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The PRINCE2 method is the de-facto standard for project management in the UK and is now also recognized and practiced worldwide. This section provides a comprehensive overview of PRINCE2 and its processes and themes. Silicon Beach Training is an Accredited Training Provider of PRINCE2 Foundation course and PRINCE2 Practitioner course
The continued international development of PRINCE2 examinations, training and course material is contributing significantly to the recognition of PRINCE2 as an international standard.
PRINCE2 Frequently asked Questions
Why is it called PRINCE?
PRINCE is an acronym derived from Projects INControlled Environments.
What is PRINCE2?
Prince2 is a project management methodology. It does not rely on any software, however there are many software tools available to use which will help you manage projects using PRINCE2. It is a best practice approach to running projects in a way that is controllable and recordable.
Where can I buy PRINCE2 and how much is it?
You cannot buy PRINCE2, however in order to be a qualified PRINCE2 Practitioner you will need to invest in training to get your qualification.
How do I become qualified in PRINCE2?
You will need to pass at either PRINCE2 Foundation or Practitioner exams. If you are in a supporting role within projects then the PRINCE2 Foundation qualification will probably be enough, however, if you are leading projects then Practitioner level will be necessary. The most common approach for companies who wish to adopt aPRINCE2 strategy is to train up individuals and then run a PRINCE2 project.
Why do I need a PRINCE2 qualification?
PRINCE2 qualifications are useful to individuals on a personal level to improve project management skills at work and for career development. Many project management roles advertised ask for PRINCE2 as a prerequisite, particularly in the public sector. Companies with PRINCE2 qualified employees will find this useful when tendering for public sector contracts.
What do PRINCE2 qualifications consist of?
A PRINCE2 Foundation qualification will show an understanding of PRINCE2, whereas a PRINCE2 Practioner qualification will show that you understand how to apply PRINCE2 principles to real world projects.
How big does a project have to be before PRINCE2 can be used?
Projects lasting only a few days will benefit from selective application of PRINCE2. Project lasting many years will also benefit. PRINCE2 is highly adaptable.
Can employees check the authenticity of PRINCE2 Qualifications
The APMG run an online register to show candidates that have passed Foundation and/or Practitioner. This can be found at www.prince2.org.uk. As an employer you can also check the validity of peoples PRINCE2 certification, prior to contract or employment.
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Posted by Alistair Wylie in PRINCE2® on May 29th, 2007 | No Comments »
The benefits of taking a PRINCE2 Training Course are:
- PRINCE2 is the most widely recognised project managment qualification
- A PRINCE2 Qualification will give you first class project management skills
- Sudying PRINCE2 will give you the confidence in managing projects successfully
- Implimenting PRINCE2 in your projects will give you common systems, procedures and language
- You will make fewer mistakes, learn from those that you do make, saving time, money and effort
- Being PRINCE2 qualified will greatly improve your employment prospects
- A PRINCE2 qualification is a great asset for your CV
- PRINCE2 is recognised worldwide and is the standard method for project management.
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Posted by Alistair Wylie in PRINCE2® on October 22nd, 2007 | No Comments »
The following pages give more detail of the processes shown in the diagram below – click the image to open a larger version in a new window
© Crown Copyright 2009. Reproduced under Licence from OGC
Lean more about the PRINCE2 Process Model on our PRINCE2 Courses
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Posted by Alistair Wylie in PRINCE2® on October 16th, 2007 | No Comments »
PRINCE2 PROCESSES – Starting Up a Project (SU)
The purpose of the Starting up a Project process is to ensure that the prerequisites for Initiating a Project are in place by answering the question: do we have a viable and worthwhile project?
This process is triggered by a mandate and is designed to establish the following:
- There is a business justification for initiating the project (documented in an outline Business Case)
- All the necessary authorities exist for initiating the project
- Sufficient information is available to define and confirm the scope of the project (in the form of a Project Brief)
- The various ways the project can be delivered are evaluated and a project approach selected
- Individuals are appointed who will undertake the work required in project initiation and/or will take significant project management roles in the project
- The work required for project initiation is planned (documented in a Stage Plan)
- Time is not wasted initiating a project based on unsound assumptions regarding the project’s scope, timescales, acceptance criteria and constraints.
Products produced during this process are as follows:
- Role descriptions
- Daily Log
- Lessons Log
- Outline Business Case
- Project Product Description
- Project Approach
- Project Brief
- Stage Plan
The PRINCE2 processes are covered in detail on our PRINCE2 Foundation training and PRINCE2 Practitioner training courses
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Posted by Alistair Wylie in PRINCE2® on July 12th, 2007 | No Comments »
PRINCE2 PROCESSES – Directing a Project (DP)
The purpose of the Directing a Project process is to enable the Project Board to be accountable for the project’s success by making key decisions and exercising overall control while delegating day-to-day management of the project to the Project Manager.
