PRINCE2 Projects
PRINCE2 projects vary massively. The method was originally developed for national level IT projects i.e. High complexity, high risk, multiple stakeholders.
As the method has evolved it has managed to become more generic and widely applicable and can be applied in a very wide range of circumstances.
The key thing about PRINCE2 projects is consistency, the defined and well understood structure of principles, themes and processes means that an outsider should be able to step into the project, pick it up and contribute quickly.
The roles and documentation expected on a PRINCE2 project are also well understood and defined. This is a big advantage when implementing a PRINCE2 project as everything is there laid out for you to start and who know what you need to decide, who you need to agree things with etc.
That doesn’t just mean project management by numbers and an absolutely core part of PRINCE2 is the tailoring of the default PRINCE2 method to match the needs of the particular project (the ‘environment’).
It is in this crucial area where PRINCE2 projects can fail where project managers try to follow the method slavishly on a project which does not require the full complexity or documentation or process resulting in a massive overhead and the incorrect thought that PRINCE2 is bureaucratic.
Or alternatively the project manager or organisation claim to be using PRINCE2 for their project(s) but are just cherry picking a few roles and documents and are delivering PINO (PRINCE2 In Name Only).
A good check for this is the test of whether the seven principles can be recognised and to ensure good independent assurance is undertaken and a Gateway process is employed.
PRINCE2©
Projects
Community Edition provides the full PRINCE2 2009 and PRINCE2 2005 methods with official templates, navigation structure and guidance tips. Free software to use as long as you want. Download here.
All PROJECT in a box commercial packages provide extended versions of the free methods above; the very popular pre scaled PRINCE2 methods which are suitable for smaller less complex projects. With these packages you can also personalise/customise your methods.
Product Focus (click icon for full info)
PRINCE2 Resources
The following links allow you to explore some of the PRINCE2 areas:
Or why not find out more about other project and programme methodologies:
Managing Successful Programmes
ITIL
PMI/PMBok