Cost Breakdown Structure
A Cost Breakdown Structure (CBS) in project management organises project costs into manageable categories, aligning with the project's Work Breakdown Structure (WBS). It helps track expenses, allocate budgets, and monitor financial performance, ensuring projects stay on budget and enabling more accurate cost control and forecasting.
Technique Overview
Cost Breakdown Structure Definition
A Cost Breakdown Structure (CBS) in project management is a hierarchical framework that categorises and itemises all costs associated with a project. It links these costs to specific work packages, phases, or components, providing a detailed financial overview. It enables effective budget allocation, tracking, and control, ensuring that every expense aligns with the project's objectives and resource plans. By structuring costs in this manner, project managers can better predict financial needs, identify potential overruns, and maintain financial transparency throughout the project lifecycle.
Cost Breakdown Structure Description *
* The full technique overview will be available soon. Contact us to register your interest in our business management platform, and learn all about Cost Breakdown Structure.
Business Evidence
Strengths, weaknesses and examples of Cost Breakdown Structure *
* The business evidence section is for premium members only. Please contact us about accessing the Business Evidence.
Business Application
Implementation, success factors and measures of Cost Breakdown Structure *
* The business application section is for premium members only. Please contact us about accessing the Business application.
Professional Tools
Cost Breakdown Structure videos and downloads *
* The professional tools section is for premium members only. Please contact us about accessing the professional tools.
Further Reading
Cost Breakdown Structure web and print resources *
Cost Breakdown Structure references (4 of up to 20) *
- PMI (Project Management Institute). (2021). A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK Guide).
- Kerzner, H. (2022). Project Management: A Systems Approach to Planning, Scheduling, and Controlling.
- Larson, E. W., & Gray, C. F. (2021). Project Management: The Managerial Process. 8th edition.
- Heagney, J. (2016). Fundamentals of Project Management.
* The further reading section is for premium members only. Please contact us about accessing the further reading.
Learn more about KnowledgeBrief Manage and how you can equip yourself with the knowledge to succeed on Cost Breakdown Structure and hundreds of other essential business management techniques