PRINCE2 is a structured project management technique. It is a practitioner certification program that focuses on dividing projects into manageable stages. During each stage, project management professionals must use a variety of techniques to achieve successful results. Those techniques include defining a project’s scope and purpose, organizing work, and controlling progress.
Structure
PRINCE2 is a method of project management which is designed to address the problems that cause a significant percentage of projects to fail. Moreover, it aims to deliver results that meet both the client’s and the business’s needs. It also includes risk management.
Using this method, a project is split into stages and responsibilities are assigned to the team members. The quality of each stage is monitored to ensure that the final product meets the highest standards.
As each stage is completed, the project manager records lessons learned. These are then evaluated in a periodic review. This helps to determine what changes need to be made to the next stage.
One of the major benefits of this method is that it allows for customization. Depending on the project, the size and complexity of the structure can be adjusted to accommodate specific requirements.
PRINCE2 has undergone many revisions. Some major improvements were introduced in 2009. They include seven principles for business success, a more adaptive method, and improved tools for delivering shorter project durations.
The methodology is process-driven, allowing for flexibility and clarity. The processes are defined with the key outputs, activities and objectives that a project requires. However, each process has its own unique style and flow.
Project Management Team is a temporary structure. The team member that takes on the role of the project manager will oversee the day-to-day management of the project. They will manage the project’s daily schedule, delegate tasks to the team, and keep the project on track.
In addition to the Project Board, there are other stakeholders that contribute to the project. The customer, supplier, and user are common groups that are involved.
Purpose
PRINCE2 is a project management methodology that breaks projects down into stages and tasks. This makes it easier for people to manage projects.
The framework is updated regularly to ensure that its best practices are up to date with the latest technological advancements and business priorities. Its core principle is to develop a project with a good business case.
Risks are also addressed in a systematic manner. This enables team members to prepare for the unexpected.
Lessons learned are recorded in a lesson log. They are used throughout the life cycle of the project.
Another important document is the quality register. It describes the standards of production for all deliverables. By meeting these standards, you can be assured that the final product will meet your high standards.
A common problem in project management is not being able to communicate. Using the PRINCE2 framework eliminates the risk of miscommunication.
Assembling a project team is a key step. Projects should have well defined roles and responsibilities. Individuals can share roles but should remain responsible for their individual tasks.
While there are no hard and fast rules when it comes to project management, using the right process is essential. Selecting a method that produces results on time and within budget is crucial.
The most important document in PRINCE2 is the business case. It should contain a detailed explanation of the project’s objectives, benefits, and costs.
It is also vital to understand the various risks associated with the project. PRINCE2’s risk assessment process helps teams to minimize the impact of risks.
While PRINCE2 is not the only project management methodology available, it is a great starter qualification. Since the methodology is flexible and scalable, it can be adapted to suit your needs.
Scope
The scope of PRINCE2 projects is carefully managed to avoid scope creep. A detailed project plan is essential, as is documentation. This will help project managers keep track of the project and ensure it’s on schedule.
Projects are broken down into stages and each stage is planned and monitored. Each phase has a specific role. These roles are shared by project members.
When a project begins, the Project Manager selects people to do the work. Some of these members may be direct employees from other management structures. Others, such as a specialist, will provide the expertise needed to build the outcome.
Before the project starts, the Project Manager must create a budget plan. This includes costs, resources, and timeframes. It is important to estimate costs and avoid going over the budget.
When the project starts, the Project Manager must also identify risks. They include technical, communication, and equipment constraints. Ideally, these limitations should be documented and explained in the project plan.
The quality of the deliverables is a primary concern. All work is carefully documented and checked for quality. In addition to this, the final product must be fit for its purpose. During the project, lessons are learned and the process improved.
The Project Manager reports on the project regularly. This includes providing information to the project board. Typically, the project board is made up of a senior user, a supplier representative, and a customer.
The project board makes high-level decisions. As a result, it’s important to understand the roles of each person. If possible, invite additional team members to collaborate. Having more people involved in the project will help increase the understanding of what the project needs.
Quality review technique
Quality review is a process in PRINCE2 definition of a project to check the quality of products. A quality product is a product that is able to meet expectations of customers and satisfy the purpose of a project. The technique is a generic method of inspection that can be used on any type of service or product.
Product reviews take place in a meeting that brings together people with the right skills and knowledge to address any issues and concerns. Reviewers assess the quality of the product, and then present their findings. This is followed up by a series of actions to rectify problems. These are then signed off.
PRINCE2 quality review technique is designed to be generic and can be applied on any appropriate project. In addition to being a generic technique, it is also based on a number of well-known management techniques. For example, it incorporates tailoring, product-based planning, and critical path analysis.
The role of the quality review technique chair involves a high degree of facilitation and organizational skills. He or she monitors the work of the reviewers, and coordinates the post-review actions. As a result, the quality review can be a successful and useful tool for promoting project quality.
The quality review technique requires a chair, a reviewer, and an administrator. All of these roles have specific responsibilities, but they do not have a direct relationship to the project management team.
Before the quality review takes place, it is important to have a clear understanding of what is being reviewed. This includes project criteria, such as cost, scope, and risk.
The project manager is responsible for writing the quality management strategy, which describes the quality rules, processes, and responsibilities of the project. This is done during the project’s initiation phase.
Closing
Closing a PRINCE2 project involves many activities that ensure that the products are fully accepted and supported. These include evaluating the project, measuring the benefits, confirming payments, and releasing any project resources.
The first step is assessing the benefits of the project. Once these are verified, a follow-up action plan should be prepared. This will be sent to people who will support the product once the project is over.
Next, the project manager needs to evaluate the results. Depending on the outcome, he will either disband the project or release project costs.
He should also make sure that the organization can still support the product. To do this, he should update the project documents. They should be simple and easily accessible.
After completing this, the Project Manager will recommend to the Project Board that the project be closed. During the process, the Project Manager will transfer the ownership of the products to the operational team.
Before releasing the project, the Project Manager will ensure that all open issues are resolved. Also, he will review the actual data to measure the performance of the project against the planned outcome.
After reviewing the actual data, the Project Board will consider the project closure report. It will assess the benefits of the project and any lessons learned. In addition, it will also confirm the final stage of the project.
Finally, the Project Manager will deliver the project documentation to the stakeholders. This will include the Project Plan and the Business Case.
The closing phase of a PRINCE2 project must include best practices. It must also provide for organizational learning.
When closing a project, the goal is to execute a controlled close. This will minimize the risk of arguments about how the project was delivered.
