PRINCE2: An Introductory Guide for Beginners

There are numerous methodologies to help you manage your projects in a streamlined and structured way. Agile, Scrum or Waterfall, these different methods help you to guarantee the performance and productivity of your team, and allow you to complete each stage of the project in a spirit of efficiency and profitability.

Among these methods, PRINCE2 is one of the most common. Through this guide, discover what the PRINCE2 method is, where it comes from and how it works.

Definition

PRINCE2 means BYObjects IN COntrolled Eenvironments. As for the number 2, it refers to the second version of the method, published in 1996. According to wikipedia, PRINCE2 is a structured project management and certification method that focuses on three points: project organization, management and control.

Practical, flexible and scalable, this method makes it possible to design and manage all types of projects, regardless of their size, until their completion. With over 1 million PRINCE2 certified professionals in over 150 countries, it is the most widely used project management method in the world.

Origin of the PRINCE2 method

The PRINCE2 project management method was created in the United Kingdom. Its first version was called PROMPT (Project Reporting, Organization & Management Planning Technique) and was created in 1975 by the British company Simpact Systems Ltd.

In 1979, PROMPT was imposed as the standard to be used for all IT projects in the United Kingdom by the Central Computer and Telecommunications Agency (CCTA), which became the Office of Government Commerce (OGC) in 1980.

In 1989, the PROMPT method evolved to become PRINCE.

In 1996, PRINCE developed and became more flexible in order to allow the management of projects in all sectors and of all sizes. The method was then renamed PRINCE2. It will be updated and revised in 2005 and 2009, but it will keep its name in an effort to ensure continuity.

Since 2013, PRINCE2 has been owned by AXELOS, a joint venture created by the United Kingdom Government and Capita.

How does it work?

The PRINCE2 method is based on seven principles, seven themes, and seven processes.

The 7 principles

These are the guidelines and best practices to follow in applying the PRINCE2 method.

1. The permanent justification of the raison d'être of the project;
2. Capitalization, that is, continuously learning from past experience;
3. Defining the roles and responsibilities of each member of the team;
4. Project management step by step;
5. Management by exception, i.e. a PRINCE2 project includes defined tolerances for each project objective in order to establish the limits of delegated authority (PRINCE2 Wiki);
6. Focus on the product, i.e. on the requirements in terms of definition, delivery and quality;
7. The adaptability of the method to the project environment as well as to its size, complexity, importance and potential risks.

The 7 themes

These themes describe the aspects of project management that must be addressed on an ongoing basis in order to successfully complete the project.

1. The business case : necessary to justify the implementation of the project.
2. The organization : definition of the roles and responsibilities of all members of the project team.
3. The quality : what are the quality requirements? How are they measured and delivered?
4. Scheduling : all the steps necessary to carry out the project.
5. Risk management : identification of potential risks that could impact the project.
6. Change management : how the project manager will assess and implement changes that may occur during the implementation of the project.
7. The progression : monitor the evolution of the project in relation to the established plan and ensure that it is still viable.

The 7 processes

They detail the activities that need to be completed to successfully complete the project, from initial idea to completion. Each process contains a checklist of tasks that employees must do to get an accurate result.

1. Develop the project : the objective of this process is to provide the project steering committee with the information necessary to judge whether the project is valid, and thus authorize or not its start.
2. Managing the project : the aim is to allow the steering committee to monitor and control the project throughout its duration. The daily management of the project is entrusted to the project manager.
3. Initialize the project : it is necessary to develop the start-up documentation and the project plan by defining its scope and the context in which it is part.
4. Check a sequence : it is the daily job of the project manager. The objective is to monitor, measure and control the smooth running of the project and to report progress to the steering committee.
5. Manage project delivery : The project manager must verify that the project is progressing properly and that the deliverables meet PRINCE2 quality requirements. The steering committee then approves the completed tasks or requests changes.
6. Managing a sequence limit : each sequence (or phase) is analyzed by the steering committee to ensure that it complies with quality requirements and that the project is progressing as planned. The steering committee then validates the transition to the next sequence or decides to abandon the project.
7. Close the project : this last process consists of verifying that the project has achieved its objectives and that the products have been accepted by the customer and/or users. It is a question of properly closing the project, taking stock and archiving the experiences and observations lived for future projects.

Whatever your field of activity, the PRINCE2 method will help you become an accomplished project manager. See you on AXELOS to learn more about PRINCE2 and to get certified.