A guide to PRINCE2: Principles, themes, and processes

When to use PRINCE2

PRINCE2 is best suited for defined requirement projects and projects with external stakeholders. It emphasizes starting with clearly defined deliverables and provides a clear process for dealing with vendors effectively.

PRINCE2 components

PRINCE2 consists of principles, themes, and processes that help ensure alignment between the project and the business goals.

Principles

• Continued business justification: Revisit the business feasibility of the project throughout the process.
• Learn from experience: Record and learn from lessons for future projects.
• Defined roles and responsibilities: Establish clear roles and responsibilities among team members.
• Manage by stages: Define the deliverables and outcomes of each stage before starting the project.
• Manage by exception: Grant authority to some team members for daily decision-making to manage projects effectively.
• Focus on products: Emphasize the importance of deliverables and outcomes.
• Tailor to suit the project environment: Adapt PRINCE2 to fit the specific project environment.

Themes

• Business case: Establish clear business goals and problem-solving strategies.
• Change: Establish guidelines and procedures to manage project change requests.
• Organization: Build the right project team structure for successful execution.
• Plans: Create a comprehensive project plan with resources, timelines, and deliverables.
• Progress: Monitor and control the project's progress and outcomes.
• Quality: Define quality standards for project deliverables and ensure they are met.
• Risk: Identify, assess, manage, and mitigate project risks.

Processes

PRINCE2 defines a set of sequenced activities to guide the project team throughout the project lifecycle. These processes include starting up a project, initiating a project, directing a project, managing a stage boundary, controlling a stage, managing product delivery, and closing a project.

How to master PRINCE2

To work effectively in a PRINCE2 environment or lead projects using the methodology, individuals often pursue the PRINCE2 foundation certificate or the PRINCE2 practitioner certificate. However, it's important to note that following PRINCE2 does not guarantee project success.