Framework for a generic work breakdown structure for building projects

Ibrahim, YM; Kaka, A; Aouad, GF; Kagioglou, M

Abstract

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to propose a framework for the standardisation of the work
breakdown structure (WBS) for building projects. This is based on the premise that buildings in
general retain basic elemental options, and that there is a commonality of activities in the procurement
of building projects.
Design/methodology/approach – To achieve the objective, the general practice of developing the
WBS is investigated. This is achieved by means of an industry-wide questionnaire survey designed to
identify the most widely used criteria among UK construction organisations in segregating building
works into packages. The survey also investigates the sequencing of these criteria across the WBS
hierarchy.
Findings – The findings reveal that the most frequently used decomposition criteria in the
formulation of WBS for building projects are elements, work sections, physical location and
construction aids. The proposed framework is presented as a hierarchical decomposition of a building
project based on these criteria. It allows for flexibility in level of detail while maintaining a rigid
sequencing of the criteria based on their frequency of use.
Originality/value – This paper reports on a specific part of an EPSRC funded project that aims to
investigate the application of computer vision techniques to the on-site measurement of construction
progress. The part reported in this paper addresses planning issues that will lead to automatic
generation of work packages. Previous studies have focused on automating the planning aspect by
associating individual components with schedule information. However, large construction projects
usually consist of thousands of components. Planning and tracking progress at the level of the
component is unrealistic in these instances. The standardisation framework reported in this paper will
form the basis for automating the formulation of work packages, thus providing a uniform basis for
tracking progress (based on computer vision) during project execution.

Citation

Ibrahim, Y., Kaka, A., Aouad, G., & Kagioglou, M. (2009). Framework for a generic work breakdown structure for building projects. Construction innovation (London. Online), 9(4), 388-405. https://doi.org/10.1108/14714170910995930

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Publication Date: Jan 1, 2009
• Deposit Date: Oct 9, 2014
• Journal: Construction Innovation: Information, Process, Management
• Print ISSN: 1471-4175
• Publisher: Emerald
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 9
• Issue: 4
• Pages: 388-405
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/14714170910995930
• Publisher URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/14714170910995930
• Related Public URLs: http://www.emeraldinsight.com/loi/ci
• Additional Information: Funders : Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC); Grant Number: EP/C535200/1