You might have some great improvement ideas, but technology hasn’t quite caught up. Or, you need to get something in place in the short term, with further improvements planned for down the road. 

This article will define and describe how to manage your multi-generational product planning (MGPP), the benefits of doing improvement this way, and some recommendations for optimizing this process.

Overview: What is MGPP? 

MGPP is a process improvement approach that helps you focus your team’s energies on a manageable project that can be completed in a relatively quick period of time. Many improvement ideas might be beyond the current state of technology or business readiness. Yet, there are benefits to be gained by starting to think about and plan for your future state while implementing what you can now. Your MGPP is a living document that adapts to the changing nature of your business.

Your MGPP will consist of three elements: vision, process generations, and technology and platforms. Here’s a brief description of each:

• Vision: This is your overall goal or problem statement. What do you want to accomplish? Why? It can also be metrics with targets. Develop a reasonable scope that is achievable and has an adequate level of impact. You will have a short-term vision and a long-term vision.
• Process generations: Develop a series of releases where each release is characterized by distinct combinations of features or level of performance. Each generation should be an incremental build on the previous generation.
• Technology and platforms: You should be able to execute your first-generation MGPP with current technology as well as identify needed technological developments for each subsequent generation. You should determine what is required from a technology standpoint to execute the vision. You should also include any people requirements to support future improvements and your ultimate vision.

3 benefits of MGPP 

By not tackling your project improvements in one large chunk, you’ll be better able to manage it with bite-size pieces of your MGPP. 

1. Prepare for the future 

Since you have considered the future, the team will be less likely to make decisions that are incompatible with future generations. 

2. Prevent delays 

Instead of having an extended development time for the project, you can add new ideas to future generations of the project instead, allowing you to keep your first-generation improvement plan focused and efficient.

3. Encourage parallel development 

The organization can be working on new technologies that are needed for future generations while the first-generation process is implemented — and realizing benefits.

Why is MGPP important to understand? 

Since you’ll be planning for future states, you’ll need to understand some of the complexities of doing that.

Complexity

Your ability to break down all possible improvements into a timed series of future releases will allow you to capture some benefits now and be linked to your future opportunities. 

Relevancy 

It will be important for you to understand your current capabilities and have some viable vision of what the future will look like. 

Linkage 

Understanding the linkage between your vision, process generations, and future technology and platforms will be important so you can have a smooth transition between the various generations of improvements.

An industry example of MGPP

A manufacturer of laminated glass has begun its implementation of Lean Six Sigma. One of the early teams came up with an unmanageable amount of recommendations since many spanned future generations of possible technology and process improvements. The plant manager, Clint, suggested that the team develop a MGPP to sequence the improvements as corporate technology develops new machines with greater capabilities.

Here is the final MGPP that the team agreed was a viable solution for melding current and future improvements. They are currently completing the Generation 1 improvements.

3 best practices when thinking about MGPP 

Since a MGPP may span a number of months or years, there are a few things that you can do to keep the process moving along and coordinated.

1. Scope 

Keep the scope of each generation manageable and tight enough so you can complete the activities in a reasonable amount of time, yet enjoy sufficient benefits to keep the enthusiasm going across all generations.

2. Replication 

Keep your eyes open for the replication of some of your improvement ideas across other parts of your business. There can be benefits for those other parts of the business without the necessary effort.

3. Communicate 

You will need to communicate with any process owners and/or stakeholders so they know what has happened, what is happening, and what will be happening. You will likely need their input and support, so keep them in the loop.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about MGPP

What are three reasons I would use a MGPP? 

• Scope is too big. 
• Improvements are needed now. 
• Project requires a capital expenditure the company is not ready to do now. 

Can MGPP also be used for processes as well as products?

Yes. MGPP can be used to plan future generations of a product or future generations of a process. As long as the three elements of vision, generations, and technology/platform have been addressed, you can use it for either a process or a product. 

Is MGPP part of a DMAIC project? 

MGPP works both for a DMAIC project as well as a DMEDI or DMADV project. Your MGPP can be used for a current state project that is looking toward the future, or for a stepwise implementation of a future state need.

Summarizing the MGPP 

Multi-generational product planning is a staged improvement process that implements changes over a specified time line. Improvements are released as your business environment evolves. 

Your future states will consider the evolution of your organization’s vision, processes and technology. You will need some strong planning and coordination to keep the momentum of improvement going over what could be an extended period of time.