The PRINCE2 Highlight Report is a form used to report the progress of a project to the Project Board. It analyses extra information gathered during project stages and identifies lessons learned. It is based on the Product-Based approach in the management of projects. It includes a list of the products in the current stage, issues, risks, and lessons learned.
Managing by stages
Managing by stages is an important part of PRINCE2 project management. It focuses on the way a project is planned and managed. It identifies the key decision points at each stage. These decision points must be addressed before the project is able to move forward.
PRINCE2 is based on the principle of breaking large tasks down into smaller, manageable chunks. Each stage is managed, monitored and controlled according to a methodology known as PRINCE2. PRINCE2 projects are managed by stages, separated by Decision Points and the Project Board.
Managing by stages is a key aspect of PRINCE2. The project manager should produce a Highlight Report for the Project Board on each stage to provide information about progress. These reports should be brief and easy to understand. The team manager may want to increase the frequency of these reports.
Including corrective actions in the report
The process of corrective action involves the solution of problems that have occurred. It involves the definition of the problem, the determination of its cause, and the steps needed to mitigate its immediate symptoms. This process should be managed to completion, with an effective debrief and lessons learned at the end. Corrective actions can be created using templates that make the process easy and efficient.
The corrective action plan must specify targeted timeframes for resolving any deficiencies. In some cases, it may also include special work that needs to be done to meet regulatory requirements. In any case, the corrective action plan should be based on the premise that it can only solve the problem if it can be rationally and within the project tolerance.
Including risk and issue registers in the report
The Risk & Issue Register is an important component of a project management process. It helps project managers plan for changes and to communicate these changes to the customer. Risks are identified and reported, and they are ranked by likelihood of occurrence, severity, and impact. Issues are events that happen during the course of a project, and they require management action. A project manager must consider the severity and impact of each issue and update the Risk & Issue Register as necessary.
Issues are related to change requests or other risks that affect the project. As a PRINCE2 project manager, you should be aware of the risks or issues that may affect your project. If you find an issue that is not within your project’s tolerance, you can bring it to the project board for discussion. If the issue or risk exceeds the project’s tolerance level, you should raise an Exception Report.
Making the report “executive friendly”
PRINCE2 Highlight Reports are an excellent way to provide a brief overview of a project’s progress and can be very useful to executive audiences. Most organizations expect all projects to include one, and most executives find these reports useful. Fortunately, there are ways to make the PRINCE2 Highlight Reports executive friendly without disrupting the project’s delivery.
For instance, when writing a Highlight Report, don’t include too many details unless it’s absolutely necessary. For instance, it’s not necessary to list every single decision made by project staff. Instead, focus on the highlights and key points that have been reached.
