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We are passionate about business change. We help people improve the way they deliver projects and programmes.
We are passionate about business change. We help people improve the way they deliver projects and programmes.
PRINCE2 is a process-based project management method. Simply put, this means that it is a framework within which a project can be effectively managed by following a defined set of activities.
It is possible to use PRINCE2 in partnership with DSDM Atern, the UK's leading agile framework. For more information see Using PRINCE2 with DSDM Atern.
PRINCE2 is the de-facto project management method in the UK. It is practiced nationally and internationally in both public and private sector companies. This makes PRINCE2 a highly-transferrable skill, which is widely recognised and understood. PRINCE2 provides an environment and a set of terminology understood by individuals and organisations.
The PRINCE2 project management methodology is the de-facto standard for project management in the UK and is practiced worldwide. It covers the management, control and organisation of a project.
Many organisations, both private and public, mandate the use of PRINCE2 and therefore require their staff to be competent and qualified to practice the method.
In PRINCE2, the importance of the business-case cannot be overemphasized.
At the start of a project, the business-case plays a key role in determining whether the project is feasible (do the benefits justify the cost?). Subsequently, the business-case is reviewed throughout the project to ensure that this remains the case. If, during the project, the business-case no longer justifies the project, then correct action can be quickly taken (cancel the project? reduce the scope?). Finally, the business-case can be reviewed at the end of the project to evaluate how the business benefits were met, and to feed into lessons-learned for the next project where appropriate.
Management by Exception is a core feature of a PRINCE2 project. What this means is that the Project Manager is free to manage the project by his or her own judgement as long as pre-agreed tolerances (typically time and budget) are not exceeded.
Senior management need only intervene when there is an exception to these tolerances. Not only does this avoid micro-management by the senior management team, it also ensures that their time is not unnecessarily burdened. It also empowers the Project Manager to deal effectively with the many smaller project issues which will inevitably be encountered during the life of a project.
PRINCE2 prescribes a strong focus on monitoring and control, with well defined management products provided for each process. In addition, projects are split into a number of Stages, each of which offers a control point for the project. At the end of each Stage, the Project Board must give approval to progress using the plan for the next stage.
During each Stage, progress is monitored using highlight reports at an agreed frequency and depth. These are produced by the Project Manager, and can be written or verbal, and as detailed as is agreed necessary. In some cases, a very short highlight report simply confirming that there are no issues and that the team are still on track to meet the plan would be sufficient.
PRINCE2 offers a technique known as a Product Breakdown Structures, which essentially involves starting with the highest-level products that the project is intended to produce (e.g. a house) and breaking these down into the constituent products one level at a time (e.g. roof, walls, foundations). This is repeated until an appropriate level is reached where each product is neither too big to estimate and manage, nor so small that it becomes too trivial or makes little business sense.
Placing emphasis on products, instead of activities, helps PRINCE2 to maintain the focus on the goal of each piece of work; it is, after all, the products and not the activities that are the desired output from the project.
If applied in its entirety regardless of the project, PRINCE2 can be unwieldy and overly bureaucratic. With careful tailoring, however, its application can be crafted to fit any project.
PRINCE2 is fully scalable, though on very small projects an agile method may be more appropriate (agile methods can also be used on large projects if desired).
PRINCE2 places a strong focus on control using time and cost tolerances within a project, which makes it less suitable for projects where time and cost are fixed. PRINCE2 does touch upon the use of scope, quality, risk and benefit tolerance to deal with the unexpected, but these are less frequently used in a PRINCE2 environment.
In fixed-deadline projects, it is worth considering a method which focuses on scope tolerance, such as DSDM Atern. It is possible to combine PRINCE2 and DSDM Atern to realise the benefits of both approaches.
PRINCE2 has a well-defined management structure, but does not offer as much guidance at the team level. There is also very little content related to people management. Agile methods tend to focus more on people issues. For example, DSDM Atern offers advice on generating a no-blame culture and empowering team members.
