Clone WBS elements for the common WBS

The common WBS may contain several WBS elements with the same WBS number if these WBS elements have different filters, for example, WBS elements for different countries. Multiple WBS elements with the same number may be used if the cost estimates vary for the same element. For example, the wing WBS element is part of the WBS hierarchy of an aircraft but the cost differs depending on whether the wing is designed and manufactured in the U.S. or Europe. In this case, the common WBS has two WBS elements with the same number, one for U.S. and another for Europe. Applying a filter for the U.S. or for Europe configures the correct WBS element.

To create a similar branch of a WBS element with different filters, you can clone an existing branch of WBS elements. IPP&E clones the WBS elements and all its children as well as the related data and related structure associations. Related data linked to child WBS elements in the source structure are maintained as Related Data on the corresponding child elements in the cloned structure.

Additionally, when creating a WBS structure for a program from the common WBS, you can ignore certain WBS elements. In this case, the ignored WBS elements are not cloned from the common WBS to the program WBS. To add the ignored or missing WBS elements from the common WBS to the project WBS after initial creation, use the cloning capability.