One of the keys to succeeding in information product creation is to break the process up into discrete steps. This frequently isn’t an instinctive reaction for the typical information marketer. Especially on the internet where small sized learning products are the norm.

However, it is extremely important to your ultimate success. In fact, I would go so far as to say that if you don’t do this you probably won’t succeed… even when you are starting out let alone as you move forward.

Your product creation system should do this for you if only to help you to understand the overall task.

But why?

In this article, I’m going to ignore chunking and focus on the practical aspects. That’s not to say that chunking isn’t important. It is. It’s important to understanding and to learning the process. But while you can use the same chunks as you move forward, long term your focus needs to be on the operation of the system not the understanding of it. Unless of course you are constantly training new people!

So why is chunking important to long term use of the product creation process? (Yes, I know systems design uses a different term for this process but I’m not teaching you systems design. So I’m going to use the word learning content designers use.)

The first reason that having individual discrete tasks is important is one of schedule estimation. Frequently it is very difficult to estimate how long the total task of creating a product will take. After all, the size and type of the products matters as does the number of products in your product funnel. And those are just the most obvious elements. However, estimating a discrete task is often much easier. The total can then be estimated as the total of the discrete tasks.

Secondly, scheduling a large task can be problematic. However, by segmenting the task into a number of discrete tasks, you gain a much greater flexibility in scheduling. Not only that but as your business begins to add people you are able to schedule multiple people to the product creation.

Finally, segmenting a large task into smaller discrete tasks allows you to have much better control over the product creation. This affects two different areas — status and quality.

By segmenting your process into discrete tasks you are able to schedule and record the progress at much more detailed level. As a result you are more in control of the status of the product creation. You know what everyone is doing. When they should complete it. And how much it should cost. You also know exactly what has been done.

You also improve your overall quality. Instead of waiting until everything is done you can check quality as you go. This allows you to immediate react to low quality products without absorbing their costs. This means that you have less rework and your rework costs less. And if the product is not going to meet its quality requirement you will know about it in time to stop the development, change the requirement or fix the product.

Normally when people start looking thinking about creating a home based business, they are worried about scams and rip offs. Are there legitimate home based business opportunities out there that you can create an income from? Yes, but in order to create the best home based business you will need to do your due diligence and most importantly – Don’t think that a home based business is a free ride. Unfortunately you will still need to put in some work.So what are the advantages of having a home based business? Do you want to spend more time at home with your family, do you hate commuting into the city to work every day, do you want to increase your flexibility or do you simply want to earn more money? All of the above are great reasons to start a small business but how do you decide what business to start? Finding legitimate home based business opportunities can be harder than it sounds as there are a number of companies online that prey on people’s desire for riches. Let’s have a look at some hints for sifting through all of the home based business opportunities.1. Do your research. More and more people are starting their own home or online businesses on the Internet. You are not the first person to start on this journey, many people have tried and failed before you but many have also succeeded. When trying to succeed at anything is vital that you get good advice and training. Do the hard work and research and you will be rewarded with some great legitimate home based business opportunities.2. What Do you Want? It is vital to decide what you want to do and then find an opportunity to fulfill that dream. Too many people work the other way. They see an opportunity and think “mmm I could do that”. To be successful you need to love what you do and that is why this step is so vital.3. Use Your Experience: this step continues on from 2, think about your experience and expertise. What makes you happy and doesn’t? Don’t be limited by old beliefs, almost any job these days can be turned into a legitimate home business opportunity. The internet has changed the way we live so you might as well use this to your advantage. How many people are going to work in an office still when they could do their job perfectly well from home? In the near future more and more people will be working from home.4. Live in the Real World: Realistically some business ideas probably won’t work at home. I’m sure your partner wouldn’t be too happy if you decided that you are going to be circus master from home! There are enough legitimate home based business opportunities that you should have no trouble finding a niche that suits you perfectly. Remember that working from home often translates into get rich schemes. Steer clear from these unrealistic models, put in the hard work and you may be surprised at the results.

Freedom, say the word out loud. Now close your eyes and say the word to yourself. What do you see when you say the word freedom? Do you see yourself stuck in a cubical working long hours, or do you see yourself working when you want to, in your pajamas if you choose to do so?Do you envision yourself missing out on life while you make money for companies that will never truly show appreciation for you and all you do for them. Do you see yourself living life by your terms and not missing out on any of life’s events?We were not meant to live in this world to work hard all our lives and miss out on what the world has to offer. It has been drilled into our heads for years that this is the way of life. But is it really our God given path? Your VISION?What makes us different from others who are highly successful in life? The answer is nothing, except that maybe they worked a little harder towards their goals and vision. We are all the same and we all deserve the same rewards in life, you have to be willing to make small sacrifices to make it happen though.Having a home based business can help you to achieve the freedom that you are so desperately seeking.Now before you think, “Awe man this is crazy, nobody makes money in those home based businesses.” I would like to tell you that you are wrong and I can point out thousands of people who not only attained freedom through home based business but also are living a rather nice life because of it.They had to work hard, but it is so much different when you are the boss and the work that you put in benefits you entirely and not someone else. Not to mention if anyone says to you that it is easy and you can make a million in a few days, I suggest you walk away; chances are it is not a legit operation or they would just leave you high and dry. A good leader will show people their vision. They also had to thicken their skin so they could better deal with rejection, but they did it…… And successful home based businesses are happening everyday.People are tired of working dead end jobs or not knowing if they are going to have a job. They no longer want to work for someone that can not understand that they have to leave work early because their child is sick, or in a play or musical or a game.Americans are looking for more independence and freedom from the daily grind. With the economy in peril as well as the burden the tax payers are going to have to face for generations, there is no better time than now to get into a home based business. Experts have been predicting for months that things are only going to get harder and not easier for Americans’.So far they have been right; people have lost jobs, homes, security and their very own dignity.Only YOU can change your life! Only YOU can plan your own destiny! Only YOU can make your life better and live out your dreams! Do not let anyone stop or hinder you. Those that try, evade them. They are dream stealers and they are the ones that will always be working and struggling in life. Misery loves company, and by the way, it is always fun to see their reaction when you become successful.Somehow they have time to listen to you now.