Participants:
2-10
11-25
25+
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Work breakdown structure template

Simplify your big tasks

Courtesy of our friends at

Use this template to visualize your project and break it down into smaller tasks and deliverables so that you can complete your project efficiently and effectively.

A work breakdown structure (WBS) is a hierarchical structure that outlines the project scope and breaks down the work into smaller, more manageable components. It organizes and defines the project deliverables, individual tasks and sub-tasks, and project needs, providing a visual and structural framework for understanding the project's work elements.

The work breakdown structure template helps you:

  • Center everything on your project’s north star
  • Organize complex projects into a series of smaller tasks and workflows
  • Visualize your whole project across every phase
  • Define a clear hierarchy of manageable tasks to be accomplished

How to use the work breakdown structure (WBS) template

To use the Mural work breakdown structure template with your team, follow the steps outlined below.

1. Define the project scope

The first step in using the work breakdown structure template is to define the scope of work for your overall project. What departments, teams, and people will be involved? What are the main areas of focus? Include any relevant dates here to guide the project schedule.

2. Write down the different phases of your project

Use the second section of the template to map out the different phases of development, including any project tasks relevant to those phases below (e.g., if you have a ‘Planning’ phase, you may want to have tasks below like ‘Cost/benefit analysis’).

3. Add work packages associated with each project phase

What are the project processes and jobs to be done for each phase? Include the tasks specific to each work package that will ladder up to the overall goals of the phase.

4. Write down the activities tied to each work package

Here, the Mural breaks it down into tasks and subtasks — for example, if you have an activity tied to deploying a product, you may have subtasks that should be included, such as ‘Create environments,’ or ‘Build apps.’

Be sure to include the project needs associated with each work package. This will ensure you have the necessary resources for each project phase.

Tips for running a work breakdown workshop

To get the most out of your work breakdown structure session, you should:

  • Have a clear picture of the scope of your project and stakeholders mapped out, so that you can engage the right project team members and avoid any blind spots
  • Use Mural features like commenting or tags for sticky notes to add further context to tasks, or assign tasks to specific stakeholders within the mural
  • Track your progress as your project evolves — your mural is a living document that should reflect the state of your project as you move through each phase, helping all stakeholders instantly grasp progress

How to create a Work breakdown structure template

Work breakdown structure template

Get started with this template right now.

Courtesy of our friends at

Use this template to visualize your project and break it down into smaller tasks and deliverables so that you can complete your project efficiently and effectively.

A work breakdown structure (WBS) is a hierarchical structure that outlines the project scope and breaks down the work into smaller, more manageable components. It organizes and defines the project deliverables, individual tasks and sub-tasks, and project needs, providing a visual and structural framework for understanding the project's work elements.

The work breakdown structure template helps you:

  • Center everything on your project’s north star
  • Organize complex projects into a series of smaller tasks and workflows
  • Visualize your whole project across every phase
  • Define a clear hierarchy of manageable tasks to be accomplished

How to use the work breakdown structure (WBS) template

To use the Mural work breakdown structure template with your team, follow the steps outlined below.

1. Define the project scope

The first step in using the work breakdown structure template is to define the scope of work for your overall project. What departments, teams, and people will be involved? What are the main areas of focus? Include any relevant dates here to guide the project schedule.

2. Write down the different phases of your project

Use the second section of the template to map out the different phases of development, including any project tasks relevant to those phases below (e.g., if you have a ‘Planning’ phase, you may want to have tasks below like ‘Cost/benefit analysis’).

3. Add work packages associated with each project phase

What are the project processes and jobs to be done for each phase? Include the tasks specific to each work package that will ladder up to the overall goals of the phase.

4. Write down the activities tied to each work package

Here, the Mural breaks it down into tasks and subtasks — for example, if you have an activity tied to deploying a product, you may have subtasks that should be included, such as ‘Create environments,’ or ‘Build apps.’

Be sure to include the project needs associated with each work package. This will ensure you have the necessary resources for each project phase.

Tips for running a work breakdown workshop

To get the most out of your work breakdown structure session, you should:

  • Have a clear picture of the scope of your project and stakeholders mapped out, so that you can engage the right project team members and avoid any blind spots
  • Use Mural features like commenting or tags for sticky notes to add further context to tasks, or assign tasks to specific stakeholders within the mural
  • Track your progress as your project evolves — your mural is a living document that should reflect the state of your project as you move through each phase, helping all stakeholders instantly grasp progress

How to create a Work breakdown structure template

Mural makes it easy to collaboratively visualize complex processes

With Mural’s intuitive tools, it’s easy to map your entire project and incorporate feedback from stakeholders in a simple-to-grasp visual format.
Sticky notes & text

Sticky notes & text

Add ideas, action items, and more as a sticky note or text box — then change the colors and cluster to identify patterns and new solutions.

Mapping and diagramming

Mapping and diagramming

Build quick and easy visualizations of flows, maps, processes, hierarchies, journeys, and more.

Easy sharing

Easy sharing

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Infinite & resizable canvas options

Infinite & resizable canvas options

Choose the right canvas for your collaboration goals — flexibility without limits.

Commenting

Commenting

Add comments and tag collaborators for smooth asynchronous communication.

Video meeting integrations

Video meeting integrations

Seamlessly add visual collaboration to meetings with Microsoft Teams, Webex, and Zoom integrations.

Work breakdown structure template frequently asked questions

What is a work breakdown structure in project management?

What is the difference between a WBS and a project plan?

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