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Work breakdown structure software

Lucidchart is an intelligent diagramming application that makes creating a work breakdown structure (WBS) easy. Customize shapes, import data, and so much more.

Create a free work breakdown structure
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Lucidchart is your collaborative WBS software

With our WBS creator, you can put together a work breakdown structure easily and then share it with stakeholders.

Collaborate and share with anyone from anywhere

Collaborate with stakeholders as you build your work breakdown structure to ensure you’ve covered all of your project’s necessary tasks, subtasks, and budget information. Our work breakdown structure software is cloud-based, so you can access your WBS diagram from any device. Real-time collaboration, @mentions, and in-editor chat allow you to update and share information instantly.

Link your data to your WBS diagram

Import data from Excel directly to your WBS diagram in Lucidchart. If your data is linked to Google Sheets, easily refresh and update your diagrams as you make changes to the data or simply upload a new CSV.

Integrates with Jira

Our Jira integration lets you create Jira tickets directly from your WBS diagram. Once your diagram is complete, integrate it with Jira to automate ticket creation for projects.

Add a video for context

Embed short video clips within your visual to explain more complex parts of your work breakdown structure.

Customizable templates

We offer more than 1,000 custom-made diagramming templates to choose from! Get inspiration from what others have created with Lucidchart to solve problems, make decisions, and manage projects.

Security and privacy

Our users’ security is our first priority. Lucidchart maintains security certifications like PCI, Privacy Shield, and SOC 2.

Trusted by thousands

Lucidchart is trusted by millions of users worldwide and has hundreds of five-star reviews from customers on third-party apps like Capterra, G2, and TrustRadius.

Master the basics in 3 minutes

Master the basics of Lucidchart in 3 minutes

master the basics of Lucidchart in 5 minutes

  • Start by creating a WBS from a template, blank canvas, or imported document.
  • Add shapes, lines, and text.
  • Learn how to adjust styling and formatting within your WBS diagram.
  • Use Feature Find to locate anything you need.
  • Share with your team and start collaborating.
Make a WBS diagram

Work breakdown structure templates and examples

Get started building out your own WBS design with these templates from our gallery.

Work breakdown structure example

Go to Work breakdown structure example template

Detailed work breakdown structure template

Go to Detailed work breakdown structure template template

Work breakdown structure template

Go to Work breakdown structure template template

Lucidchart integrations

Connect Lucidchart to your favorite industry-leading apps.

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See why teams use Lucidchart for their WBS software

Diagram, visualize data, and collaborate all in one platform.

Collaboration

Use our work breakdown structure creator on any device with ease. Lucidchart helps teams collaborate in real time from anywhere in the world. Enhance productivity while working with your team to achieve your goals.

Clarity

Lucidchart brings clarity to the complex. Intelligent diagramming allows you to quickly visualize projects and processes from start to finish.

Alignment

Drive alignment with your team by collaborating in the same space. Quickly map out processes and ideas together in real time so that you never miss a beat.

Better together

The Lucid Visual Collaboration Suite transforms the way you work from ideation to project completion. Brainstorm and plan in Lucidspark, then map it out in Lucidchart. Create a living blueprint of your organization.

What is a work breakdown structure?

A work breakdown structure—also called a WBS—is a project management tool used to define and manage a project’s deliverables. The purpose of a WBS is to break down complex activities into hierarchical, manageable parts, allowing users to see the individual deliverables that need to be completed in order to reach a project’s overarching goal. While most project management tools focus on planned actions, a WBS focuses on planned outcomes. A carefully organized WBS can help a project manager more effectively oversee the completion of otherwise complicated tasks within a project. A WBS with measurable, clearly defined tasks can also help project management assign accurate costs and deadlines to a project, simplifying project planning and monitoring.

How to create a work breakdown structure in Lucidchart

  1. Add your project name

    Start with the project name as the first level of the WBS. Then, use the project's scope and statement to determine the major deliverables that are essential to the success of the project.

  2. Add the deliverables at the second level

    Take the deliverables you have identified and add them to the work breakdown structure at the second level, connecting back to the project name.

  3. Break down major deliverables into work packages

    Break each of your major deliverables down into the necessary work components required to complete them. Record each of them on your WBS at the third level. Most work breakdown structures will have three levels, but you can add more if necessary.

  4. Review and group manageable tasks

    Before taking action, make sure deliverables and sub-deliverables add up to 100% of the work needed for the project to be complete. Then, divide up the tasks you have created so that they are ready to assign to the appropriate team members.

  5. Share your WBS with team members

    When you've finalized your work breakdown structure, share the visual with project stakeholders and team members who will be assigned to tasks, so everyone can see the planned deliverables and what’s expected for each task.

Frequently asked questions about work breakdown structures

What is the difference between a WBS and a Gantt chart?
A WBS is a diagram that shows what a large project will achieve or build, including project scope. A Gantt chart is a visual project management that uses bars to illustrate the timeline of the project activities.
How can I color code tasks and roles in my work breakdown structure?
Lucidchart makes it easy to use conditional formatting to color code and organize tasks, roles, and other items in your work breakdown structure. And if you're an enterprise user, you can simply use our detailed WBS template to quickly get started!
How can Lucidchart help me assign tasks and execute the project once my work breakdown structure diagram is set up?
Lucidchart offers templates for PERT charts, Gantt charts, Kanban boards, Scrum boards, and other diagrams that can help you take your project to its next stages
I need to share my work breakdown structure with other teams. What are my options within Lucidchart?
Publish your WBS diagram as an image, email your work to individuals or groups, or use the powerful Lucidchart add-on in popular team apps like Confluence, Slack, and more.
When should I use a WBS vs. a project plan?
A WBS should be created before a detailed project plan, as it is a basis to estimate the resources needed and to create a cost and time schedule. A WBS is where you'd cover the entirety of the project, while a project plan focuses on smaller areas of the project.
Is it possible to create a WBS diagram and integrate it with Jira?
Yes, you can use the Lucidchart Jira integration, which allows you to create shapes for each Jira issue (including elements like assignee, project, and status) and facilitates a two-way sync between your Jira instance and changes made in your Lucidchart document.