What involves breaking a large project down into a series of smaller tasks?

Breaking a large project down into a series of smaller tasks is known as creating a Work Breakdown Structure (WBS). This process is fundamental in project management as it allows for a comprehensive view of the project by decomposing it into manageable components. Each smaller task or component is easier to plan, assign, track, and manage, facilitating better resource allocation and risk management throughout the project's lifecycle.

A Work Breakdown Structure provides clarity on deliverables and helps project teams understand the scope of work involved. By defining tasks in this way, project managers can more accurately estimate timeframes and costs associated with each segment, leading to a more organized approach throughout the execution of the project.

Other project elements, such as risk assessment or Gantt chart creation, may utilize the organized tasks defined in a WBS, but they do not specifically involve the breakdown of the project into smaller units like a WBS does. Developing a project charter outlines the project's objectives and scope rather than breaking it down into tasks, which distinguishes it from the WBS process.