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

For example, you could set up work breakdown structures (WBS) to store a bid item number, estimator, or department for each item.

WBS Name Type Size Unit

Bid Item

Detail

Up to 20

Varies

Estimator

Takeoff

Up to 20

None

Department

Item

Up to 20

Varies

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 An image showing the Help icon available on the ribbon 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].

After defining WBS codes

Enter values for each WBS code.