The objective of the Directing a Project process is to ensure that:
- There is authority to initiate the project
- There is authority to deliver the project’s products
- Management direction and control are provided throughout the project’s life, and that the project remains viable
- Corporate or programme management has an interface to the project
- There is authority to close the project
- Plans for realising the post-project benefits are managed and reviewed.
The Directing a Project process starts on completion of the Starting up a Project process and is triggered by the request to initiate a project.
The PRINCE2 processes are covered in detail on our PRINCE2 Foundation course and PRINCE2 Practitioner courses
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Posted by Alistair Wylie in PRINCE2® on July 12th, 2007 | No Comments »
PRINCE2 PROCESSES – Initiating a Project (IP)
The purpose of the Initiating a Project process is to establish solid foundations for the project, enabling the organisation to understand the work that needs to be done to deliver the project’s products before committing to a significant spend.
The objective of the Initiating a Project process is to ensure that there is a common understanding of:
- The reasons for doing the project, the benefits expected and the associated risks
- The scope of what is to be done and the products to be delivered
- How and when the project’s products will be delivered and at what cost
- Who is to be involved in the project decision making
- How the quality required will be achieved
- How baselines will be established and controlled
- How risks, issues and changes will be identified, assessed and controlled
- How progress will be monitored and controlled
- Who needs information, in what format, and at what time
Other products created and ready for use when the project commences are:
- Risk Management Strategy and Risk Register
- Configuration Management Strategy, Initial Configuration Item Records and Issue Register
- Quality Management Strategy and Quality Register
- Communication Management Strategy
- Project Controls
- Role Descriptions
- Project Management Team Structure
- Project Plan
- Product Descriptions
- Benefits Review Plan
- Detailed Business Case
- Project Initiation Documentation
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Posted by Alistair Wylie in PRINCE2® on July 12th, 2007 | No Comments »
PRINCE2 PROCESSES – Managing a Stage Boundary
The purpose of the Managing a Stage Boundary process is to enable the Project Board to be provided with sufficient information by the Project Manager so that it can review the success of the current stage, approve the next Stage Plan, review the updated Project Plan, and confirm continued business justification and acceptability of the risks. Therefore, the process should be executed at, or close to the end of, each management stage. The PRINCE2 Processes are covered in detail on our PRINCE2 Foundation training and PRINCE2 Practitioner training courses
The objective of the Managing a Stage Boundary process is to:
- Assure the Project Board that all products in the Stage Plan for the current stage have been completed and approved
- Prepare the Stage Plan for the next stage
- Review and, if necessary, update the Project Initiation Documentation (in particular the Business Case, Project Plan, project approach, strategies, project management team structure and role descriptions)
- Provide the information needed for the Project Board to assess the continuing viability of the project – including the aggregated risk exposure
- Record any information or lessons that can help later stages of this project and/or other projects
- Request authorization to start the next stage.
The main products of this process are as follows:
- An End Stage Report produced by the Project Manager and given to the Project Board, outlining information on the current stage achievements.
- Current Stage Plan actuals showing the performance against the original Stage Plan.
- The Next Stage or Exception Plan for approval.
- Project Initiation Documentation may require updating.
- A revised Project Plan incorporating all the actual metrics.
- An updated Risk register, together with the Updated Business Case and Project Plan, which is used by the Project Board to review that the Project has continuing ongoing viability.
- Configuration item records created/updated for new stage products.
- An updated Business Case.
- The Lessons Log.
- Any changes to the Project Management Team with updated Job Descriptions.
Team plans may also be produced when planning the next stage, defining the work packages that will be produced in the next stage.
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Posted by Alistair Wylie in PRINCE2® on July 12th, 2007 | No Comments »
PRINCE2 PROCESSES – Controlling a Stage (CS)
The purpose of the Controlling a Stage process is to assign work to be done, monitor such work, deal with issues, report progress to the Project Board, and take corrective actions to ensure that the stage remains within tolerance.
For each stage, the following cycle of activities will be covered:
- Authorise a Work Package
- Review Work Package Status
- Receive Completed Work Packages
- Review the stage status
- Report highlights
- Capture and examine issues and risks
- Escalate issues and risks
- Take correction action
The continued assessment of risk and issues during this process is important.
Products used or produced during this process:
- Work packages, detailing the products to be produced must be agreed between Project and Team Manager.
- Quality register – checked for approved products produced
- Configuration item records – updated with latest status of products
- Checkpoint reports – reviewed in preparation for Highlight reports
- Highlight Reports (time driven control) produced by the Project Manager, sent to the Project Board advising on progress information.
- Issue reports and Issues register in which all issues are captured and examined.
- Daily log – used to informally manage any risks and issues
- Lessons log – updated with any lessons learned during the stage
- Updated Risk register.
- The Stage Plan which is regularly updated with actual achievements.
- An Exception Report may also need to be created if an issue is forecast to exceed stage tolerances.
Learn more about the Controlling a Stage Process on our PRINCE2 Courses
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Posted by Alistair Wylie in PRINCE2® on July 12th, 2007 | No Comments »
