Base120 · Decomposition

Work Breakdown Structure

DE · Decomposition

Hierarchically divide project into deliverable-oriented components with clear ownership

Model code
DE8
Transformation
DE (Decomposition) — Break problems into factors, layers, and independent subproblems.
Priority
8 of 20
Framework
HUMMBL Base120 — 120 mental models across 6 transformations

When to use

"Use when planning a complex project. Hierarchically divide the project into deliverable-oriented work packages, each with clear ownership, scope, and acceptance criteria."

Example

"A software project decomposes into phases (design, build, test, deploy), each decomposed into deliverables (architecture doc, modules, test plans, deployment scripts), each decomposed into tasks with owners and estimates."

Common misuse

"Decomposing into tasks so small that the overhead of tracking exceeds the work. A WBS should decompose to the level where ownership and accountability are clear, not to the level of individual keystrokes."

Also known as

WBSProject Decomposition

Related models

DE4DE19IN9