Proper Planning and Preparation Prevents Piss Poor Performance (7 Ps)
“Proper Planning and Preparation Prevents Piss Poor Performance” is known as the “7 Ps.” There are many variations of this expression, such as “5 Ps” and even “12 Ps.” The expression is believed to have originated in the military during World War II.
“In marketing efficiency, the five P’s — an infantry division slogan in World War II — Prior Planning Prevents Poor Performance” was cited in print in 1956. “Proper Planning Prevents Poor Performance” was cited in print in 1961. “The PPPPPP factor applies: ‘proper preliminary planning prevents poor performance’” was cited in print in 1966.
Wikipedia: 7 Ps (military adage)
The 7 Ps is a British Army adage for Proper Planning and Preparation Prevents Piss Poor Performance.
The 7 Ps are normally referred to as “the 7 Ps” rather than as an acronym: (i.e. PPPPPPP). 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.
Other versions of the 7 Ps:
. Proper Prior Planning Prevents Piss Poor Performance
. Prior Proper Planning Prevents Piss Poor Performance
. Prior Proper Preparation Prevents Piss Poor Performance
. Piss Poor Planning Promotes Piss Poor Performance
. Prior Preparation and Planning Prevents Piss Poor Performance
. Positive Pre-Planning Prevents Piss Poor Performance
Over time, the phrase has been changed to include the word ‘practice’ in order to better fit certain scenarios. For example:
. Proper Planning and Practice Prevents Piss Poor Performance
. Prior Proper Planning Prevents Painfully Poor Production
. Prior Proper Planning Prevents Piss Poor Production
Google Books
Extension Service Review
United States. Federal Extension Service
Volumes 27-31
U. S. Govt. Print. Off., 1956
Pg. 247:
In marketing efficiency, the five P’s — an infantry division slogan in World War II — Prior Planning Prevents Poor Performance, mean money in the pockets — for farmers, retailers, wholesalers, and consumers.
Google Books
Modern Airmanship
By Neil D. Van Sickle
Princeton, NJ: Van Nostrand
1961
Pg. 553:
The phrase “Proper Planning Prevents Poor Performance” surely applies to DR.
17 January 1965, Dallas (TX) Morning News, “‘Little White Lies’ Are Not, Marketer Reminds Realtors” by Jim Stephenson, sec. 7, pg. 1, col. 6:
“PRIOR PLANNING prevents poor performance,” the marketer conceded, but some folks spend so much time at their desks planning that they never get around to doing what they plan.
Google Books
Naval Training Bulletin
United States. Naval Training Support Command. Commanding Officer
1966
Pg. 17:
In any adventure we might say that the PPPPPP factor applies: “proper preliminary planning prevents poor performance.”
Google Books
Focus on Understanding and Support;
A Study in College Management
By John W. Leslie
Washington, DC: American College Public Relations Association
1969
Pg. 77:
To quote the old adage, prior planning prevents poor performance.
2 November 1969, Sunday Herald Traveler (Boston, MA), “Legislature Needs To Plan Schedule” (editorial), pg. 58, col. 1:
As the military expression (here slightly laundered) goes, “prior planning prevents poor performance.”
25 October 1972, Anchorage (AK) Daily News, “Southeast Soundings” by Elaine Mitchell, pg. 15, col. 7:
“Prior Proper Planning Prevents a Poor Performance”—an old motto from a professional planner, of course.
Google Books
15 April 1973, Computerworld, “Prior Proper Planning Prevents Poor Performance” by Don Leavitt, pg. 13, col. 2:
Speaking to a Share users group meeting earlier this year, Dennis R. Chastain said that “the six Ps” — proper prior planning prevents poor performance — certainly apply to CPE projects.
Sports Illustrated
April 09, 1990
Runaway!
UNLV beat Duke 103-73 in the most lopsided NCAA title game ever
Curry Kirkpatrick
(...)
Razorback coach Nolan Richardson had spoken of the “Five P’s—preparation prevents piss-poor performance.”
Presidio of Monterey, California
12 December 1990, Globe, pg. 3, col. 2:
Remember the six Ps: Prior Proper Planning Prevents Poor Performance.
Sports Illustrated
December 05, 1994
Hog Tied Debut
Arkansas was flattened by UMass but rebounded in a win over Georgetown
Jack McCallum
(...)
Certainly the Hogs’ weak showing had something to do with their failure to follow Richardson’s Five-P credo—Preparation Prevents Piss-Poor Performance.
Google Books
Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell: Checkmate
By David Michael
New York, NY: The Berkley Publishing Group
2005
Pg. ?:
Among the dozens of axioms special operators lived by, the Six P’s were arguably the most important: Prior Planning Prevents Piss-Poor Performance.
Google Books
Taking the Piss:
A Potted History of Pee
By Adam Hart-Davis and Emily Troscianko
Stroud, Gloucestershire: Chalford Press
2006
Pg. 108:
piss-poor — terrible, of low quality, as in the business one-liner ‘The 5 Ps: Preparation Prevents Piss-Poor Performance’
OCLC WorldCat record
The 5 p’s : proper planning prevents poor performance
Author: Liz Cohen; Onestar Press.
Publisher: Paris : Onestar Press, ©2007.
Edition/Format: Book : English : 1st ed
OCLC WorldCat record
Jacked up : the inside story of how Jack Welch talked GE into becoming the world’s greatest company
Author: Bill Lane
Publisher: New York : McGraw-Hill, ©2008.
Edition/Format: Book : Biography : English
Contents:
Prior planning prevents piss-poor performance—
Great Words to live by
Saturday, 14 July 2012
5Ps, 6Ps, 7Ps, 10Ps and 12 Ps.
The 5 Ps
Proper Planning Prevents Poor Performance
Proper Preparation Prevents Poor Performance
Prior Planning Provides People Protection
Proper Planning Provides People Protection
Proper Practice Prepares Perfect Players
Poor Planning Promotes Poor Performance
The 6 Ps
Proper Planning Prevents Piss Poor Production
Prior Preparation Prevents Piss Poor Performance
Prior Planning Prevents Piss Poor Performance
Proper Prior Planning Promotes Peak Performance
Prior Planning Precludes Piss Poor Performance
Proper Planning Prevents Piss Poor Performance
Proper Planning Prevents Pretty Poor Performance
(...)
The 12 Ps
Purpose, proper prior planning, passion, patience, persistence and perseverance prevent piss poor performance.
Piss poor planning promotes piss poor performance, piss poor performance promotes pain.