• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to footer
Site-Logo
Phone 703-910-2600

Ten Six Consulting

Project and Earned Value Management, Primavera P6 & Deltek Cobra & Acumen Services

703-910-2600
  • Training Classes
    • Primavera P6 Training
    • Deltek Training
    • Earned Value Management Training
    • Project Management Training
    • Open Training Class Dates
  • Scheduling Services
  • Earned Value Mgmt. Services
    • RFP Support
    • Your EVM System
    • Certification
    • Data Analysis and Reporting
    • Post Contract Support
    • Staff Augmentation
    • WBS Guidelines for Government Acquisition Programs (MIL-STD 881D)
  • Tools
    • Primavera P6
      • Knowledge Transfer, Mentoring and Coaching
      • BI Publisher Services
    • Primavera Unifier
    • Deltek Cobra
      • Knowledge Transfer, Coaching and Mentoring
      • Staff Augmentation
    • Microsoft Project to Primavera P6 Conversion Services
    • Microsoft Project
      • Building an Integrated Master Schedule (IMS)
      • Integrating Microsoft Project with Deltek Cobra
      • Migrating From Microsoft Project To Oracle Primavera P6
  • Blog
    • Deltek Acumen
    • Deltek Cobra
    • Earned Value Mgmt
    • Microsoft Project
    • PMO
    • Primavera P6
    • Project Management
    • Risk Management
  • Clients
  • Contact Us
  • Training Classes
    • Primavera P6 Training
    • Deltek Training
    • Earned Value Management Training
    • Project Management Training
    • Open Training Class Dates
  • Scheduling Services
  • Earned Value Mgmt. Services
    • RFP Support
    • Your EVM System
    • Certification
    • Data Analysis and Reporting
    • Post Contract Support
    • Staff Augmentation
    • WBS Guidelines for Government Acquisition Programs (MIL-STD 881D)
  • Tools
    • Primavera P6
      • Knowledge Transfer, Mentoring and Coaching
      • BI Publisher Services
    • Primavera Unifier
    • Deltek Cobra
      • Knowledge Transfer, Coaching and Mentoring
      • Staff Augmentation
    • Microsoft Project to Primavera P6 Conversion Services
    • Microsoft Project
      • Building an Integrated Master Schedule (IMS)
      • Integrating Microsoft Project with Deltek Cobra
      • Migrating From Microsoft Project To Oracle Primavera P6
  • Blog
    • Deltek Acumen
    • Deltek Cobra
    • Earned Value Mgmt
    • Microsoft Project
    • PMO
    • Primavera P6
    • Project Management
    • Risk Management
  • Clients
  • Contact Us

WBS Guidelines for Government Acquisition Programs (MIL-STD 881D)

Earned Value Data Analysis and ReportingWBS Guidelines for Government Acquisition Programs

If you are venturing into the world of government defense contracts, prepare to get familiar with MIL-STD 881D! Here’s everything you need to know about these guidelines, plus some free files to save you time creating your own WBS.

What is MIL-STD 881D?

MIL-STD 881D is the set of guidelines provided by the Department of Defense for the development of a standardized Work Breakdown Structure (WBS).

The principal document in the guidelines is formally called ‘Department of Defense Standard Practice Work Breakdown Structures for Defense Materiel Items’, but you will commonly hear it referred to as the 881 DiD.

Download the MIL-STD 881d PDF or Google MIL-STD 881D to find it on the website of your choice.

What is MIL-STD 881D used for?

The standards are critical in providing the government and contractor with a uniform and consistent approach to a program’s data structure. This assists with good communication between the two parties throughout the lifecycle of the program.

Benefits of adopting the WBS guidelines

The benefits of the standardized approach to WBS creation include:

  • Clear segregation of the materiel item into its component parts
  • Effective assignment of management and technical responsibilities
  • Aid with status tracking for all elements of the program’s cost, schedule and technical performance
  • Consistent structure for the earned value management system

Above all else, MIL-STD-881D standard provides a clear starting point for program development down to and including level four of the WBS. At the same time, they provide both unambiguous guidelines and flexibility for program managers below the fourth level.

That means there are no restrictions when working to match the government reporting requirements with a realistic schedule that can be executed by the contractor.

Standard Work Breakdown Structures in government contracting

MIL-STD-881D provides 11 standard work breakdown structures within appendices A to K. Each WBS is clearly defined with a punctuated significant WBS code and description. Each WBS is designated specifically for a particular type of defense system.

