Free Work Breakdown Structure Templates

We’ve gathered the most effective free work breakdown structure (WBS) templates in all formats. Find a WBS with Gantt chart template, a WBS dictionary template, a WBS outline and diagram template, a software development project WBS template, and more.

By Kate Eby | November 5, 2018 (updated May 30, 2025)

Simple Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) 8721 Template

Simple Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) Template

Track and manage your project more efficiently with this easy-to-use tree diagram WBS template. It helps you break down major deliverables into clear, actionable tasks using a structured WBS numbering system that adds transparency to every project phase. This template is especially useful for classic project management workflows and teams that prefer visual planning tools or printable documents.

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Excel
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Adobe PDF
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smartsheet project work breakdown structure wbs template

Keep Projects on Track with a Smartsheet WBS Template

Plan smarter and stay in control with a WBS template that updates as your project evolves. Get instant visibility into timelines, task relationships, and team progress. Save time, reduce risk, and deliver projects more efficiently.

Try the Smartsheet WBS Template

Work Breakdown Structure with Gantt Chart 8721 Template

Work Breakdown Structure With Gantt Chart Template

Map out your tasks in a detailed WBS format while simultaneously tracking timelines with a built-in Gantt chart. This template combines task hierarchy, duration, ownership, and status into one visual layout, making it easy to coordinate and execute projects with clarity. It’s ideal for teams that need both a structured work breakdown and a clear schedule, all in one view.

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Excel
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Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) Dictionary 8721 Template

Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) Dictionary Template

Document the full scope of your project using this comprehensive WBS dictionary template, designed to capture each task’s definition, owner, timeline, and notes. By outlining responsibilities, this format helps keep your team aligned and your deliverables well-defined. It’s an essential tool for managing large projects with complex task structures that require accuracy.

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Excel
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WBS Outline and Diagram Template

Visualize your work breakdown structure in both outline and diagram form, making it easy to map relationships between tasks and phases. This template uses WBS codes to organize work from top-level objectives down to the most detailed activities, creating a clear, structured view of your project. It’s ideal for teams that prioritize flexibility and alignment with PMI standards.

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Excel
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WBS Chart With Levels Template

Separate your project into tiered levels to see how each task contributes to larger milestones and objectives. With color-coded sections and editable numbering, this template makes it easy to update and adjust as your project evolves. It’s especially useful for phased initiatives or complex projects where clear scope layering and structured progress tracking are essential.

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Excel
Microsoft Word
Google Sheets

Software Development Project WBS 8721 Template

Software Development Project WBS Template

Break down development workflows by sprint, module, or feature with this targeted WBS template for software teams. Whether your team follows Agile, hybrid, or waterfall methodologies, this tool helps manage backlog items, releases, and internal milestones with clarity. Keep every stakeholder aligned throughout planning, coding, testing, and deployment for smooth delivery.

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Excel
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Construction Project WBS Template

Organize complex builds with this construction-focused WBS template, which combines outline and diagram views for maximum flexibility. Capture each work package by phase — design, site preparation, materials, inspections — and assign tasks with confidence. This template is built to streamline coordination across teams, trades, and project timelines, helping you stay aligned.

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Excel
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Engineering Project WBS Template

Track every task in a large-scale engineering project by discipline, category, or team using this WBS template. It offers a clear breakdown of work packages, giving stakeholders visibility into each step from concept to delivery. Ideal for high-stakes projects with interdependent technical components, this template helps ensure accountability and seamless coordination.

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Excel
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Conference Planning Mindmap 8721 Template

Conference Planning Mind Map Template

Visualize your entire event using a mind map WBS that captures everything from early marketing efforts to day-of logistics. Start with your central goal — the event itself — and branch out into key planning areas such as procurement, venue coordination, and more. This template is perfect for managing conferences, product launches, campaign events, and other initiatives.

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Excel
Microsoft Word
PowerPoint
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Business Process WBS Template

Model your business processes from launch to execution using this structured WBS template. It is organized into six phases, each of which break down into defined work packages that align with your project’s operational goals and key deliverables. Use this tool to strengthen task ownership and enhance visibility into timelines and dependencies so that your team can stay aligned.

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Excel
Google Sheets

WBS Gantt Chart Presentation 8721 Template

WBS Gantt Chart Presentation Template

Present your work breakdown and timeline in a slide-based WBS Gantt format that’s ideal for both internal teams and external stakeholders. This template makes it easy to illustrate project phases, task dependencies, and key delivery dates in a visual format. It’s perfect for pitching new initiatives, leading team briefings, or presenting progress during client-facing meetings.

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PowerPoint
Google Slides

Streamline your work with Smartsheet

Documenting the total scope of work for a project is a key part of the project planning process, and a work breakdown structure (WBS) is a helpful tool to get you started. But once you've completed your WBS, you need a solution to help plan, track, automate, and report on the overall project details from start to finish.

Smartsheet empowers organizations to innovate and achieve results faster, securely, and at scale through effective collaboration and streamlined workflows.

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Related Work Breakdown Structure Templates

Explore our collection of free project management templates from Smartsheet, designed to help you plan, track, and execute projects more effectively. These templates support a variety of project needs, from budgeting and timelines to dashboards and stakeholder communication.

Discover a variety of free top project management Excel templates for planning, scheduling, tracking, and reporting at every stage of your project.
Collaborate in real time with these free Google Sheets project management templates, ideal for remote or hybrid teams working in Google Workspace.
Manage job sites, subcontractors, and materials more effectively using these free construction project management templates in Excel and Google Sheets.
Create editable plans, charters, and reports with these free Microsoft Word project management templates that are easy to print and share.
Streamline sprint planning, backlog tracking, and team velocity with these free Agile project management templates designed for Scrum and Agile workflows.
Present timelines, roles, and deliverables with ease using these free PowerPoint project management templates, perfect for meetings and client presentations.
Align content approvals, tasks, and launch dates with these free marketing project management templates tailored for campaign execution and team coordination.
Use these free Google Docs project management templates to collaborate on plans and reports directly within the Google Workspace environment.
Distribute structured, print-ready summaries and plans with these free PDF project management templates ideal for archiving or handouts.
Monitor project progress with clarity using these free project tracking templates that help teams stay on schedule and within scope.
Outline objectives, scope, deliverables, and timelines using these free project management plan templates formatted for clarity and consistency.
Keep projects moving with these free project schedule templates built to visualize and manage timelines effectively in Excel.
Break down complex projects into manageable phases with these WBS Gantt chart templates that combine task hierarchy with visual scheduling in a single, easy-to-read layout.
Showcase work breakdown structures using these PowerPoint WBS templates — ideal for pitching project scopes and illustrating task relationships visually.