PRINCE2

PRINCE2. PRINCE2 is a structured, process-driven project management methodology widely adopted by governments and private organizations globally. Originally developed by the UK Government's Central Computer and Telecommunications Agency, it is now owned by the joint venture company AXELOS. The framework provides a systematic approach for delivering projects within a clearly defined framework, emphasizing business justification, defined organization structure, and controlled stages.

Overview

The methodology originated from the earlier PROMPT II method, with the UK Government mandating its use for all information systems projects. The name is an acronym for **PR**ojects **IN** **C**ontrolled **E**nvironments. It is designed to be generic and can be applied to any project regardless of scale, type, organization, geography, or culture. Its widespread adoption is evident in its use by entities like the United Nations and various national governments, influencing other frameworks such as Managing Successful Programmes. The methodology is documented in an official manual published by AXELOS.

Principles

The framework is founded on seven guiding principles which are considered universal and must be applied to every project. These include continued business justification, learning from experience, defining roles and responsibilities, managing by stages, managing by exception, focusing on products, and tailoring to suit the project environment. These principles ensure the method remains aligned with core project management values, providing a foundation for the application of its themes and processes. They are derived from lessons learned on countless projects and are a key differentiator from more prescriptive methodologies.

Themes

The seven themes describe aspects of project management that must be addressed continually throughout the project lifecycle. They are business case, organization, quality, plans, risk, change, and progress. Each theme provides the specific management products, techniques, and controls needed to support the principles. For instance, the business case theme ensures a viable rationale is maintained, while the organization theme clearly defines the project board, project manager, and team roles. These themes are integrated within the processes to provide comprehensive project governance.

Processes

The methodology is delivered through seven processes which provide a step-by-step progression for managing a project. These are starting up a project, directing a project, initiating a project, controlling a stage, managing product delivery, managing a stage boundary, and closing a project. Each process is defined by its key inputs, activities, and outputs, with specific responsibilities assigned to the project board and project manager. This process model ensures projects are properly authorized, monitored, and controlled from conception to final delivery, aligning with the principles of managing by stages and by exception.

Tailoring and implementation

A core tenet is that the framework must be tailored to suit the specific context of the project and the environment of the organization. This involves scaling the processes, themes, and management products to fit the project's size, complexity, importance, and capability. Guidance for tailoring is provided within the official manual from AXELOS, and it is a critical skill for practitioners to ensure the method adds value without becoming bureaucratic. Successful implementation often involves integrating the framework with an organization's existing standards, such as those from the International Organization for Standardization, or complementary practices like Agile software development.

Certifications

A global certification scheme, administered by AXELOS through Examination Institutes like PeopleCert, validates an individual's knowledge and ability to apply the method. The primary pathway includes the Foundation level, which tests basic terminology and understanding, and the Practitioner level, which assesses the ability to apply and tailor the methodology in realistic scenarios. Higher-level qualifications, such as the Professional designation, involve a practical assessment. These certifications are highly regarded by employers, including major consultancies and government bodies like the NHS, and are often a prerequisite for project management roles in many sectors. Category:Project management