WBS: When to do it?

[gr8morhg]

PMI says that WBS is in the planning processes, but I see some people doing this also in the initiating stage before issuing the Project Charter because they argue it's a way to have the scope clear sooner. What' s your opinion? WBS at the very beginning, WBS in planning phase or having two WBS sessions (with the second to refine the first one?)

Thanks,
Matteo

[SimonS]

I am a fan of having a rough WBS draft as early as possible to make clear the scope and to give an idea of expected effort (especially to the customer and sponsor). But it is clear that on most projects you cannot finalize the WBS before the project charter is approved. Especially on large and uncommon projects it takes to much effort to develop the WBS without a clear assignment.

[gr8morhg]

Thanks for the hint. Now the question is who to invite to PRE-WBS meeting? The candidate project team? Or do I need to invite some additional stakeholder? (e.g. sponsor?)

[jayashree]

WBS in the beginning can definitely help us to succeed with the project with better organization.