Status as of July 1, 2005: MIL-HDBK-881 approved January 15, 1998 is available for use. View (HTML format) or download (WinZip file size 325KB) the document. The handbook contains the same direction and product definitions as the military standard. While the handbook itself cannot be referenced in a contract, it is an excellent guide for creating effective program and contract WBSs. The WBS Handbook is currently being updated to address advances in technology, modification of the acquisition process, and incorporation of new developmental concepts and approcahes. Final comments are being incorporated and should be completed by the end of July 2005.
Historical Information
MIL-STD-881B, Work Breakdown Structures (WBS) for Defense Materiel Items, was issued on March 25, 1993. This standard improved upon the previous edition in many areas, one of the most significant of which was the addition of a User Guide (Appendix I). In a letter dated October 8, 1993, the Honorable John Deutch, Under Secretary of Defense (Acquisition and Technology), announced the revision and exhorted the DoD Components "to allow contractors the appropriate latitude to implement the WBS requirements." Dr. Deutch strongly believes that "reduction of contractor overhead and management burden" emanates from a clear statement of government needs without constraint on how the requirement is met.On December 20, 1994, Mr. Longuemare, Principal Deputy Under Secretary of Defense (Acquisition & Technology), signed a policy memorandum clarifying DoD policy concerning WBS preparation. It exempts MIL-STD-881B from the June 29, 1994 Secretary of Defense policy requiring a waiver to use a military standard. The memorandum reiterates DoDI 5000.2 guidance that the program WBS will be developed as outlined in MIL-STD-881B and directs attention to the User Guide to avoid improper application. Once a program WBS is developed properly, the solicitation needs to cite MIL-STD-881B "for guidance only" to guide the contractor in extending the contract WBS. This military standard converted to a guidance document effective January 2, 1998 with the approval of the Defense Standards Improvement Council.
