PRINCE2®

PRINCE2^® Project Management

PRINCE2™ (Projects in Controlled Environments), is one of the world’s leading IT project management methodologies. Originally developed specifically for IT projects, the PRINCE method takes a controlled and steady approach to project management, making it ideal for large scale projects while still being scalable to smaller ones.

The updated PRINCE2^® project management method deals with the organization, management, and control of projects.

Get your copy of the official PRINCE2 manual today >>

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Key Benefits of PRINCE2

• Helps organizations deliver projects on time and on budget
• Increased ROI on projects
• Enables business change and continual improvement
• Is customer focused meaning it will help you to deliver what the business actually needs
• Helps organizations manage risks in line with their risk appetite

The predecessor of PRINCE2, PRINCE, was developed for IT projects. With the evolution of the PRINCE2 method, PRINCE2 has been broadened in scope and is widely applicable to all manners of type and size of project.

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PRINCE2 - The Method

The PRINCE2 method integrates four different elements to form a comprehensive framework for managing and delivering projects. The four elements are:

1. Principles

These guiding principles and best practices determine whether a project is being managed using PRINCE2. In total there are seven principles and if all of them are not being met the project in question is not a genuine PRINCE2 project.

2. Themes

There are seven themes in PRINCE2 that need to be continually addressed in parallel throughout a project. The themes describe how certain project management disciplines require treatment by PRINCE2 and why they are necessary.

3. Processes

There are seven processes in PRINCE2. These are all described in detail in the official PRINCE2 manual.

The processes are:

• Starting up a project - Preparing a project brief, assigning roles, defining the approach, and planning the next stage.
• Initiating a project - Planning a project, project controls, business case, project initiation document.
• Directing a project - Authorizing a project, project direction, and project closure.
• Controlling a stage - Authorizing work to be undertaken and its completion; assessing and reviewing progress.
• Managing stage boundaries - Planning the stages of the project, updating the project plan, business case and risk assessment, creating an exception plan.
• Managing product delivery - Delivering a work package to agreed requirements.
• Closing a project - Executing a controlled close to the project.

4. Tailoring PRINCE2 to the Project Environment

This element deals with tailoring PRINCE2 to the project environment.

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PRINCE2 Accreditation, Training and Distance Learning

AXELOS, the owner of the methodology, runs the accreditation scheme for PRINCE2 professional qualifications through examination institutes. There are currently three levels of PRINCE2 qualification:

• PRINCE2 Foundation
• PRINCE2 Practitioner
• PRINCE2 Professional

In order to become a PRINCE2 Practitioner, you need to pass the Foundation exam followed by the Practitioner exam. All PRINCE2 Practitioners are required to re-register their qualification within a three to five year window by sitting the PRINCE2 Re-Registration exam.

The PRINCE2 Professional qualification is for those PRINCE2 Practitioners who wish to demonstrate their expertise in the PRINCE2 method. It is not an exam-based qualification; instead you attend a two-and-a-half day residential assessment where your ability to manage a non-complex PRINCE2 project is assessed against 19 performance criteria.