Free Download – WBS Structure Files

Save time with our free, ready-made CSV files containing the complete MIL-STD-881D WBS for each of the current defense systems.

Each CSV files contains a simple two-column structure (Code and Description) for easy loading into such tools as Deltek Cobra, Deltek MPM, Primavera P6, Microsoft Project and of course Microsoft Excel.

You can use these as the basis for a new schedule, EVMS code file or WBS Dictionary without having to type them in from scratch.

MIL-STD-881D WBS

Click on the links below to download the relevant CSV file you are interested in.

APPENDIX A Aircraft System

APPENDIX B Electronic System

APPENDIX C Missile/Ordnance Systems System

APPENDIX D Strategic Missiles Systems

APPENDIX E Sea System

APPENDIX F Space System

APPENDIX G Ground Vehicle System

APPENDIX H Unmanned Maritime System

APPENDIX I Launch Vehicle Systems

APPENDIX J Information Systems/Defense Business Systems

Great class. The instructor going “off book” was interesting and very useful. We continue to use Ten Six and I would definitely recommend them!
Michelle KomadaISR Systems
This was an excellent class with an excellent instructor who not only showed how the system worked, but also was able to provide real world examples, which was extremely helpful. I can only say that this was one of the best training classes I have ever taken and it feels so good to walk away truly understanding the material! I look forward to using Ten Six in the future for any additional consulting and training needs my organization may have. Thanks for a terrific training class!
Loretta ChanceL3
Ian was very helpful and did a great job of tailoring his approach to meet our situation and needs. He was a great resource in helping us with our approach to implementing Primavera P6 for our project. Great course and follow-on consulting support!
David BementNorthrop Grumman
Ten Six did an excellent job tailoring this private the training session to our team’s abilities and needs. The training was very worthwhile and necessary for our team of Project Managers to make the move from P3 to Primavera P6. Ten Six’s comprehensive migration support made the whole process very efficient and smooth!
Richard F. Fiore, Jr.Leonard S. Fiore, Inc.
The Ten Six team are our ‘Go To’ for any Primavera P6 related implementation services, support and training. We’re impressed with their expertise, professionalism and responsiveness. Ten Six is very easy to work with.
Jimmy BadnerSkanska
Excellent delivery and great team! We also appreciate the supplemental information Ten Six was able to provide (Report Developer’s field manual).
Jim AutreyUCOR - Oak Ridge, TN
Ten Six has been a great help in assisting us in completing our EVMS procedures and helping to train and prepare the team for a future contract award. We have greatly appreciated your teams help over the past months and will continue to look to leverage your assistance in the future. Thanks again.
Eric JonesonOshkosh Corporation

Footer

Upcoming Classes

Primavera P6 Professional Fundamentals
Primavera P6 EPPM Fundamentals
Primavera P6 EPPM Administrator
Primavera P6 BI Publisher Fundamentals
Deltek Cobra Fundamentals
Deltek Cobra Advanced
Deltek Acumen Fuse
Deltek Acumen Risk

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • Twitter
  • Consulting Services
  • About Ten Six
  • Contact Us
  • Blog

Copyright © 2023 Ten Six Consulting, LLC · 703.910.2600

  • Training Classes
    ▼
    • Primavera P6 Training
    • Deltek Training
    • Earned Value Management Training
    • Project Management Training
    • Open Training Class Dates
  • Scheduling Services
  • Earned Value Mgmt. Services
    ▲
    • RFP Support
    • Your EVM System
    • Certification
    • Data Analysis and Reporting
    • Post Contract Support
    • Staff Augmentation
    • WBS Guidelines for Government Acquisition Programs (MIL-STD 881D)
  • Tools
    ▼
    • Primavera P6
      ▼
      • Knowledge Transfer, Mentoring and Coaching
      • BI Publisher Services
    • Primavera Unifier
    • Deltek Cobra
      ▼
      • Knowledge Transfer, Coaching and Mentoring
      • Staff Augmentation
    • Microsoft Project to Primavera P6 Conversion Services
    • Microsoft Project
      ▼
      • Building an Integrated Master Schedule (IMS)
      • Integrating Microsoft Project with Deltek Cobra
      • Migrating From Microsoft Project To Oracle Primavera P6
  • Blog
    ▼
    • Deltek Acumen
    • Deltek Cobra
    • Earned Value Mgmt
    • Microsoft Project
    • PMO
    • Primavera P6
    • Project Management
    • Risk Management
  • Clients
  • Contact Us