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:
- Under the WBS tree root node, you can only add programs and projects.
- Under programs, you can only create projects.
- Under projects, you can nest any WBS element.
- Under a milestone, you cannot nest an element.
- Under a task, you cannot nest an element.