Wednesday 21 November 2007

What is Prince2™ and should I be using it?

These are two separate questions, of course.

What is Prince2&#153?


Prince2 (Projects in Controlled Environments) was developed as a project management tool in UK government IT applications. It was then rolled out as a generic approach to project implementation, and has been taken up by many public bodies in the local government and HE sectors, as well as in business.
Prince2&#153 website

Essentially Prince2&#153 provides a structure and terminology to manage a project from initial identification through to completion with clearly defined stages and targets. There is an emphasis on explicit terms of reference and governance through Project Boards, intended to ensure that mission creep is prevented. As such it formalises good practice. Unfortunately its terminology is precise and counter-intuitive: a clear distinction is made, for example, between a task and a process. As a result, Prince2&#153-speak may be unintelligible to outsiders, although some phrases have gained wider currency, including:

  • management by exception focus on the things that are going wrong

  • lessons learned log this is where Prince2 projects report their mistakes

  • PID Project Initiation Document


  • Prince2&#153 practitioners can gain accredited qualifications; this process is fairly longwinded and expensive. Partly as a result, there has developed a distinct field of practice called PINO (Prince In Name Only) projects, where the broad terminology and structure is adopted but day-to-day implementation is less formalised.

    It has also been argued that much of the process is excessively timeconsuming and the key issue leading to past project failure is in fact lack of clarity and purpose from the client group.




    Should I be using it?

    The short answer is no, not least because the adoption of Prince2&#153 as a method has to be a decision taken at a corporate level. To implement elements of its process within an individual project is pointless and will almost certainly result in duplication of effort.

    Whetehr organisations should be adopting it is less clear. If they are to do so, they must commit themselves to getting their staff accredited and following through on the paperwork that will results.

    In practice, Prince2&#153 works best in organisations whose projects are:

  • partnerships between different bodies with equal power

  • long-term (2 years +)

  • delivered by a third party contractor

  • subject to frequent change of approach

  • closely defined at the planning stage


  • which suggests that archaeology is not its most fertile ground.


    However, it is worth picking out the key Prince2&#153 principles for what makes a project work:

  • define a management structure with clear terms of reference

  • define the level of autonomy you are giving the project manager

  • have a reporting schedule and distribution list for progress reports

  • record changes in plan, with reasons

  • record your mistakes and learn from them




  • This is part of the training theme: start here.

    9 comments:

    Anonymous said...

    Often those who fail to see the Prince2 light are those who are totally ignorant of exemplary business progress. Whether it is Prince2 certification or project management certificate, they are more than essential in the growth of a company.

    Prince2 training facilitates improved business performance by ensuring participants understand core disciplines of Prince2 and its subsidiaries. More than ever, Prince2 emphasizes on WHY the project is required, WHAT needs to be achieved, HOW and WHEN events need to take place and WHO needs to be involved.

    At whole, core elements of Prince2 certification can be defined at Prince2 methodologies for dummies and how Prince2 training can bring success to a business is explained in Prince2 management and successful projects.

    To know more on the benefits of prince2, check Prince 2 Certification and Training

    Project Management Mumbai said...

    While the course gives boost to your career it also attracts higher income and gives confidence. Both the client and the vendor can have a happy and win-win relationship because of the fact that the projects are handled by someone highly competitive in the industry.
    PMP certification

    harun said...
    This comment has been removed by the author.
    harun said...

    Prince2 certification is beneficial that is good one and that is like me. due to that get benefit to all.
    prince2 training Mumbai

    neeti said...

    Nice blog, Also check Prince2 Certification in Pune

    No One Can See C P R said...

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    Unknown said...

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