Description

Participants practice using the work breakdown structure WBS project management tool. They break down a project into smaller components so they don’t overlook any tasks. This decomposition activity displays the hierarchy of tasks. Also, it comes with a certain level of detail. This helps them determine the proper approach to efficiency and the resources involved.

Flow

Introduction

• Introduce the activity to the participants and split them into teams.
• Encourage the teams to nominate a team coordinator. They will facilitate the discussion in the breakout room. In the end, they will present the outcome to the other teams. The team coordinators can rely on the ideas written within the predefined template.
• Join each team and provide the activity link

Work

• Participants brainstorm and write down on sticky notes the main components of a certain project of their choosing. Then they list all the tasks related to them. They use the predefined layout to show the hierarchy of the tasks they come up with.
• Then they discuss rearranging the tasks or moving them along the board, from one main component to another.

Debrief (suggested)

• The team coordinator from each team will present the outcome to the other teams.
• The facilitator may ask the following questions:
  • Was it difficult to break down into smaller components? What helped you?
  • Was there anything that caught your attention during this practical activity?
  • How helpful do you think this tool will be in your activity?

Variations

n/a

Additional info

This activity follows activity type guide from CARTA

Play in Colltrain

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