Organizational Breakdown Structure (OBS) Template
Project management relies on a formal structure that reflects the approach being adopted for managing the different facets of the project. This structure follows the traditional hierarchy model that is used to provide all those involved in the project with a visual representation of the project management structure.
There are three simple steps to take when creating your project's OBS, which will be repeated until the 'best' levels are identified. Firstly, depict the complete organization in a traditional hierarchy chart. Then detail all the necessary departments and teams your project requires to achieve its objective. Finally, specify the function that carries the cost of each work package and approves its sign-off.
The OBS deals with the organizational side of the project by identifying who has the technical abilities, as well as being available at the time required in the project schedule for key deliverables. This may be an individual, a business unit or a contractor that is required to meet project deadlines.
If communications are poor then several issues can occur and the project manger must identify during the planning of his or her project how they will be avoided or overcome in the unfortunate circumstances they occur.
