Structure your Work Using Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) in Kendis

We have explored how to define project phases and structure work across milestones. Now, the focus shifts to breaking down these phases into smaller, actionable work packages using a Work Breakdown Structure (WBS)

A WBS allows project or product managers to decompose high-level phases into manageable tasks, ensuring alignment with objectives while maintaining visibility and control. This structured breakdown helps clarify responsibilities, streamline execution, and improve progress tracking.

With Kendis’s Batch functionality, you can further refine your project phases, assign work to teams, and monitor completion at every level. This article will cover what a Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) is, how it enhances project planning, and how Kendis enables seamless tracking of your WBS to keep your teams aligned and productive.

What is a Work Breakdown Structure? (WBS)

The Work Breakdown Structure is designed to organize deliverables by decomposing high-level phases into manageable work packages. It paves the path to providing clear objectives for each work package, further clarifying tasks and responsibilities. It also exposes and makes it easy to visualize interdependencies between tasks. The Work Breakdown Structure makes it simple to align your strategic goals with the organizational objectives. All of this makes it possible to construct a roadmap that allows you to visualize your project with batches that have to be completed on a timeline.

How to Create a WBS in Kendis?

Undoubtedly, Kendis is at the apex of providing the most transparent and clear visuals when tracking and managing your project. A tip to remember when creating your work breakdown structure is to break down Batches into sub-batches according to the Phases defined.

Breaking down your project may look daunting at first but if you follow the information provided in this article and with the help of Kendis, you can ensure a smooth experience in organizing the work related to your project.

Decompose Batches into Phases

Breaking down Batches into Phases is the first step towards obtaining a structured approach to delivering your project. A Batch can also be a single project that can be broken down. As an example, your project (Batch Group) can be broken down into the following phases:

• Initiation Phase
• Planning Phase
• Execution Phase
• Delivery/Rollout Phase

Adding Sub Batches to the Phases

With the Phases defined, align these Sub-Batches to the Phases. To simplify tracking and ensure accountability, each Sub-Batch should include clearly defined tasks and deliverables with specific timeframes to provide actionable and measurable output. For example:

Initiation Phase

Sub-Batch
Outline the project’s objectives and success criteria. Identify stakeholders and key roles. Create high-level Batches in Kendis to represent the primary phases.

Deliverables

• Project charter outlining objectives and stakeholders
• Initial roadmap highlighting key milestones and high-level phases
• Approval of the project scope and high-level plan

Planning Phase

Sub-Batch
Define project requirements and batches, map dependencies, and create sprint or release plans.

Deliverables

• Requirements document
• Dependency map
• Detailed sprint/release schedule

Execution Phase

Sub-Batch
Develop the authentication module, integrate third-party APIs, and configure cloud environments.

Deliverables

• Tested and deployed authentication features
• Operational API integrations
• Production-ready cloud infrastructure

Delivery / Rollout Phase

Sub-Batch
Conduct user acceptance testing (UAT), deploy to production, and monitor post-launch performance.

Deliverables

• Signed-off UAT report
• Completed production deployment
• Performance monitoring dashboard

How to Plan These Phases Using Batches in Kendis

With your Batches, Phases, and Sub-Batches created in Kendis, you can plan your Work Breakdown Structure (WBS). Essentials include setting deliverables for Sub-Batches, aligning with strategic objectives, and viewing them on a Kanban board or roadmap.

Using features like Kanban, Timelines, and Roadmaps in Org Views in Kendis, you can set deadlines and assign teams for each Sub-Batch, as well as define specific tasks. Track progress with Kendis’s interactive views for transparency and depth. To get started:

Add High-Level Tasks (Epics) for Sub-Batches

Within each Batch, create Sub-Batches to break down specific work. The deliverables for Sub-Batches are high-level tasks (often Epics for software/IT projects). Examples:

• Sub-Batch in Initiation Phase: Sub-batches for outlining the project’s objectives
  • Tasks: Initial roadmap highlighting key milestones and high-level phases
• Sub-Batch in Planning Phase: Define project requirements and batches, map dependencies, and create sprint or release plans
  • Tasks: Prepare the requirements document
• Sub-Batch in Execution Phase: Develop the authentication module, integrate third-party APIs, and configure cloud environments
  • Tasks: Test and deploy authentication features
• Sub-Batch in Delivery Phase: Conduct UAT, deploy to production, and monitor post-launch performance
  • Tasks: Prepare production deployment

Align Work Packages with Strategic Objectives

Each Batch (work package) should contribute to the project’s overall objectives and align with organizational goals. Using Org Views in Kendis, integrate Batches with broader strategic goals to provide visibility into how each task aligns with phase-level and project-level objectives, ensuring transparency for stakeholders.

Roadmaps for Batches in Kendis

Project managers can leverage the Batch Roadmap feature to visualize and plan the WBS with clarity and precision. This enables teams to:

• Plot Batches and Sub-Batches: Represent high-level phases (e.g., Planning, Execution, Delivery) and their Sub-Batches on a timeline.
• Define Phases on the Roadmap: Outline key phases with specific milestones and associated tasks for a concise stakeholder view.

• Align Deliverables with Milestones: Map deliverables and dependencies directly onto the timeline to prevent bottlenecks and support smooth execution.
• Enhance Stakeholder Communication: Provide a high-level overview of progress to ensure alignment and informed decision-making.

By incorporating well-defined phases into the roadmap, Kendis helps teams visualize plans, track dependencies, and manage progress efficiently—from initiation to final delivery.

Benefits of WBS with Batches in Kendis

1. Clarity and Structure: Batches and Sub-Batches create a clear hierarchy, reducing ambiguity and enhancing focus.
2. Risk Management: Smaller work packages make it easier to identify risks and manage their impact.
3. Comprehensive Visualization: Kendis provides detailed views of scope, dependencies, and milestones for better communication and decisions.
4. Strategic Alignment: Org Views link tasks to broader objectives, ensuring measurable value.
5. Roadmap Integration: The Batch Roadmap offers a high-level timeline to keep teams and stakeholders aligned.

Summary

Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) in Kendis uses Batches to transform high-level phases into actionable work packages. With phases visualized on the Kendis Roadmap, project managers can map deliverables, milestones, and dependencies onto a timeline for improved planning and strategic alignment. Sub-Batches add granularity, while Org Views track how work contributes to broader objectives.

This framework helps teams organize, track, and deliver complex projects efficiently, keeping stakeholders aligned at every stage. Next up: structure and organize Epics and Features for quarterly planning in Kendis to execute with even greater focus and collaboration.