Decompose tasks through effort estimation

Task decomposition can be reached by estimating effort that is required from people involved to perform their tasks. Effort estimation is a decomposition method that determines a specific and quantifiable amount of definable labor units that are necessary to arrive at timely completion of a parent task.

The major advantage and the special feature of this method is that it uses abilities, knowledge and expertise of labor force as the main determinants in identifying sub-tasks and estimating time-frames necessary to perform a broad task or activity.

The effort estimation method assumes that a broad task can be decomposed into smaller pieces of work or sub-tasks if the following conditions are met:

• Every individual involved in the task is self-disciplined, skilled and motivated
• There is good communication between individuals involved
• Focus on desired result of the parent task is clearly defined
• Individuals understand how to reach task completion within specific time-frames

These rules determine an opportunity to reach task decomposition under effort estimates. The method offers the following steps for decomposing a parent task:

• Identify goals and desired result of the task
• Confirm availability of human resources (HR)
• Analyze abilities and skills of HR and confirm they are sufficient to reach the task’s goals and result
• Identify what types of activity are required to do the task (for example: designing, engineering, marketing, management, others)
• Create roles that relate to required types of activity
• Assign roles to HR
• Break down every role into duties and responsibilities
• Estimate time required for employees to perform their roles and responsibilities
• Create a sub-task for each of the responsibility
• Combine several responsibilities to a single sub-task if they are similar or have the same goal
• Assign sub-tasks to HR, according to role assignments
• Have a clear and structure representation of all sub-tasks and related responsibilities and time-frames
• Develop a decomposition chart that explains what effort (a combination of time, roles and responsibilities) required for performing the parent task.

CentriQS Task Decomposition Solution CentriQS lets users decompose large tasks into smaller sub-tasks for creating work breakdown structures. Task decomposition in CentriQS is a very simple process. Users can either add tasks as subtasks to the parent task or simply "drag'n'drop" them into parent task. When task becomes parent for other tasks its state and duration chages automatically depending on its subtasks.