What is the Simple Cost Breakdown WBS Workshop?
A 75–90 minute working session to map one initiative into reusable Elements, reviewable Deliverables, and cost-driving line items (labor, vendors, tools, approvals).
What problem does this solve?
Spend tied to vague “work”
Missed review loops, security checks, procurement steps
No shared view of where effort concentrates
How to use
Scope in/out + “done” statement (10m)
Create 6–10 Elements (10m)
Add 2–5 Deliverables per Element + owner (20m)
Add Cost Items under each Deliverable (20m)
Add T-shirt sizes or low/likely/high ranges + assumptions (15m)
Common pitfalls in the Simple Cost Breakdown WBS Workshop
Too many Elements, Deliverables written as verbs, estimates with no stated assumptions.
Ways to avoid mistakes in the Simple Cost Breakdown WBS Workshop
Keep Elements reusable, write Deliverables as nouns, capture rates/review cycles at the top of the board.
Miro Features You Can Use
Sticky Notes for rapid listing, Diagram for Deliverables with owners, Tags to mark risk/unknowns, Voting to flag biggest cost drivers, Timer to pace each step, Comments for open questions.
FAQ: Simple Cost Breakdown WBS Workshop
Q: Who can benefit from this template? A: Founders, project leads, product teams, Ops/Finance partners, procurement/IT reviewers.
Q: Does it work for virtual and in-person sessions? A: Yes—use the same Miro board; in-person teams can project it and edit live.
Q: What do I leave with? A: A draft cost WBS, owners per Deliverable, estimate ranges, and a short list of cost risks to resolve next.
