The Resource Breakdown Structure (RBS) is a hierarchical representation of all project resources organized by category and type. In the PMBOK Guide 8th Edition, the RBS is a key tool within the Plan Resource Management process of the Resources Performance Domain. A comprehensive resource breakdown structure template provides a structured view of every resource the project needs — human, material, equipment, and facilities — enabling accurate estimation, acquisition planning, and cost allocation.

Why You Need a Resource Breakdown Structure Template

Projects consume a wide variety of resources, and managing them effectively requires a clear taxonomy. A well-designed resource breakdown structure template organizes resources into a hierarchy that mirrors how they are planned, acquired, and managed. This structure supports resource estimation by ensuring no category is overlooked, enables cost roll-up calculations from individual resources to categories, and provides a framework for resource utilization reporting. The resource breakdown structure template also serves as a communication tool, helping stakeholders understand the full resource landscape and identify potential constraints or conflicts across projects in a portfolio.

Template Sections

This resource breakdown structure template is an Excel spreadsheet with the following structure:

1. RBS Code — Hierarchical code (e.g., 1.0, 1.1, 1.1.1) for each resource category and item
2. Resource Category — Top-level classification (Human Resources, Equipment, Materials, Facilities, Services)
3. Resource Name — Specific resource identifier
4. Type — Classification (Internal, External, Shared)
5. Unit — Measurement unit (hours, days, units, sqm)
6. Quantity — Required amount
7. Unit Cost — Cost per unit
8. Total Cost — Auto-calculated (Quantity x Unit Cost)
9. Pre-Populated Categories — Common resource categories pre-filled for quick customization

PMBOK 8 Features

• Hierarchical RBS Codes — Multi-level coding system that supports drill-down analysis from category level to individual resource items
• Cost Formulas — Built-in calculations for total cost by resource and category roll-ups, eliminating manual math errors
• Pre-Populated Categories — Common resource categories (Human Resources, Equipment, Materials, Facilities, Services) pre-filled with typical sub-categories to accelerate setup
• Resource Domain Alignment — Structure follows PMBOK 8's Resources Performance Domain, covering both team and physical resource management

Related PMBOK 8 Templates

Complete your resource management toolkit with these related templates:

• Resource Management Plan — PMBOK 8
• Resource Requirements — PMBOK 8

Format: Microsoft Excel (.xlsx) | PMBOK Edition: 8th (2025) | Domain: Resources | Process: Plan Resource Management