When a change to a requirement is received into a PRINCE2 project, it is handled with the use of a Project Issue. This issue is reviewed and categorised as either a request for change or an off-specification. This categorisation is usually indicative of the party that will bear the cost of the change (the former would be paid for by the customer, whilst the latter would be paid for by the supplier).
In contrast, agile methods such as DSDM Atern handle change in a different fashion. On a DSDM Atern project, change is expected. Because time and cost are fixed, a new requirement entering a project will go through a prioritisation process to determine whether, for example, a less important requirement can be delayed or dropped to provide the time to introduce the new requirement. To read more about this, please visit the DSDM Atern Home.
Of potential interest is the website of The Office of Government Commerce (OGC) (the author of the PRINCE2 method). Finally, for completeness, the Wikipedia article on PRINCE2 provides some useful user-contributed insight.
Choosing a training or consultancy provider can sometimes be difficult. With TCC, you can be certain that you are making the right choice. We are dedicated to ensuring that all our customers are completely satisfied with their training or consultancy experience and believe that this is why so many of them recommend us to their colleagues and friends.
You can choose from a range of PRINCE2 courses on our public schedule or we can arrange a tailored corporate event to be delivered at your preferred venue and time. Our team will be there for you before, during and after the event. If you are not sure what PRINCE2 development path is right for you, a TCC Training Advisor will always be on hand to discuss your options.
Read more about why TCC is the right choice for your PRINCE2 training and PRINCE2 consultancy requirements or contact us to discuss your specific needs.
Extensive experience in PRINCE2 training, consultancy and supportTCC has been an Accredited PRINCE2 provider since 2003 and a specialist in project methods and frameworks since 1981. We have worked with PRINCE since its inception and most recently have contributed to the PRINCE2 2009 Refresh. Our team of PRINCE2 trainers and consultants are experts in their field and all have first-hand experience of real PRINCE2 projects.
Many organisations have entrusted TCC with their PRINCE2 corporate training needs, based on our proven expertise in the area. Our commitment to developing long-standing relationships with individuals and organisations, across all sectors, means we always aim to deliver the right training and project support for you, both now and in the future.
Consistently high pass rates at PRINCE2 Foundation and PRINCE2 Practitioner levelOur PRINCE2 pass rates are amongst the highest of all UK training providers and have been consistently so over the years. We also keep in view, however, the need for people to understand the reality of using the PRINCE2 approach, and to have the knowledge to handle the complex issues which arise when managing real-world projects.
High quality course materialsAt TCC we take your learning very seriously and provide you with everything you need, not only to be successful in the examinations, but also to support you as you set out on your PRINCE2 journey.
Every delegate is provided with a copy of the official PRINCE2 manual, but will additionally receive a case study, student notes with paper copies of all slides, the PRINCE2 Major Themes book (exclusive to TCC), examination practice questions and many other extras, all included in the price.
Our course materials are developed in-house and have received independent accreditation from The APM Group. This means you cannot get the TCC experience anywhere else. It also ensures that we have full control over the enhancement and future development of our materials - which means a better quality course for you.
Free access to 'Quizical'On booking your PRINCE2 course with us, you will receive free access to Quizical - TCC's fully-featured multiple choice examination practice tool. Quizical allows you to test yourself on-line against PRINCE2 questions typical of those that will appear in the real examinations. It also provides statistics on your performance and allows you to configure tests options, such as number of questions and topic weightings, to focus on the areas in which you most need the practice.
This tool is also sold separately from TCC courses, but as one of our PRINCE2 delegates you will receive unlimited free access before and during your PRINCE2 course, via your own PC.
One clear priceIt is sometimes hard to know what the price of a training course actually includes. TCC courses have one clear price. No extras or surcharges - everything during the course days is included: examination fees; pre-course reading; full course materials, PRINCE2 manual; Quizical access; lunch and refreshments throughout the day. We also cater sensitively to any special needs you may have.
It is our belief that the course experience should be as hassle-free as possible and we work hard to make sure that this is the case.
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