18David Sowden, The University of Hull

57086 Contract and Project Management

David Sowden, The University of Hull

1857086 Contract and Project Management

Product-based planning techniques

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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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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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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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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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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Cup

Producing a Product Breakdown structure

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Cup of tea

Kettle intermediate

Cup intermediate Tea Simple Milk Simple

Kettle Filled kettle

Boiled kettle

Washed cup

Cup with

boiled water

Teabag Milk

EXAMPLE

Producing a Product Breakdown structureEXAMPLEMoved Shed

1. Old Shed 2. Dismantled Shed

3.New Requirements

4.Re-Assembled Shed

2.1 Rotten Pieces

2.2 Re-Usable Pieces

4.2 Transport Pieces4.1 New Pieces

3.1 Shed Dimensions

3.2 New Piece Requirements 3.3 Prepared Site 3.4 New Fixtures

& Fittings3.5 Fixtures & Fittings List

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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EXAMPLEProduct Breakdown Structure for organising a conference

Conference

requireddate

Venuegrouping

Delegatesgrouping

Publicitygrouping

Structure &format

grouping

Delegatehandout

pack

List of venuesrequirements

List ofpossiblevenues

Mail Shot

Pressrelease

Selectedtheme

On-the-daystaff

Venueenquires

Selected andbooked venue

Agreedprogramme

Feedbackform

Slidesand notes

Printedagenda

Cover

Bookedspeakers

Speakerinvitations

Speakeroptions

Bookingarrangements

Finalattendance

list

Speakersgrouping

Mailinglist Responses

Mail shotsFeedback

form

Booking requirements

Selected and booked venue

Venue enquires

List of possible venues

Agreed programme

Printed agenda

Slides and NotesCovers

List of venue requirements

Press release

Delegate handout pack

On-the-day staff

Conference

Selected theme

Responses

Mailing list

Booked speakers

required date

Final attendance list

Product Flow Diagram for

organising a conference

Speaker invitations

Speaker options

EXAMPLE

TASK

Review your Planning techniques