What is a Workstream? And What is a Workstream Leader?

Two common terms in many projects – particularly traditional, predictive projects – are Workstream and Workstream Leader. So, what are they?

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Defining Workstreams

What do the Manuals say about Workstreams

None of the big manuals of Project Management mention workstreams, let alone explain them. Here, I include:

• The PMI’s Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge – the PMBOK Guide – neither the current, 7^th edition, nor the more expansive 6^th edition
• The APM’s Body of Knowledge, the APMBoK
• The PRINCE2 manual, Managing Successful Projects
• My trusty PM textbook, Project Management, a Managerial Approach, by Merdith and Mantel

Are Workstreams Real?

So, are workstreams a real thing?

Well, yes, they are. And there are two ways to think of them.

Gantt Chart view of Workstreams

On a Gantt Chart, we can literally see streams of activities. Each one runs in parallel to other streams of activity. These are, therefore, work streams.

And the people who lead those streams of work? You guessed it! They are Work Stream Leaders.

Work Breakdown Structure view of Workstreams

The other way to look at Work Streams is on a Work Breakdown Structure, or WBS. At the top level, we break the work down into major areas. These are the top-level work streams – again, head up by a work stream leader. These are often based on a particular function, technology type, or geographic region.

So, I shall turn to my own free guide, ‘Be on the Inside: Decode the Jargon of Project Management’ defines work stream as

‘A subset of the Work Breakdown Structure that is allocated to a single manager, the Work Stream Leader.’

By the way, if you are looking for a basic Project Management book that does mention Work Streams… You can do a lot worse than my own book, How to Manage a Great Project. Or, better still, why not take one of my core Project Management courses at OnlinePMCourses.com?

Recommended Videos to Help with Workstreams

Carefully curated video recommendations for you:

• What is a Gantt Chart? | Video
• How to Create a Gantt Chart in 9 Easy Steps | Video
• What is a Work Breakdown Structure – WBS? | Video
• How to Create a Work Breakdown Structure: A WBS Masterclass | Video
• What is a Work Package? | Video
• What is a Statement of Work (SOW)? | Video

Recommended Articles to Help with Workstreams

• Project Work Domain: The Processes to Enable Effective Project Management
• Beyond Gantt Charts: How to Boost your Project with the Critical Chain Method

What Kit does a Project Manager Need?

I asked Project Managers in a couple of forums what material things you need to have, to do your job as a Project Manager. They responded magnificently. I compiled their answers into a Kit list. I added my own. 

Check out the Kit a Project Manager needs

Note that the links are affiliated.

Learn Still More

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For more of our Project Management videos in themed collections, join our Free Academy of Project Management.

For more of our videos in themed collections, join our Free Academy of Project Management.