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6 Ps

The 7 Ps is a British Army adage:

• Prior Planning and Preparation Prevents Piss Poor Performance

Another version of the 7 p's is:

• Proper Prior Planning Prevents Piss Poor Performance

It is sometimes seen as the 6 Ps:

• Proper Planning Prevents Piss Poor Performance

Or even euphemistically as the 5 Ps:

• Proper Planning Prevents Poor Performance

Its corollary:

• Piss Poor Planning makes for Poor Performance

Usage

The 7 Ps are normally referred to as "the 7 Ps" rather than as an acronym: (i.e. PPPPPPP). Neither are they referred to as the "the seven Ps". Educators and trainers in military or civilian situations find it useful to first introduce the phrase "the 7 Ps". When it is explained, the humour and shock of the mild expletive help make the adage memorable. This adage is often used in project planning, or when training for life-or-death situations.

See also

• Project planning

References

• US Airforce article extolling the 6 Ps (euphemised)