Nesting rules for WBS elements

In a WBS tree structure, the WBS elements can have parent-child relationships. The possible parent-child relationships are defined as element nesting rules. These rules are enforced during the WBS tree creation.
The WBS element nesting rules are described in the following table:
Element Can contain
Program Project Milestone Summary task Task Change request Defect Issue
Root Yes Yes No No No No No No
Program No Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Project No Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Milestone No No No No No No No No
Iteration No No Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Summary task No No Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Task No No No No No No No No
Change request No No Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Defect No No Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Issue No No Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Notes:
  1. Under the WBS tree root node, you can only add programs and projects.
  2. Under programs, you can only create projects.
  3. Under projects, you can nest any WBS element.
  4. Under a milestone, you cannot nest an element.
  5. Under a task, you cannot nest an element.
Related concepts
Work breakdown structure

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