Overview
The Product Breakdown Structure graphically represents the relationship between the products and sub-products in a project. To create a Product Breakdown Structure firstly identify those products required by the Customer. Then identify the further products needed to build and support the Customer's products i.e. the management products such as the plans and reports. Using the Project Team's input consider what groupings are appropriate for the products when displaying them on the Product Breakdown Structure.
Drawn in a hierarchical structure from the top down the first box summarises the overall project. It may initially be useful to breakdown products into specialist and management products i.e. the parts of a car and the project and stage plans and reports required. When adding in the management products do not try to take into account different versions just consider the final version.
Subsequent products represented are called intermediate products and represent the major specialist products of each product group. Products 'last' on the tree are termed 'simple' products. Those products that are provided by 3rd parties or already exist (i.e. are outside the scope of the project) are represented by ellipses rather than boxes.
Product Breakdown Structures are included in the Project Plan, Stage Plan the Team Plan and Work Package. Each Product Breakdown Structure is more detailed than in the plan preceeding it and its structure may vary.
Tips
- Ask yourself if all products to satisfy the Business need have been identified.
- Be sure to identify all products outside the scope of the project.
- Remember that every external product represents a risk.
Notes
- First step in part of Product Based Planning
- Breakdown a product into its sub-products
- Products include:
- Specialist Product Breakdown Structure (the tangible or intangible end deliverable and products required to produce it)
- Management Product Breakdown Structure (includes all documents produced during the project).
Case studies and examples
Related links
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