Click here to download your free Product Breakdown Structure template

This provides a basic example of how a Project can be broken down in to a hierarchy of deliverables, and how it should be structured.

MS Excel is often the easiest tool to use for this purpose, unless you have a CASE tool available.

A Product Breakdown Structure (PBS) is a key tool in Product-based planning. It provides an exhaustive hierarchy of project deliverables. It should include all of the Project Documents that you choose to use – refer to our list of Project Documents

What is the difference between a Product Breakdown Structure and a Work Breakdown Structure?

A Product Breakdown Structure (PBS) details what Products (outcomes – e.g. Project Plan) need to be produced to achieve a desired goal.

A Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) details what Work (e.g. load in to production) needs to be done to achieve a desired goal.

They both share a similar hierarchy structure, but serve different purposes. A PBS tells you WHERE you want to go; a WBS tells you HOW to get there.

Phase

Project Planning

Author

Project Manager

Context

Usually forms part of the Project Plan and the structure to the Project Schedule

Click here to download your free Product Breakdown Structure template