Difference Between Work Breakdown Structure WBS and Resource Breakdown Structure RBS (With Table)

Any development’s work breakdown system or structure (WBS) is an essential accomplishment. The project leader is in a great position to categorize the work which the team has to achieve into manageable portions that can be readily controlled using the WBS, while RBS is regarded as a vital aspect of efficiency in managing projects. And yet, both the terms are necessary for an organization but there are lots of differences between both the terms.

Work Breakdown Structure WBS vs Resource Breakdown Structure RBS

The main difference between Work Breakdown Structure WBS and Resource Breakdown Structure RBS is that Work breakdown structure (WBS) is a graphical portrayal of the total scope of work to be completed, divided down into tiny chunks that each person in the group can comprehend. RBS, on the other hand, maybe divided into geographical resources and corporate resources. Other elements required for effective and efficient RBS comprise resource estimates, a resource planner, and operation lists.

In product development, a work breakdown structure (WBS) is a strategy for finishing a complicated, multi-step assignment. It is a method of dividing and conquering enormous undertakings in order to complete them more quickly and efficiently.

A work breakdown structure (WBS) is intended to make a complex project more manageable. Splitting it down into smaller pieces allows multiple groups to work on it at the same time, resulting in higher team productivity and simpler project management.

A resource breakdown structure, often known as an RBS, is a list of resources required to complete a project. It includes everything and anything that costs money, such as personnel, equipment, supplies, licenses, locations, and time.

Comparison Table Between Work Breakdown Structure WBS and Resource Breakdown Structure RBS

Parameters of Comparison 

Work Breakdown Structure WBS

Resource Breakdown Structure RBS 

Define

Work breakdown structure (WBS) is a graphical portrayal of the total scope of work to be completed, divided down into tiny chunks that each person in the group can comprehend. 

RBS, is a list of resources and its allocation done and required to complete a project.

Element of Management

Work and tasks which are done by an organization collectively.

Resources like assets, human personnel, time management schedules, etc.

Usage

Elevates the scope of project supervision.

Increases the scope for saving resources and sustenance of human resources.

Organized By

The project head or Managers.

Can be contributed by everyone in the organization.

Emphasizes on

Project Timeline

Resource Allocation

What is Work Breakdown Structure WBS?

A work breakdown structure (WBS) is a business chart. The current task is the primary output in a WBS, and it is further subdivided into smaller sub-categories, each of which has specifications on how it will be accomplished.

A WBS also helps to monitor the performance of the different project sections. The general contractor or the superior managers are in excellent positions to advise the project’s productivity cost, identify trouble areas, and, most significantly, the major concerns in the project organization.

One of the advantages of a work breakdown structure is that it assists the supervisor in identifying any possible hazards that may exist in a venture. If any part of the work has not been properly defined, it will become a dangerous area that must be handled. Such risks are meant to be appropriately recorded and reviewed as the project progresses. Each project may have a distinct work breakdown structure.

You may need to explore as a project leader to determine whichever WBS works best for you as well as your team. The purpose is to display the project organization and performance to everyone engaged, whether they are team members or external stakeholders.

What is Resource Breakdown Structure RBS?

The resource breakdown structure is often created by the contractor or the departmental head who deals involving sales and human resources or resource manager, with participation from management and colleagues. Somebody with knowledge of crucial, elevated project details including the budget, people, technology, and applications must create an RBS.

During the development stage of a new enterprise, the management designs the RBS. As a project leader builds more resource breakdown structures for multiple tasks, resource estimations, allotment, and predictions become more accurate.

Creating an RBS before beginning the actual work or any given task has several advantages. Aside from explaining what you’ll want and how much you have, resource breakdown structures assist in identifying and grouping resources in such a way that promotes effective resource adoption throughout a project’s development process.

The concentration of RBS is on a systematic listing of assets. You must mention all sources, regardless of their importance or even if they appear superfluous to you. Each stage in the process will necessitate a specific amount of resources. These must be prioritized in terms of their relevance to the accomplishment of each stage and, ultimately, the fulfillment of the entire design.

Main Differences Between Work Breakdown Structure WBS and Resource Breakdown Structure RBS

  1. WBS aka Work Breakdown Structure focuses on timeliness and labor distribution whereas RBS aka Resource Breakdown Structure elaborates the usage and counting of resources.
  2. WBS increases the scope of project or event supervision whereas RBS helps in sustaining the resources and reducing expenses.
  3. WBS improves the workflow whereas RBS enhances resource and asset management.
  4. WBS is only contributed by top-tier executives whereas a Resource Breakdown Structure is contributed entirely by the management and the workers of an organization.
  5. WBS emphasizes the relevance of positions and designations allotted in a project whereas RBS focuses on resource and asset allotment to the designated people.

Conclusion

To summarise, both the WBS and even the RBS are critical to the effective execution of a task as well as the productivity of the appropriate working groups. The WBS is supported by several specific project papers. A risk control, long-term rates, procurement methods, a structured process, and a planning process.

In the case of RBS, or resource breakdown structure, you have the option of displaying the RBS as just an RBS chart, spreadsheets, matrix, or graph. Regardless of the approach you choose, the RBS must provide an easy-to-read analysis of the possible and necessary resources to enable the project’s success.

Conclusion

  1. https://www.wrike.com/project-management-guide/faq/what-is-work-breakdown-structure-in-project-management/
  2. https://docs.oracle.com/cd/E25054_01/fusionapps.1111/e20384/F552262AN58080.htm