PRINCE2

Introduction

PRINCE2 is a project management method designed to provide a framework covering the wide variety of disciplines and activities required within a project.
The focus throughout PRINCE2 is on the Business Case, which describes the rationale and business justification for the project.  The Business Case drives all the project management processes, from initial project set-up through to the finish of the project.

Concepts

PRINCE2 is a project management method for all types of project.  PRINCE2 focuses on the management aspects, such as the Business Case, project organisation, plans, controls, quality and risk, and separates these from the specialist task of delivering the outputs of the project (which may include procured products).

PRINCE2 is ‘process-based’ in that all the project management activities may be easily scaled up or down to suit the requirements of the project.

Throughout the project, PRINCE2 encourages the Project Manager and Project Board to focus on the business justification of the project.  At the end of each stage, the Business Case is reviewed to ensure continued viability of the project.

PRINCE2 encourages and supports involvement of the user(s) and all the other stakeholders who have an interest in the project’s outcome or who are affected by it in any way.

A PRINCE2 project is sub-divided into stages to provide assessment points for senior management to monitor progress and control the project.  The end stage represents a key decision and commitment point.  The number of stages is totally flexible, based on such considerations as project size, complexity, risk, significance and criticality.

If the project is part of a programme, PRINCE2 provides the necessary interfaces with programme management.

PRINCE2 is designed to meet requirements of recognised quality management standards.

Customer/Supplier Relationship

PRINCE2 assumes that within any project there are various groups of people with specific interests in the project and its outcome, including:

• Customers who have commissioned the work and will be benefiting from the end results
• Users who will use or operate the final product(s) (the customer and user may be the same group of people in some situations)
• Suppliers who are providing specialist resources and/or skills to the project, or are providing goods and services

PRINCE2 recognises that the customer and supplier may come from separately managed areas and typically from commercially separate organisations.

Tailoring

PRINCE2’s concepts and processes represent good management practices in project management.  Each concept and process needs to be applied to suit the specific needs of the project.  Tailoring the method involves consideration of such issues as project size, risk, cost, duration, quality, importance and location.  Tailoring to suit the circumstances is critical to the successful application of PRINCE2.  The philosophy behind each concept and process in PRINCE2 can be applied to both the smallest and largest projects.