Product flow diagram
Encyclopedia
The Product flow diagram (PFD) is a graphical representation of the order by which a sequence of products is created according to Product based planning
principles. It is related to the Product breakdown structure
(PBS).
It is a prescribed activity of the PRINCE2
project management methodology which mandates the use of Product based planning.
Some important features of the Product Flow Diagram (PFD) include:
- the PFD is a planning aid, not an outcome of planning (like a PERT Chart which looks similar), this is a common cause of confusion amongst project managers
- the PFD should contain all of the products of the Product Breakdown Structure (equivalent to a Work Breakdown Structure)
- the PFD should be kept as simple/ high-level as possible for it to make sense (if additional detail is required, creating a supplementary, detailed PFD can be useful)
- all products should be 'linked in' to the PFD, even if it's only to the start and the finish products
- it's vital not to get too 'hung up' on nuances such as the nature of each logical linkage in setting up a PFD
The PFD is typically created iteratively with Product Descriptions and the Product Breakdown Structure because as a project manager works through the logic they will identify missing products and additional information about products.
Product based planning
Product based planning is a fundamental part of the PRINCE2 approach to project management, and is a method of identifying all of the products that make up or contribute to delivering the objectives of the project, and the associated work required to deliver them.- Overview :Product breakdown...
principles. It is related to the Product breakdown structure
Product breakdown structure
In project management, a product breakdown structure is a tool for analysing, documenting and communicating the outcomes of a project, and forms part of the product based planning technique....
(PBS).
It is a prescribed activity of the PRINCE2
PRINCE2
PRojects IN Controlled Environments 2 is a structured project management method endorsed by the UK government as the project management standard for public projects. The methodology encompasses the management, control and organisation of a project...
project management methodology which mandates the use of Product based planning.
Some important features of the Product Flow Diagram (PFD) include:
- the PFD is a planning aid, not an outcome of planning (like a PERT Chart which looks similar), this is a common cause of confusion amongst project managers
- the PFD should contain all of the products of the Product Breakdown Structure (equivalent to a Work Breakdown Structure)
- the PFD should be kept as simple/ high-level as possible for it to make sense (if additional detail is required, creating a supplementary, detailed PFD can be useful)
- all products should be 'linked in' to the PFD, even if it's only to the start and the finish products
- it's vital not to get too 'hung up' on nuances such as the nature of each logical linkage in setting up a PFD
The PFD is typically created iteratively with Product Descriptions and the Product Breakdown Structure because as a project manager works through the logic they will identify missing products and additional information about products.