3. Overview
• Product-based planning techniques
– The four products of product-based planning
– The benefits of product-based planning
– Producing a Product Description of the Final product
– Producing a Product Breakdown structure
– Writing a Product Description
– Product-based Planning examples
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4. The four product of product-based planning
• Four products are created within this technique
– A Product Description of the final product of the project
– A Product Breakdown Structure
– Product Descriptions of each product
– A Product Flow Diagram
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5. The benefits of product-based planning
It focuses on the final product
and thereby ensures that all
breakdowns and activities add
value and contribute to that
final product.
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6. Producing a Product Description of the Final product
• Purpose
– Understand the detailed nature, purpose and function of the product
– Identify the sources of information or supply for the product
– Describe the required appearance of the product
– Identify the level of quality required of the product
– Enable identification of activities to develop and quality control the product
– Define the people or skills required to develop and check the product.
• (templates available - Project Product Description and Project Description for
each product with the whole project)
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7. Producing a Product Breakdown structure
• The second task in product based planning is to product a Product
Breakdown structure
– Identify the product to be created of obtained by the planned work
– Identify additional products needed to build and support the final product
– Build a consensus on the best product groupings that should be used to
generate ideas on what products have to be created or obtained.
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8. Producing a Product Breakdown structure
EXAMPLE
Cup of tea
Kettle Cup
Tea Simple Milk Simple
intermediate intermediate
Cup
Filled Boiled Washed
Kettle Cup with Teabag Milk
kettle kettle cup
boiled
water
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9. Producing a Product Breakdown structureEX
AMPLE
Moved Shed
2. Dismantled 3.New 4.Re-Assembled
1. Old Shed
Shed Requirements Shed
2.1 Rotten 2.2 Re-Usable 4.2 Transport
4.1 New Pieces
Pieces Pieces Pieces
3.1 Shed 3.2 New Piece 3.4 New Fixtures 3.5 Fixtures &
3.3 Prepared Site
Dimensions Requirements & Fittings Fittings List
10. Writing a Product Description
Product descriptions can be useful as part of product-based planning for
the following reasons:
• They establish the criteria for user acceptance;
• They act as a checklist for project deliverables;
• They clarify what each product is required to deliver.
Once the Product Breakdown Structure (PBS) has been completed, the
product descriptions can be written. (see templates)
These should be checked with relevant stakeholders and ideally signed off by
the sponsor or project board.
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11. Conference
Delegate Structure &
required Venue Delegates Publicity
handout format
date grouping grouping grouping
pack grouping
List of
List of venues Mail Press Selected On-the-day
possible
requirements Shot release theme staff
venues
Venue Selected and Agreed
enquires booked programme
venue
Final
Mailing Booking Speakers
attendance Responses
list arrangements grouping
list
EXAMPLE Speaker
options
Speaker
invitations
Booked
speakers
Product Breakdown
Structure for Cover Printed Slides Feedback
agenda and notes form
organising a conference
12. required
Selected date
theme
List of venue
Speaker
requirements
options
Booking
requirements
Speaker List of possible
invitations venues
Booked Venue
speakers enquires
Mailing list
Agreed
Selected and
programme
booked venue
Mail shots
Slides and Printed Feedback
Covers
Notes agenda form Press release
Delegate handout pack
Final Responses
attendance list
EXAMPLE On-the-day
staff Product Flow
Diagram for
Conference organising a conference
