Changes to PRINCE2® Guidance (July 2009)
PRINCE2® 2009 highlights
PRINCE2® 2009 was launched in London on June 16th 2009 in response to evolving best project management practice, user feedback and a need to make all OGC best practice products consistent. The project manager's manual (Managing Successful projects with PRINCE2TM) is slimmer but now there is a manual for Project Board members as well (Directing Successful projects with PRINCE2TM). As well as reflecting latest project management thinking, the guidance will integrate the 2007 developments in the Office of Government Commerce's risk management guidance.
The revised method does not change the underlying structure of PRINCE2® but it does bring it into greater alignment with MSPTM with the introduction of 7 Principles and 7 Themes. The key differences between the contents of the 2005 and the new 2009 versions are:
| PRINCE2® AREA | 2005 | 2009 |
| Principles | None | 7 Principles - before these were implicit, now they are explicit |
| Themes | 8 Components | 7 Key Themes |
| Processes | 8 Processes | 7 Processes |
| Sub-processes | 45 sub-processes | Activities with recommended actions |
| Techniques | 3 Techniques | 2 Techniques with cross-references to other Books of Knowledge including 'soft' aspects |
| Management Products | 36 Products | 27 Products - the documentation has been rationalised |
| Trouble-shooting | Hints and tips | Hints and tips in Frequently Asked Question style |
There is an emphasis from the methodology's outset on:
- Clarifying what the final product of the project looks like, what it consists of and the levels of quality it needs to achieve.
- Planned activity to review benefits throughout and after the project.
- Drawing on and looking to share lessons learnt throughout the initiative.
With the need to establish project management strategies and the associated emphasis on approach (e.g. to managing quality, risks, configuration management and communications), there is a strong alignment with programme management and the management strategies created as part of setting up any programme management structure.
The method now recognises that all activity undertaken to control the project also occurs during the planning of the project.
To find out more and see vodcasts about the new version of the method, click here.
