Work Packages are one of the most commonly misused elements in project management. Many people claim to use them when in fact they are just grouping together tasks into a bigger deliverable. The other problem with work packages is that not all project management software applications are great at allowing you to effectively use them in your project.
But what exactly are work packages? The PMI (Project Management Institute) define work packages as “the work defined at the lowest level of the work breakdown structure for which cost and duration can be estimated and managed”. A work package usually has:
- Activity description
- Activity resources
- Estimates for effort and duration
- Schedule
- Risks
- Budget
The use of work packages in your project plan can help tremendously in project estimating, and in managing project completion. For a quick look at how SAP Business ByDesign handles work packages in project management, check out the short video below.
For a more detailed demo and to discuss some best practices when planning your projects, feel free to contact us.
