Work Packages

Work packages are just smaller pieces of related work which are typically done together. Typically a work package contains specific deliverables, or tasks. In many cases these are delivered in pre-assembled chunks, with each job taking on a specified amount of time (e.g, a painting job takes 8 hours, 5 minutes); where the supply chain begins is by collecting the raw materials which are then broken down and refined, mixed, and sent to the manufacturers who will be the ones making the physical goods. After this initial delivery stage, the work package is divided further into smaller work components, such as parts, which are then designed, assembled, manufactured, packaged, and finally shipped to end users for consumption or profit. The larger picture however is one of the most complex pieces of the production process; here is a breakdown of how the production and supply chains process work.

Work packages can either be for a short period of time, or a longer duration such as an 8-hour period or more. Within the scope of a project, work packages may be required to complete a specific amount of work within a specified number of hours. Within a single project, a work package may be required to deliver multiple deliverables within a specific amount of time. Within a single manufacturing department, there may be a single work package which is required to deliver several related or critical deliverables within a certain amount of period of time. Within a project, the overall goal is for a consistent timeline, but due to human error, production delays, overloading of supply ships, or other factors, the goal is not always met.

Work packages are often broken down into different groups, depending on the individual product and the overall business purpose of the project. Within a single project, these may include: planning/preparation, defining and documenting goals, organizing details of the project, identifying drivers of project implementation, implementing solutions, documenting results and assumptions, testing and integration, estimating resources, and lastly, maintaining communication channels and track progress. Each of these activities is integral to the completion of any work package, though they are often conducted in different stages or orders. The overall aim of each stage is to achieve a certain result, which is often dependent on the previous stage. These are some of the important facts that you need to know about, so when you're doing your job interview, keep these things in mind.

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