PMcrunch

I have encountered misunderstandings numerous times due to different concepts of the meaning of the word ‘plan’, especially the difference between a ‘project plan’ versus a so-called ’product plan’.  There are various types of plans.  In Project Integration Management, we pull together various aspects of the project plan, which taken separately actually represent separate plans.  One of the sub-component plans is the Configuration Management Plan.

Project Integration Management and the Project Plan
The Project Integration Management is the point where all aspects of a project are pulled together, or integrated.  This point of ‘integration’ is a great place to put into perspective the difference between the project plan and the product plan.

The Project Management Plan as a whole, or the Project Integration Plan, is the integration of the various constituent plans of the project plan, including:

• Scope Management Plan
• Schedule Management Plan
• Cost Management Plan
• Quality Management Plan
• Staffing Management Plan
• Communication Management Plan
• Risk Management Plan
• Procurement Management Plan

Configuration Management
The ’Product Plan’, as it is sometimes referred to, is actually a proxy for the Configuration Management Plan.  In this plan, part of the integrated Project Plan, the specifications for the product of the project are controlled.  This is where the different versions of the product plans and specifications are managed.  It includes a change control system, termed Integrated Change Control in the PMBOK, where the process for introducing and accepting changes to the product scope takes place for the project.

How versus What
A very simple way of distinguishing between the Project Plan and the Product Plan is to use 2 simple words:  how and what.  The Product Plan describes WHAT is to be produced.  The project plan describes HOW it is to be produced.  Very often technical people, such as engineers and product designers, can misunderstand this distinction because of their focus on the product itself.  Describing the various aspects of the project plan by leveraging this distinction between the what and the how can help the project manager and product managers to communicate more clearly and to gain the perspective needed to deliver successful products and projects.
________________________________________
John Reiling, PMP
Project Management Training Online
Lean Six Sigma Training Online