PRINCIPLES

The principles on which PRINCE2 originates from lessons learned from projects that have gone both well and poorly. They provide a framework of good practice for anyone participating in the project.

The 7 principles are:

1. Continued business justification: A PRINCE2 project has a justifiable recorded reason to start that remains valid throughout the project.
2. Learn from experience: The project team seeks out, records and acts upon lessons throughout the project's lifetime.
3. Defined roles and responsibilities: There is a clear project organization structure engaging the business, user and supplier interests in the project and containing agreed roles and responsibilities.
4. Manage by stages: The project is planned, monitored and controlled stage-by-stage.
5. Manage by exception: Each project objective is defined with a tolerance so as to establish limits of delegated authority.
6. Focus on products: There is a focus on defining and delivering products, especially the quality requirements of those products.

7. Tailor to suit the project environment: PRINCE2 is used in a way that fits with the specific environment, size, importance, complexity, capability and risk of the project.

THEMES

The themes describe how the aspects of the project to be governed and continually addressed throughout its lifetime. They comprise the major elements of a project plan and represent a 'contract' for good project management.

PROCESSES

Processes, through the PRINCE2 process model, explain what has to be done to direct and manage the project by applying the 'contract' in an appropriate manner specific to your project.

TECHNIQUES

PRINCE2 includes hints about the individual techniques that can be applied within a project, expecting the reader to explore these techniques further for themselves. However, PRINCE2 particularly takes the effort to explain the Product-Based Planning and Quality Review techniques.

 TEMPLATES

The PRINCE2 method also offers you a set of standard templates for drafting paper-based products to assist with management and delivery of quality. These include plans, reports, product descriptions and others.

Introduction

Definition of PRINCE2

Key Features of PRINCE2

Structure of PRINCE2

What is a Project?

Projects v Products

Scope of PRINCE2

Multiple-choice questions