When it comes to product development, there are several factors that need to be taken into account. One of these is the product breakdown structure, or PBS for short. This is a chart that is considered as a project artifact in project management methodologies. It mainly shows the deliverables and components of a product. This artifact is generally used in projects for planning purposes based on product.
There are different reasons why you might need a PBS. One of the most common reasons is when you're starting a new project and need to get an overview of all the deliverables that need to be completed in order to bring the product to market. This can help you to create a timeline and assign tasks to team members.
Another time when you might need a PBS is if you're making changes to an existing product. In this case, you'll want to use the PBS to help you understand how the changes will impact the overall product.
How to Create a Product Breakdown Structure
There are a few things to keep in mind when creating a PBS. First, it's important to make sure that all the deliverables are clearly defined. You also need to make sure that the components are properly categorized and that there's a clear relationship between them.
Lastly, it's important to note that the PBS is not a static document. It should be updated as needed to reflect changes in the product or the project.
Work Breakdown Structure vs Product Breakdown Structure
Product breakdown structure is a hierarchical chart that is used to break down a complex product or project into manageable components. It is quite similar to work breakdown structure, but there are some key differences between the two.
The main purpose of a product breakdown structure is to provide a clear and concise overview of all the products that make up a larger project. This information can be used to help with planning, execution, and communication.
A work breakdown structure, on the other hand, is mainly used for project management purposes. It breaks down the work that needs to be done in order to complete a project, and helps to schedule and track these tasks.
A well-prepared product breakdown structure can be helpful to create and use a WBS. While WBS depicts us the method and work packages to achieve the top hierarchical point, a product breakdown structure shows us the essence and components of the top hierarchical point. It is a good tool to detail components of a product clearly.
Meetings with the project team, meetings with relevant stakeholders, or brainstorming sessions are used to explore components of the final product. Product breakdown structure is usually used in the processes of the following performance domains: