How to Create and Manage Sub-projects

Sub-projects are smaller projects subordinated to and aligned with broader projects that belong to the same hierarchy. Using smaller projects in managing larger projects or programs is a great way to reach simplicity and effectiveness in project management. By creating sub-projects it is possible to define and assess an amount of work effort required to complete root projects.

The best way to define and manage sub-projects is through using task decomposition that shows a certain workflow of small tasks and sub-tasks to be performed in order for related sub-projects to be completed. Task decomposition is a hierarchical work breakdown structure that includes tasks as basic elements and describes certain levels or steps necessary for accomplishing related work.

Here is a quick guide to creating and managing sub-projects through task decomposition:

• Identify a board project that will be divided into smaller projects
• Define goals for this project
• Determine key activities or steps that characterize the life-cycle of the broad project
• Assign one or more sub-projects to each of the life-cycle steps
• Define goals for sub-projects
• Break down every sub-project into tasks (smaller measurable and observable activities)
• Define goals for tasks in every sub-project
• Figure out if there is a need to divide tasks into sub-tasks
• Identify controls for managing sub-projects and their tasks ad sub-tasks
• Estimate resources required for sub-projects
• Allocate labor to sub-projects and their content
• Use milestones to track and monitor status and performance of sub-projects and related activities.

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.