Project Management and PRINCE2

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Management

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PRINCE2™

Project Management - PRINCE2™

PRINCE2™ is a structured method for effective project management.

A PRINCE2™ project has the following characteristics:

Clearly defined products.
Corresponding activities to deliver these products.
Defined resources to enable these activities.
A clear management structure.

PRINCE2™ is a widely accepted project management standard based on best practice.

Because the method is protected by Crown Copyright there is a limit to how much detail we can put here. For a full description you will need to buy a copy of the PRINCE2™ manual.

However - below are links to a number of official websites that have more detail about the method.

If you attend one of the courses you will be given a copy of the manual and this is included in the course price.

There are also links to manuals and books that you can buy from Amazon - usually the quickest and cheapest source online. This includes second-hand copies as well as new.

PRINCE2™ Guidance

Office of Government Commerce - PRINCE2™ Website

The OGC, a UK government agency, is the "owner" of the method, as it is under Crown Copyright.

The site has a description of the method including an overview, background, structure and benefits.

There are links to other resources including case studies and user groups.

OGC PRINCE2™ Website

APM Group - PRINCE2™ Website

The APMG runs the official accreditation schemes for PRINCE2™ training providers, trainers and consultants. They also administer the Foundation and Practitioner exams.

Their site has a description of the method and more information about the exams.

The site also has other resources such as case studies, mind maps and project document templates.

APMG PRINCE2™ Website

PRINCE2™ Resources

An excellent resource website for anybody using the method or preparing for the exams.

It includes an overview of the method, guidance on customisation and many links to other useful sites.

For those preparing for the Foundation and Practitioner exams there are practice papers and guidance on examination technique.

PRINCE2™ Resources Website

PRINCE2™ Document Templates

The method defines a number of "Project Management Products" - documents that are produced as part of the project management process.

These include Project Plan, Risk Log, Business Case, Checkpoint Report and Highlight Report.

You can download these (in MS-Word format) for free and tailor them for your own use.

If you are taking a course and the exams you might find these useful to understand the documentation used in the method.

PRINCE2™ Document Templates

PRINCE2™ Books & Manuals

Managing Successful Projects with PRINCE2™

The official and complete PRINCE2™ manual that contains all the detail of the method.

This includes the Process Model which describes, in detail, the steps involved in starting, planning, managing, controlling and closing a project.

Also guidance on various Components of project management including Business Case, Organisation, Plans, Controls, Risk, Quality, Configuration Management and Change Control.

Note: if you attend a course you will be given a copy of this manual as part of your course materials.

Passing The PRINCE2™ Exams

If you are planning to take the Foundation and Practitioner exams you will find this book invaluable. It contains detailed guidance on exam technique, revision guidance and practice papers.

Comprehensive exam practice material will be provided as part of your course.

However you may wish to do some exam preparation before the course and this will help. It will also give you some extra practice papers to work through, to add to those provided on the course.

Tailoring PRINCE2™

New users of the method often find knowing how and where to adapt it to the size and scope of their projects daunting. This can lead to unnecessary levels of formality and detail in smaller, low-risk projects. It can also give the impression of excessive bureaucracy on the part of PRINCE2™.

Conversely, it can also lead to inappropriate short-cuts being taken in other cases, undermining the integrity of the method, and the control and management of risk that it provides.

This book will be useful for project and programme managers who want to apply the method in an effective and pragmatic way rather than just paying lip service to it.

For more information about courses and consultancy contact:
Steve McIntosh on 01736 797122 or 07976 519757

Other Project Management Books