Planning Element Types Overview

Each planning element uses a single element type. Element types are groups or categories of planning initiatives that have common characteristics. Element types can represent any aspect of your business to group the initiative and events that are part of your innovation strategy.

Note:  Users with the Planner, Process Designer, and Process Manager (with Add Project rights) user roles with security access at the Root level can create planning element types. All user roles are required.

Elements can be set to either represent a date in time, or span a period of time:

  • Event Element Types - Use date element types to represent events such as launch dates, or market events such as trade shows or implementation deadlines. These elements contain a specific date that is based on the start date, end date, or a date that is established using a date metric, such as a Deadline date. Use these element types to chart events to determine if your products and initiatives line up to the represented events.
  • Span Element Types - Use span element types to either group elements into categories, or to represent initiatives that take place across a period of time. Such as work on a new product or an internal initiative that relates to a product.

Each element type can contain:

  • A color to identify the element type.
  • A shape to help identify the element type.
  • One or more metrics or matrices that the elements that use that type have in common. The metrics and matrices added to the element type are available to set on each individual element that is created using that type.

For example, consider the following element types:

  • Organizational - An element that is used for organizational purposes to group products and concepts into smaller categories. Organizational elements are used to help define the hierarchy organizational structure of all the elements.
  • Strategic Area - An element that groups initiatives into high-level focused areas for executives to have insight into how work meets the company’s strategic goals.
  • Brand - A further categorization of product areas within the organization that allows brand and portfolio managers to view their particular areas.
  • Product - Products that we either currently produce, are actively working to bring to market, or are part of our longer term strategy.
  • Product Concept - Ideas that are being vetted for future efforts.
  • Market Trend - Used to highlight trends that are happening in the market place.
  • Market Event - Dates of events that are happening in the market, for example government deadlines.
  • Market Need - Much like an event, needs within the market that are on the horizon.
  • Technology - Technologies, skills, or innovations being developed within your company that are enabling product creation.

 

Planning Element Types Example

See the following to get started: