# Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) in Construction

> A work breakdown structure (WBS) breaks a construction project into phases, towers, floors and tasks. See a Tower A example and the SuperWise WBS tree.

Canonical: https://superwise.site/glossary/work-breakdown-structure/
Last updated: 2026-11-01

A tree that breaks a construction project into phases, towers, floors and tasks that can each be planned, tracked and costed.

## What is Work Breakdown Structure (WBS)?

A Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) is a hierarchy that breaks a large project, such as building a hospital, into smaller measurable deliverables. A construction WBS typically runs from project to phase, tower, floor, discipline (civil or MEP), activity (slab casting) and task ([rebar](https://superwise.site/glossary/reinforcement-rebar/) fixing). Each level can be planned, assigned and tracked on its own.

## Practical example

Tracking the budget for Tower A as a whole is too vague. With a WBS, the project manager breaks it down to Tower A > 5th Floor > Civil Works > Masonry > AAC Blockwall. The planner now knows how many cu.m of [AAC blocks](https://superwise.site/glossary/aac-blocks/) the 5th floor needs and can assign one supervisor to finish that subset of work in 5 days.

## In SuperWise

In SuperWise the schedule holds a WBS tree for each project, with a hierarchical code such as 1.2.3 and a title on every node. The executable tasks sit under the tree, and [BOQ](https://superwise.site/glossary/bill-of-quantities/) items are linked to tasks for task-level cost tracking. The MIS report lets you choose how many WBS levels its task summaries show.

[Construction scheduling](https://superwise.site/features/construction-scheduling/)

## Related terms

- [Gantt Chart](https://superwise.site/glossary/gantt-chart/)
- [Earned Value Management (EVM)](https://superwise.site/glossary/earned-value-management/)
- [Bill of Quantities (BOQ)](https://superwise.site/glossary/bill-of-quantities/)
- [Daily Progress Report (DPR)](https://superwise.site/glossary/daily-progress-report/)

## Related
- [Gantt Chart](https://superwise.site/glossary/gantt-chart/)
- [Earned Value Management (EVM)](https://superwise.site/glossary/earned-value-management/)
- [Bill of Quantities (BOQ)](https://superwise.site/glossary/bill-of-quantities/)
- [Daily Progress Report (DPR)](https://superwise.site/glossary/daily-progress-report/)
- [Construction scheduling](https://superwise.site/features/construction-scheduling/)