Defining work breakdown structures (WBS)

Work breakdown structures (WBS) are special codes that enable you to attach additional information to each item (say, a code to store a bid item number, estimator, or department). You can use these codes to organize the estimate in other sequences and report on items in various ways. Example

You can define work breakdown structures (WBS codes) for the standard database and for the current estimate.

Note: WBS codes saved to the standard database do not affect existing estimates.

To define work breakdown structures:

1. Open the Database WBS Settings or the Estimate WBS Settings window.

   • On the ribbon, click the Data > WBS.
   • In classic view, click Database > WBS…

   Note: If both an estimate and a standard database are open, the Estimate WBS Settings window appears initially.

2. Select the source.

   • To display Database WBS Settings, select the Database option.
   • To display Estimate Settings, select the Estimate option.

   (If only an estimate or a standard database is open, you cannot switch to the other option.)

3. Complete the fields for each work breakdown structure you want to set up. You can define up to 40 work breakdown structures in the grid.

   For more information, click on the title bar of the window, and then click a field or button.

4. When you finish setting up your work breakdown structures, click [OK] to save them.
5. Click [Close].