The product flow diagram (PFD) is a representation of the order by which a sequence of products is created according to
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 (project deliverables) that make up or contribute to delivering the objectives of the project, and the ass ...
principles. It is related to the
product breakdown structure
{{more citations needed, date=January 2021
In project management under the PRINCE2 methodology, a product breakdown structure (PBS) is a tool for analysing, documenting and communicating the outcomes of a project, and forms part of the product ba ...
(PBS).
The product flow diagram is a prescribed activity of the
PRINCE2
PRINCE2 (PRojects IN Controlled Environments) is a structured project management method and practitioner certification programme. PRINCE2 emphasises dividing projects into manageable and controllable stages.
It is adopted in many countries wor ...
project management methodology which mandates the use of
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 (project deliverables) that make up or contribute to delivering the objectives of the project, and the ass ...
.
What is PRINCE2
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Features
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
The program evaluation and review technique (PERT) is a statistical tool used in project management, which was designed to analyze and represent the task (project management), tasks involved in completing a given project.
PERT was originally ...
which looks similar), this is a common cause of confusion among the project managers
* The PFD should contain all the products of the product breakdown structure (equivalent to a work breakdown structure)
* The PFD should be kept as simple and high-level as possible for it to make sense (if additional detail is required, creating a supplementary, detailed product flow diagram can be useful)
* All products should be 'linked into' the product flow diagram, even if it's only to the start and the finish products
* Tt is vital not to get too 'hung up' on nuances such as the nature of each logical linkage in setting up a product flow diagram
The product flow diagram 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.
See also
* Product breakdown structure
{{more citations needed, date=January 2021
In project management under the PRINCE2 methodology, a product breakdown structure (PBS) is a tool for analysing, documenting and communicating the outcomes of a project, and forms part of the product ba ...
* Work breakdown structure
A work-breakdown structure (WBS) in project management and systems engineering is a breakdown of a project into smaller components. It is a key project management element that organizes the team's work into manageable sections. The Project Mana ...
References
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External links
Product Flow Diagram in PRINCE2 wiki
Project management techniques
PRINCE2