelming tasks into bite-sized pieces with a work breakdown structure template, making everything more manageable and ensuring all necessary tasks are accounted for in a project.

Use free work breakdown structure template

best for

Project management

Operations

key features

Task planning

Prioritization

Pipeline management

What is a work breakdown structure template?

A hierarchical structure

A work breakdown structure template uses a hierarchical structure to simplify projects, which are referred to as Epics in Jira. Epics, stories, and initiatives make resource planning, task management, and estimating time within each project phase much easier.

Clear roadmap

The work breakdown structure template provides a clear roadmap of all tasks and subtasks necessary to achieve the project objectives. It also assists teams in understanding the true project scope to facilitate more accurate scheduling and budgeting.

What does a work breakdown structure template include?

Roadmap

A WBS template dissects a project into individual components and provides a clear hierarchy of project tasks and time allocations. It can include everything from broad objectives to minute details. With this roadmap, project managers can anticipate bottlenecks and allocate resources efficiently so every team member knows their role and deadline.

Workflows

Workflows are tightly integrated with tools like Jira in a work breakdown structure template. The workflow outlines the sequence of tasks, each visible in the WBS.

For simple processes, each workflow step matches a status in the WBS. In complex workflows, multiple steps are grouped into one status to maintain clarity.

Jira templates provide various options to align with your WBS, ensuring real-time updates and continuous feedback. This integration fosters collaboration and reduces redundancies.

Backlog

The backlog view allows teams to update statuses in real time to track progress effectively. This continuous feedback loop keeps everyone aware of any changes so they can make informed decisions promptly without losing momentum.

Kanban board

The work breakdown structure template fosters team synergy. It offers a central hub for collaboration with the Kanban board view. Kanban boards keeps all team members on the same page, eliminating silos and redundancies.

Board view of a kanban project in Jira Software

Featured products:

Work Breakdown Structure app

The Work Breakdown Structure app pairs a dynamic template with Jira integration to streamline collaborative project planning. Users can dive into project planning with ease, using pre-configured templates that provide a solid starting point. The app’s real-time capabilities mean that as one team member makes an update or adjustment, everyone sees it instantly. This fosters a truly collaborative environment.

Jira Software

Jira Software is a comprehensive work management solution for planning, collaborating, and delivering projects effectively from a single platform. JSW stands out for its robust set of features tailored to Agile project management, including Scrum and Kanban boards that provide teams with a visual representation of their workflow. With its extensive reporting and analytics capabilities, teams can leverage various charts and graphs to measure efficiency and identify areas for improvement.