If you’re a project manager, you already know how messy projects can get. Without a experience and guidelines, sometimes it can feel like cooking a dish without a recipe. It might turn out okay if you’re lucky ,but not great.
Project Management methods are available out there to create order and deliver products with a higher rate of success.
PRINCE2 methodology is the most famous and valued out of them all. And it’s not because the name sounds royal lol. The name stands for PRojects IN Controlled Environments.
PRINCE®2 methodology gives a structured way to run projects so that you always know,
- ✔ The purpose of the project
- ✔ Who’s in charge of what tasks
- ✔ What should be delivered and when
- ✔ How to keep track throughout the process
It fits any size with a little bit of tailoring based on the requirements.
The Backbone of PRINCE®2
The entire framework is built on 3 main pillars.
- 1. Principles
- 2. Practices
- 3. Processes
Now, let’s talk about each one in detail.
The 7 Principle: The Golden Rules of PRINCE2
These are the core rules that should be followed. Even if one rule is overlooked it’s no longer considered a PRINCE2 project.
1. Continued Business Justification
- Every project should have a reason to exist (benefit). You must have a business case with benefits, costs, risks and outcomes.
- The justification must be reviewed throughout the process to make sure the benefits are greater than the costs. This prevents wasting effort and money on pet programmes.
2. Learn from Experience
- Teams must be like elephants, never forget mistakes and smart moves.
- Keeping a Lesson Log for every project can be helpful.
3. Defined Roles and Responsibilities
- PRINCE2 methodology establishes clear roles so everyone knows their responsibilities.
4. Manage by Stages
- The whole programme is broken down into small chunks with deadlines.
- At the end of each stage, the board reviews progress and makes decisions to continue, adjust or stop.
5. Manage by Exception
- The board sets tolerance limits for cost, scope, risk and quality.
6. Focus on Products
- Define the final product in detail to reduce rework and misunderstandings.
7. Tailor to Suit the Project
- PRINCE2 methodology isn’t rigid. You adapt it based on the size, industry and complexity.
The 7 Practices of the PRINCE®2 Methodology
There are 7 practices(previously known as themes). These are the guidelines on how to apply the rules(principles)
Business Case
What’s the purpose and what are the benefits?
Organisation
Who’s doing what tasks?
Quality
What’s the measure we use to determine the quality and how do we check it?
Plans
What are we delivering, when and how?
Risk
What could go wrong in the process? How will we handle it if it does?
Change
How do we handle requests, problems and scope creeps?
Progress
How do we track if we’re moving ahead and still on track?
The 7 Processes in the PRINCE®2 Methodology
Every programme goes through a set of sequence of processes. In this methodology there are 7 processes such as,
- 1. Starting
- 2. Directing
- 3. Initiating
- 4. Controlling a stage
- 5. Managing Product delivery
- 5. Managing a Stage Boundary
- 5. Closing
People in PRINCE2 Methodology
In this method, everyone has a specific role and each person has their own set of tasks.
- 1. Project Board: The decision makers (Executive, Seniors, Stakeholders)
- 2. Project Manager: Runs the team and tasks everyday
- 3. Team: Engages in specific tasks
- 4. Support team: Provides admin and support tools
Documentation in PRINCE2 Methodology
Yes, there’s documentation, but every document is precise and should address the purpose. Such as,
- ✔ Business case: The motive behind
- ✔ PID (Project Initiation Document): The project master’s plan
These done right, they become key tools. Otherwise, they become a bunch of sheets.
PRINCE®2 methodology is all about control, clarity and structure. It’s a repeatable method to make every programme a successful and drive more clients to the organisation.