Default WBS Codes
As you define the breakdown of tasks in a project, WBS Codes are automatically assigned to Summary Tasks and Tasks to represent their position in the hierarchy. For example, here is a WBS Chart showing WBS Codes:
As you add/delete items and move Summary Tasks and Tasks around, these codes are automatically updated based on their new locations. This is the default way WBS Schedule Pro works. Read on for additional ways to do WBS Coding in your projects.
Using the Project Summary Task
An overall "Project Summary Task" can be displayed in WBS Schedule Pro by selecting the
Home tab and clicking
Project Summary Task. The Project Summary Task has a WBS Code of 0 and is always the top-most box. If you did not show the Project Summary Task, your top box would be 1 and anything under this would be 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, etc. The Project Summary Task is handy for showing whole WBS numbers (1, 2, 3, etc) on the second level of the hierarchy.
Custom WBS Coding
Typing a WBS Code at any summary level automatically updates the WBS Codes down the hierarchy. For example, entering "A" into the WBS field of Project ABC and "B" into Project XYZ not only changes the WBS for those Summary Tasks but updates all WBS Codes below.
This is a convenient way to create your own custom WBS coding without using a WBS Code Mask.
Clearing WBS Codes
To clear a custom WBS Code and reset it to its default value, select the WBS Code and backspace to remove that custom code. To reset all WBS Codes, switch to a
Task Sheet, select the
WBS Column,
right-click and select
Clear Column.
Using a WBS Code Mask
Select the
Project tab and choose
WBS Codes to define a WBS Code "Mask" to define a coding scheme that conforms to this definition at each level defined.
As new tasks are created and/or moved, WBS Codes are automatically created or updated based on the WBS Code Mask definition.
WBS Codes and Microsoft Project
When using WBS Schedule Pro with Microsoft Project, the WBS coding is done by Microsoft Project. Entering WBS Codes in a plan linked to MS Project behaves as if you typed it into MS Project directly.
