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bullet2 PRINCE2 - Project Management

Modified extract from " Prince2 A Practical Handbook " by Colin Bentley ISBN 0750632402

What is Prince2?

PRINCE2  is the latest version of a project management method which was introduced on the 1st October 1996.  It is a methodology for the management of any type or size of project, not just for computer system development (where it began life).  It is still compatible with the system development methodologies used in government IT project, and accommodates their use for the technical aspects of development.

The PRINCE2  philosophy is that project management must be built around:
  • The products required by the customer (or user)
  • The activities needed to produce those products
  • A method of planning which starts from the required products and incorporates the derived activities
  • A series of control based on those products which cover quality, schedule and cost
  • An organisational structure which defines the essential roles, responsibilities, level of decision-making and lines of communication
  • A statement of the project management steps required to start a project, control of its evolution and bring it to a conclusion, and those steps interlinked with the other components described above.

PRINCE2  offers a process-based approach to key areas of project management.  

It covers:
  • The steps in managing a project
  • Project organisation
  • Planning
  • Control

It interfaces with existing and well-proven techniques and procedures such as:
  • People management techniques, such as motivation and team leadership styles
  • Network planning
  • Bar charting
  • The management of risk

The AWC will use PRINCE2 whenever appropriate, either internally to manage the project or to produce documentation for the customers project.  The consultancy believes that all projects require:
  • at least a subset of the PRINCE 2 document set  to define and control its progress
  • the identification of the various roles and responsibilities
  • the use of PRINCE 2 as part of the quality assurance process


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    This web page was updated 18/06/2003.
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