What is a Work Package in Erasmus+ Project Management?

Subscribe to Our Blog

business documents on office table with smart phone and digital tablet and graph financial with social network diagram and man working in the background

When talking about Erasmus+ project management, you might come across the term work package. If you’re wondering what it is, the main difference between a work package and activities is that a work package represents a tangible work product whereas a series of activities are required to be done in order to accomplish the result represented by the work package. In a way, a work package is a mini-project and just like a project, your work package will include lots of elements, such as a budget, material(s), human resources, schedules and milestones. A work package is a building block of the work breakdown structure that allows the Erasmus+ project management to define the steps necessary for completion of the work. As such, a work package can be thought of as a sub-project, which, when combined with other work package units, form the completed Erasmus+ project. Completion of a work package is most often overseen by a specific person, a manager, a supervisor, a team lead, or a designated team member. 

Tasks and Work Units 

Each Erasmus+ project is broken down into tasks. The latter is divided into work packages which are the groups of duties connected to achieving the project's goals. Work packages are further divided into work units. Projects are considered to be the most explicit ultimate tasks which the company needs to carry out. A work package is generally decided on according to the following characteristics they have in common: 

  • Nature of work involved (e.g. marketing, programming, etc.). 
  • Outcomes of the tasks. 
  • Geographical location where tasks take place. 
  • Time when tasks will be completed. 
  • Technology or materials that will be used. 
  • Team leaders in charge. 
  • Specific stakeholders. 

Work packages give project managers more control over workloads. Other advantages include allowing many teams to work simultaneously on different components of a project. Each team completes their tasks as part of the work package. 

How to Write a Work Plan Document 

How to create a work plan: 

  • Identify the name of the project, its purpose and a general timeline. 
  • Put the work plan into context. 
  • Establish your goals and objectives. 
  • Define and coordinate your resource. 
  • Understand any constraints. 
  • Discuss risks and accountability. 

Read also the following blogs:

The Role of  Project Manager in Erasmus+ Programme

Five Stages of Erasmus+ Project Management

Erasmus+: How to Plan and Present Your Management System

Comments: