Learn how to effectively structure your project using WBS with LUCKiwi

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Introduction

The WBS (Work Breakdown Structure) is an essential tool to break down a project into clear, understandable, and actionable elements. With LUCKiwi, you get a visual and collaborative environment to create and share your WBS in just a few clicks. Follow this step-by-step guide to set it up!

Step-by-step guide to creating your WBS

1. Log in and prepare your workspace

1. Go to app.luckiwi.com, then log in (email + password).
2. In your workspace, add a new project (e.g., "Plastic Part Construction") and customize its color.
3. Create a new worksheet dedicated to the WBS (name it "WBS") and select the Work Breakdown Structure tool.

2. Build the WBS hierarchy

The WBS consists of several levels:

1. Level 1 – Entire project
   • Represents the whole project (e.g., "Plastic Part Construction").
2. Level 2 – Phases or Deliverables
   • Choose the most appropriate approach:
     • Phases (Planning, Design, Development, Testing, Closure)
     • Deliverables (Documentation, Prototype, Final version…)
3. Level 3 – Sub-deliverables
   • Break down each phase/deliverable into major components (e.g., "Project plan development", "Functional testing").
4. Level 4 – Work Packages
   • The smallest, most concrete and assignable units: these are your future tracking and estimation points (e.g., "Writing the requirements document", "Client validation of the prototype").

3. Best practices for creation

• Collaborative work: organize a whiteboard workshop with the team and stakeholders to avoid missing anything.
• 100% rule: the sum of sub-elements at any level must represent 100% of the work of the level above, with no omissions or overlaps.
• Consistent granularity: maintain a constant number of levels throughout the WBS.
• Clarity and responsibility: each element should be unique, clear, and measurable, to be assignable and trackable.

4. From WBS to operational tasks

Once your WBS is ready:

1. Switch to the Task List in LUCKiwi.
2. Enable the Structure column to view your hierarchy levels.
3. Convert each work package into plannable tasks: add dates, resources, priorities, etc.
4. Then launch your planning (Gantt or Kanban) to continuously track progress and dependencies.

Conclusion

The WBS is the foundation of solid planning: it ensures nothing is forgotten, enables clear communication, and allows precise control of costs, deadlines, and responsibilities. With LUCKiwi, build your WBS visually and collaboratively, then directly feed it into your tracking tools to quickly move into action!