What is PRINCE2?

What does PRINCE2 stand for?

PRINCE2 stands for (PRojects IN Controlled Environments) and it a non-proprietary project management methodology which can be applied to any type of project with a designated start and finish date.

What is the history of PRINCE2?

PRINCE was originally based on PROMPT, a project management method created by Simpact Systems Ltd in 1975. PROMPT was adopted by CCTA in 1979 as the standard to be used for all Government information system projects. The CCTA later changed its name to the OGC (the Office of Government Commerce).

In 1989 PRINCE was launched and replaced PROMPT for all Government projects. PRINCE remains in the public domain and copyright is retained by the Crown. PRINCE is a registered trademark of OGC.

During 1996 PRINCE2 was published, having been contributed to by a consortium of some 150 European organisations.

Why is it important?

PRINCE2 is a non-proprietary Project Management methodology used in over 150 countries around the world. In Europe some 18,000+ organisations have adopted PRINCE2 and is very much the defacto Project Management Standard. Recent employment surveys show that PRINCE2 is a key requirement of 70% of surveyed (internet advertised) Project Management vacancies during the last quarter of 2010. Bearing this in mind PRINCE2 is a qualification you need to attain if you want to pursue a professional career in Project Management.

PRINCE2 in summary

Is a painting by numbers method which if applied correctly to your project will deliver efficiently your designated outputs in accordance with your projects defined objectives. It does this at the highest level by teaching you to set-up and deliver your project using four integrated elements:-

• Principles – basis of what makes a PRINCE2 project
  
  • PRINCE2 project is based on continuous business justification
  • PRINCE2 Project teams learn from previous experience (lessons are collected and acted upon throughout the life of a project)
  • PRINCE2 project have defined and agreed roles and responsibilities which are structured within an organisation which provides project governance through the engagement of users, business sponsors and suppliers.
  • PRINCE2 projects are planned, monitored and controlled on a stage-by-stage basis. PRINCE2 projects are managed in stages.
  • PRINCE2 projects have defined tolerances for each project objective. This is involves the use of the management by exception approach.
  • PRINCE2 projects are focused on the definition and delivery of products. Focus is also given to the delivery of such products in accordance with predefined  scope and quality requirements
  • PRINCE2 is tailorable and can be made to work any project environment in terms of size, complexity, importance, capability and risk.

• Themes – Project Management activities which must be done throughout a projects life cycle.
  • Business Case – Why are we doing this project?
  • Organisation – Who is involved in delivering this project?
  • Quality – In terms of what we do.
  • Plans – How? How Much? When?
  • Risk – What if?
  • Change – What’s the impact?
  • Progress – Where are we now? Where are we heading? Should we continue?

• Processes – Activities required to direct, managing and delivering a project. These processes representing the key activities of the four levels of management.
  • Corporate or Programme Management
  • The Project Board
  • The Project Manager
  • The Team Manager

What are the levels of Certification I can attain?

• Foundation – This certifies that you understand PRINCE2

• Practitioner – This certifies that you can apply PRINCE2

What Involved in Getting PRINCE2 Qualified?

• If you want to become a PRINCE2 Practitioner, you MUST sit the Foundation Examination and then the Practitioner Examination, in that order.

• You can sit both exams in the same week or even day, or you can split them and sit them months or years apart.

• If you pass both examinations in the same week, you will receive a Practitioner Certificate but not a Foundation Certificate — as you cannot sit the Practitioner exam without first having passed the Foundation, it is not necessary to send a separate Foundation Certificate.

Small amount of effort in my view for something of such value of your interested in a career in Project Management.

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