PRINCE (PRojects IN Controlled Environments) is a structured method for effective project management. The method was first established in 1989 by CCTA (the Central Computer and Telecommunications Agency). CCTA (now the Office of Government Commerce) continued to develop the method, and PRINCE2 was launched in 1996 in response to user requirements for improved guidance on project management on all projects, not just information systems. PRINCE2 is based on the experiences of scores of projects, project managers and project teams, who have contributed, some from their mistakes or omissions, others from their successes.
PRINCE2 is a de facto standard used extensively by the UK government and is widely recognised and used in the private sector , both in the UK and internationally Organisations using PRINCE2 derive many benefits: A method that is repeatable; A method that is teachable; Building on experience; Ensuring that everyone knows what to expect, where, how and when; Early warning of problems;
Being proactive, not reactive, but able to accommodate sudden, unexpected events
Controlled management of change, in terms of investment and return on investment
Active involvement of users and stakeholders throughout the project to ensure that the product(s) will meet the business, functional, environmental, service and management requirements.
An approach which distinguishes the management of the project from the development of the product(s), so that the management approach is the same whether the project is to build a ship or implement new working practices;
PRINCE2 provides benefits to the managers and directors of a project and to an organisation, through the controllable use of resources and the ability to manage risk more effectively.
Projects using PRINCE2 also derive many benefits :
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A controlled and organised start, middle and end; Regular reviews of progress against plan and against the Business Case Flexible decision points; Automatic management control of any deviations from the plan The involvement of management and stakeholders at the right time during the project; Good communication channels between the project management team and the rest of the organisation; Agreement on the required quality at the outset and continuous monitoring against those requirements.
Project Managers using PRINCE2 also derive many benefits :
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Ensure that clear Terms of Reference are established; Ensure that the project as a defined organisation, with responsibilities, reporting and decision levels defined; Ensure that the project is divided into manageable stages, so the work in hand can be sensibly defined, planned and achieved; Ensure that the resources required to finish each stage are fully committed; Defining regular but brief management reports; Keeping meetings to a minimum.
Users involved in a PRINCE2 project also derive many benefits :
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Participation in all the decision-making on the project ;
Involvement - in the day-to-day progress, if desired, in a way agreed with the Project Manager; Involvement in specifying, and if required, participating in Quality Checks;
Ensuring that their Requirements are being fully met. Prince is designed to be used on any type of project and in any environment. Prince includes a complete range of processes that are the "minimum requirements" for effective project management.
Prince focuses on delivering a range of specified products, which will enable a range of specified benefits, identified in the Business Case, to be achieved. There will be strategic and business issues around the project, which will need to be addressed through other methods.
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