PRINCE2™ Certification: An Introduction
PRINCE2™ is a highly regarded project management methodology; which, over recent years has set the standard in the UK as a balanced, best practice project management approach. Although it was initially developed for use by UK government departments; PRINCE2™’s success and ongoing development has seen it take root in the private sector as well and it has now, as a result of its popularity, also become increasingly recognised abroad. However, in spite of PRINCE2™’S popularity in the business world, it still remains relatively unheard of to the general public; so what is PRINCE2™, where did it come from and how can it help you to achieve your business’ strategic goals?
The origins of PRINCE2™ Training
The Office of Government Commerce (The OGC) formerly known as the Central Computer and Telecommunications Agency, first started using the PRINCE2™ methodology in 1989. Initially it was developed to standardise the approach central government took to IT projects; ensuring that the agenda set in their implementation represented best practice principles and was results driven. Due to its overwhelming success, PRINCE2™ has since been enhanced and expanded into a generic project management solution; initially being used in other government departments but subsequently making the shift into the private sector. From its fairly obscure beginnings, PRINCE2™ certification has become the de facto standard for project management in the UK and is receiving increased attention on the international stage.
Methodology Overview
Projects abound in all companies; be them simple team based projects or complex companywide ones; and the success of your business is ultimately dependent on their efficient completion. There are, however, generic roles and strategies that can be applied to any project, regardless of size or complexity and PRINCE2™ training helps one to identify these. The PRINCE2™ project management method applies a generic structure to the management of any project, as (in broad terms) to succeed one must be capable of identifying a projects’ key objectives, selecting the right approach and then managing the individual tasks necessary to for its completion. Furthermore, one must be capable of looking back once a project has been completed and assessing its effectiveness; both in the light of your teams’ efficiency and, of course, the project's intended goals.
PRINCE, which stands for Projects IN Controlled Environments, is a process based approach and as such, it breaks down each essential process within a given project to the constituent components required for its completion and then sets this within the broader context of the projects guiding strategy. Ultimately, as PRINCE2™s’ name suggests, it aims to control the environmental factors which the project is dependent on, viewing it as a collection of interdependent parts rather than a whole. This has the benefits of creating more manageable workloads and helping to define each individuals’ role within the project more easily. Whilst from a management perspective; clearly defining the processes necessary for your projects’ completion helps you to keep sight of your core objectives and allows for the easy identification of barriers to success. The following are some key features and core principles that characterise the PRINCE2™ project management approach:
Focus on Roles and Results
- Clearly defined project objectives.
- Clearly defined individual roles and management structures.
Strategy
- Identification of key project variables.
- Documentation of procedures and project requirements.
- Development of a clear project timeline with a beginning, middle and end.
Accountability
- Focus on responsible management and consultation.
- The accessibility of both management and stakeholders at key points within the projects’ lifespan.
- Risk assessment and management.
Quality
- Ensuring good communication throughout the chain of command.
- Commonly agreed standards of work.
- Assessment of results.
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