What is a Work Package? Project Management in Under 5 | Summary and Q&A

TL;DR

A work package is a subset of work within a project, either breaking down the product or the tasks required to produce the product.

Key Insights

• 💦 Work packages are subsets of work within a project, either focusing on the product or the tasks required to produce it.
• 💦 Work breakdown structures differ in the US and the UK, with one focusing on product components and the other on tasks.
• 🧑‍🏭 Work packages can be assigned informally or formally, depending on factors like criticality, sensitivity, trust, and contractual requirements.
• 💦 Formal work package descriptions help set expectations, guidelines, and authority for work package managers.
• 💦 Work package descriptions can be seen as mini project briefs or project initiation documents for the assigned work package.
• 💦 Work packages can have price-sensitive implications and require formal descriptions in contractual situations.
• 💦 Allocating and storing paperwork securely is important once a work package is assigned.

Transcript

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Questions & Answers

Q: What is a work package in project management?

A work package is a chunk of work within a project, either breaking down the product or the tasks required to produce the product. It is a subset of the work breakdown structure.

Q: How do work breakdown structures differ in the US and the UK?

In the US, work breakdown structures break down the product into its component parts. In the UK, they break down the tasks required to produce the product or deliverable set.

Q: When are work packages assigned formally?

Work packages are assigned formally when the work is of high criticality, sensitivity, profile, or when there is a lower level of trust. This helps increase the level of confidence in the performance of the work package manager.

Q: What is included in a work package description?

A work package description includes the required work, standards, timescales, available resources, and sometimes background information. It sets out guidelines and gives authority to the work package manager to complete the task.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Work packages are chunks of work within a project and are a subset of the work breakdown structure.

• In the US, work breakdown structures break down the product into its component parts, while in the UK, they break down the tasks required to produce the product.

• Work packages can be assigned formally or informally, depending on the level of criticality, sensitivity, trust, and contractual requirements.