Creating your Work Breakdown Structure

Owned by Rulon Allred, created
Last updated: Feb 17, 2021
2 min read

This guide will teach you how to create a Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) in Sigma.

Step-by-step:

Step

Action

Screenshot

Step

Action

Screenshot

1.

Sigma Estimates is based on a hierarchal structure, and this is shown in the Work Breakdown Structure (WBS). At the top of the structure is the title of the estimate (job name).

 

 

 

 

 

 

2.

The next level consists of the Headings and defines the basic work breakdown structure of your estimate. The title of the estimate and the headings are text only.

3.

Each heading can have as many components and sub-components as you need. It is here that your estimate is built, quantities are surveyed, and the costs developed.

4.

Adding a Main Heading:

Click the Job Name of the WBS, then click in the Content page Text column and type the heading. Go to the next line and enter the next heading and so on until you have the basic structure you want in your estimate. There are no rules concerning this in Sigma – your WBS could be structured by CSI division, by phase, by location, by bid package – however you need to set it up, you can.

5.

Dividing a Heading into Sub-Headings:

Use the same procedure to add subheadings, sub-sub headings, etc. As you can see in the picture above, three subheadings have been added under Wood, Plastics and Composites, Rough, Finish and Architectural Woodwork. And Rough Carpentry has been grouped into 4 subheadings.

6.

Adding Takeoff Items:

After the structure of the estimate is built, you will find the correct level to add the items which will have quantities added to them (Takeoff Items). The level that takeoff items occur on does not have to be consistent thru out the estimate. For instance, in the picture above, the takeoff items for the wall framing are on level 4, while in the picture to the right, the Fire Suppression takeoff item is on the second level.

7.

Assembly Components:

If you are using assemblies, the assembly components on the next level under the takeoff items, and each assembly component needs to represent the cost of that component for 1 take off unit at the takeoff item level. Because the Total cost of the assembly components will be multiplied by the Takeoff quantity.