Product flow diagram

The product flow diagram (PFD) is a 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).

The product flow diagram is a prescribed activity of the PRINCE2 project management methodology which mandates the use of product-based planning.[1]

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 which looks similar), this is a common cause of confusion among the 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 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

References
  1. What is PRINCE2
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