Beyond the WBS: The Integration Relationship Diagramming Method (IRDM)
Beyond the WBS: The Integration Relationship Diagramming Method (IRDM)
For more than half a century, the Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) has been the foundation of program organization and project controls. It defines scope, establishes hierarchy, and supports compliance across industries. But modern programs have outgrown it.
What You'll Learn
Key takeaways from this session
By the end of this session, participants will be able to:
Identify systemic conflicts in existing project structuring guidance across MIL-STD-881F, NDIA EVMS Intent Guide, IP2M METRR, AACE TCM, PMBOK 7, and NASA PP&C standards
Explain the limitations of hybrid WBS approaches to integration and understand why adding reporting dimensions as WBS levels multiplies control accounts exponentially
Describe the four structural domains used in IRDM: Common Structure (WBS, OBS, Control Accounts, Work Packages), Contract Structure (CLINs, SLINs, delivery orders), Accounting Structure (charge numbers, cost collection), and Program-Specific Structure (phases, cost elements, EV methods)
Apply IRDM principles to design lean, compliant, and scalable project structures that separate hierarchy from integration using metadata relationships
Implement metadata-driven work package coding that enables instant rollups and filtering across multiple dimensions without creating unnecessary control accounts
Leverage IRDM techniques to reduce process overhead, maintain Control Account integrity, and enable powerful multi-dimensional reporting for complex programs
Earn PDU Credits
PMI Professional Development Units
Total PDUs Available
For credential maintenance
PDU Breakdown
Ways of Working
Technical & process skills
Business Acumen
Strategic & organizational
Power Skills
Leadership & interpersonal
Watch the complete webinar to claim your PDU credits and maintain your PMI certification.
About the Presenter
Jeffrey Christoph
Jeffrey Christoph is a subject matter expert in project management, project controls, Earned Value Management Systems (EVMS), and business process optimization. He specializes in delivering practical, scalable solutions that integrate advanced technology with robust management practices. As co-founder and technical lead at Transformative Management Solutions, Jeff continues to lead development efforts on modern, scalable project control solutions including the TMS Project Foundational Framework and Djobu EVMS. His approach combines hands-on technical expertise with strategic process improvement. Previously, Jeff served as Corporate Senior Director of Business Operations at Leonardo DRS, where he led the design and deployment of a corporate-wide EVMS across eight business units. His work culminated in a successful DCMA-compliant EVMS rating for the Naval Electronics business unit—a first for the company’s ~$3 billion defense sector. Jeff’s background includes consulting for large-scale PMOs and EVMS implementations and executive roles at L-3 Communications, where he focused on international program development and integrated project control systems. Technical Expertise MS Project (Online, Server, Professional) Microsoft Power Platform (Power BI, PowerApps, Dataverse) Software Development and Design (VBA, Power Query, DAX, C#)
