What is a 'work package' in project management?

A work package in project management is defined as a group of related tasks that are organized for planning and execution within a project. It is a crucial component of breaking down the project into manageable parts, allowing project managers to allocate resources, assign responsibilities, and estimate durations. Each work package typically has specific deliverables and can be tracked and monitored throughout the project lifecycle. It serves to structure the project in a way that enables efficient management and oversight, ensuring that each segment of the project aligns with broader project goals.

The other concepts suggested in the options—such as an overall project timeline, a tool for risk assessment, and a document detailing project scope—do not accurately capture the definition of a work package. An overall project timeline focuses on the scheduling aspect, a risk assessment tool addresses potential project risks, and a document detailing project scope specifies what is included and excluded in the project, but none directly describe the grouping of related tasks as a work package does.