Is template an input or a tool/technique?

Submitted by Antoine D on Sun, 06/10/2012 - 00:55

Create WBS process uses template as an input (organizational process assets)

Define activity process uses template as a tool/technique.

As for me a template is something that we used to not start from scratch; template is the base that we use to build our own WBS or activity list.

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sspawar

Sun, 06/10/2012 - 02:41

 As per PMBOK OPA is the input of create WBS, and not templates of OPA.

regards

saket_pmp

Sun, 06/10/2012 - 14:52

Always think real life, otherwise book words will keep confusing you and it would be difficult to attempt situational PMP questions. Templates can be used in Inputs, T&T and Outputs, always see the situation first. That is the reason you see the word “Templates” scattered in PMBOK across many project phases/IITO.


When you say “As for me a template is something that we used to not start from scratch; template is the base that we use to build our own WBS or activity list.” I do not agree as what matters is more the information and data. I can pull a template for a student record and just use filed name and nothing else. As I have deleted all information (data), I am actually using template from start. Keep in mind it’s the information (data) that tells you whether you are beginning the data collection or adding/updating to existing information (data). When you use template for look and feel, headers, title, fonts and size, column name etc it means you are using template as an input from start (since you did not use any existing data).


I hope this helps.


Saket, PMP

Antoine D

Mon, 06/11/2012 - 13:49

 Template used an input means that we are building our document from the template ("adding/updating to existing information (data)").

Template used as a T&T means that it helps us to identify useful information and that we do not build our document from the template (" data collection").

Do I get it righ?

 

Could you give an example of template used as an output?

 

Pawar you said "As per PMBOK OPA is the input of create WBS, and not templates of OPA." This is what I meant to say, that we have the OPA and that it includes template.

Antoine D

Tue, 06/12/2012 - 01:04

 I think I get it wrong.

create WBS, template is an input

we use the WBS template to collect information, identify standard decomposition. E.g. if we represent PM activities, we will use the template to gather those list of activities and then adjust them based on the specificity of our project.

In that way I would see the template more like an history information.

 

define activity, template is a T&T

 It defines the look and feel of our output document (activity list). E.g. we have a tab with the following columns:  activity id, wbs id, name, description.

The template can also be used in the same way it is used for an input: keep some information (data) from the template. I.e. the template is not empty it contains data that we reuse.

 

could anyone give me some examples of template usages?

saket_pmp

Tue, 06/12/2012 - 07:24

You have understood things close to right. When you think real life you are always right. This is the reason PMBOK does not give example because it’s a research book and they want you to think from the PM experience you have gained.


Some examples of Templates:


1. Input – I am designing a email based web. I refer yahoo and gmail and implement similar email process.
2. T&T – I want to compute income tax and I go to government website and use the IT Tax computation sheet to help me compute my tax. I just used the formula used to calculate the tax and hence it’s a template reference.
3. Output – My team updated an existing document and added many more useful fields in the employee record. I went ahead and updated the employee record template with new updated fields.


When you think real life, you will understand better. These do not need any book references or your PM knowledge. These examples can be used to understand concepts from day to day examples.
 


Saket, PMP

sspawar

Tue, 06/12/2012 - 01:08

you can understand like that

OPA - is the content , a document, is desribed standarised process,.

it may be a book, booklet or resource of information.

Template - is a blank form of any required subject. like blank application form - it is template. it is a tool , by which one can make afilled information.

now filled up information is a document.

Document is not a tool, its template part is tool.

Document may be input or output.

Tea pot is template  while tea is document.

Tea could not be a template.

Tea pot could not be tea, or a content.

Thanks

sspawar

Tue, 06/12/2012 - 03:03

When we go to the Bank.


Generally we have  to  fillup cheque- leaf, withdrawal form, some application forms, this all are nothing but called templates.


Templates are simply form /formates/some short of tabulated framed structured text with blank spaces, to fill in that spaces.


This are the means, tools, by which you can easily filled up the required information, data, and it is easy to understand to a receiver.


 


Templates never be a input, these are  blank containers which are made contained by inputs.


If I will write more Mr Danny will object , so I am stopping here.


 


 

sspawar

Tue, 06/12/2012 - 10:31

As we go on Railway Reservation website , in India it is IRCTC.


As soon you log in .


One window will pop up, keeping various fill in the blanks like


 









Plan My Travel



























From*


To*


Date*






 



Ticket Type *


Quota *

       













  





 

Various blank blocks are , this is readily available formate - A template - it is a tool, How to fill this- is  a process- written below in a seperate page with heading - how to book ticket - this process is OPA as input. when you will fill it , and click on tool, filled up template will return in a different information - be a document and it is a OUTPUT.