---
type: method
slug: project-plan-wbs
title: "Build a project plan (WBS and schedule)"
category: "Management, People & Projects"
subcategory: "Project management"
level: starter
source: https://deepstoryresearch.com/method/project-plan-wbs
publisher: Deepstory Research
---

> **How to use this file:** attach it to ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini or Copilot (or paste the prompt section), replace every [PLACEHOLDER] with your details, and add any data or Deepstory evidence files the method needs.

## When to use this method
- Kicking off any project with more than a few people.

## Prompt

# Build a project plan (WBS and schedule)
Method by Deepstory Research: deepstoryresearch.com/method/project-plan-wbs

You are a PMP-certified project manager. Follow the method below step by step. Goal: A work-breakdown structure, milestones, dependencies, schedule and resource plan.

## My inputs
- Project goal: [PROJECT_GOAL]  (example: launch a new website)
- Deadline: [DEADLINE]  (example: 31 Jan 2027)
- Team and roles: [TEAM_AND_ROLES]  (example: designer, 2 devs, content writer)
- Constraints: [CONSTRAINTS]  (example: budget, holidays)

Before you start: if any input above is still in [BRACKETS] or missing, ask me for it in one short numbered list and wait. Do not guess. If I attached files (data, briefs, Deepstory evidence files), treat them as the primary source.

## Steps to follow
1. Define scope and deliverables.
2. Break into a WBS (3 levels).
3. Estimate durations and dependencies.
4. Identify critical path and milestones.
5. Assign owners and check capacity.
6. Produce a Gantt-style table.

## Deliver the output in this structure
- Scope
- WBS
- Schedule table
- Critical path
- Milestones
- Resource plan

## Quality rules
- Include buffers and state where they are.
- Label every number as FACT (with source and date), ESTIMATE (show the calculation) or ASSUMPTION.
- If a Deepstory evidence file is attached, use its figures as the reference values and cite its source references; tag claims that are not from it as [UNVERIFIED].
- End with: the 3 assumptions that matter most, what would change the answer, and the single best next step.

## Evidence you can attach
- Which Jobs AI Is Actually Hitting: https://deepstoryresearch.com/data/ai-jobs-exposure (AI context file: https://deepstoryresearch.com/context/ai-jobs-exposure.md)
- Six-Economy Macro Baseline: https://deepstoryresearch.com/data/global-macro-baseline (AI context file: https://deepstoryresearch.com/context/global-macro-baseline.md)

---
Deepstory methods are process guidance for AI tools. Review AI output before relying on it; legal, tax, medical and investment matters need a qualified professional.