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What is Process Planning?

Malcolm Tatum
Malcolm Tatum
Malcolm Tatum
Malcolm Tatum

Process planning is a key element in project management that focuses on selecting resources for use in the execution and completion of a project. In a manufacturing setting, this aspect of planning also includes establishing the general sequence of steps that begin with the acquisition of materials and end with the creation of a finished product. Process planning is often closely associated with project planning, although the specific functions of each tool are used differently in the overall strategic planning.

While both process and project planning are necessary to give form and focus to any project, each procedure fulfills specific needs. Process planning helps to create the general process necessary to reach an ultimate goal, such as the creation of a product or the development of a marketing campaign. Project planning looks at each of the steps or processes identified in process planning and defines the specific actions that must take place in order for each of the processes to be completed successfully. In a sense, a process plan provides the framework for a procedure while a project plan provides the specifics of how to complete each step or process necessary to achieve the desired outcome.

Process planning helps to create the general process necessary to reach an ultimate goal.
Process planning helps to create the general process necessary to reach an ultimate goal.

Process planning is not a new concept. The strategy has been utilized in business circles for centuries. Private and non-profit organizations often use this same type of planning when structuring a new project or directive. While the amount of detail involved will depend greatly on the scope of the project and the culture of the business or entity conducting the project, the planning works in just about any setting where a group of people wish to determine how to reach a specific goal.

In a manufacturing setting, this type of planning may also address concerns that are related to the steps identified as necessary to create a product. For example, the plan may also address issues such as designing the packaging or labeling for the final product, as well as the creation of user instructions that accompany each unit that is sold.

Today, the use of process planning software is common in both small businesses and large corporations. Sometimes a component in a comprehensive project management software package, it is also possible to purchase computer aided process planning software to compliment other systems. Along with off-the-shelf products, it is not unusual for companies to develop in house software to aid in this task. The proprietary software is especially helpful when the operation of the company involves the use of data or procedures that are don’t fit well with generic software programs.

Malcolm Tatum
Malcolm Tatum

After many years in the teleconferencing industry, Michael decided to embrace his passion for trivia, research, and writing by becoming a full-time freelance writer. Since then, he has contributed articles to a variety of print and online publications, including WiseGEEK, and his work has also appeared in poetry collections, devotional anthologies, and several newspapers. Malcolm’s other interests include collecting vinyl records, minor league baseball, and cycling.

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Malcolm Tatum
Malcolm Tatum

After many years in the teleconferencing industry, Michael decided to embrace his passion for trivia, research, and writing by becoming a full-time freelance writer. Since then, he has contributed articles to a variety of print and online publications, including WiseGEEK, and his work has also appeared in poetry collections, devotional anthologies, and several newspapers. Malcolm’s other interests include collecting vinyl records, minor league baseball, and cycling.

Learn more...

Discussion Comments

GamerDan

@dna50- My top suggestion in this would be to focus on having a solid strategic plan. Whether you are working on the web site or the products themselves you cannot go wrong in having a solid plan in place for the business,. It can help you with planning, draw in investors and even make it easier for you to take a broader role in the company once it starts to grow. You cannot get to where you want to be without a very good idea of where that actually is. Ask yourself these three questions, “What do we do?”, “For whom do we do it?”, and “How do we excel?” and you are going to find that your strategic plan grows out of those answers very naturally.

DNA50

I have been looking into the website planning process and from what I am reading here that is probably a good idea. I want to build a web site to see things on and I want to make sure that it turns out to be a really good experience for my customers. I have been to too many bad websites that just turned me off to whatever the people were selling. Can anyone suggest what my focus should be at first or where a good starting point would be in this?

Katzdad

The process of planning can make the difference in the success or failure of a company. Many small businesses fail because they just do not think that they need to plan as much as larger companies, when the truth is that they need to plan even more. They rarely have the resources to weather an emergency or bad choice in the way that larger companies do. This article describes planning in the way a large company might do it, but for a small company it can be as simple as making lists of how they are going to react to different scenarios and problems that might come up over the course of the business.

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    • Process planning helps to create the general process necessary to reach an ultimate goal.
      By: Photographee.eu
      Process planning helps to create the general process necessary to reach an ultimate goal.