An Introduction to Prince2
PRINCE stands for PROjects IN Controlled Environments.
Prince2 is a structured method for effective project management. It is a process-based approach for project management providing an easily tailored and scalable method the management of all types of projects. The method is the de-facto standard for project management in the UK and is practiced worldwide.
A Potted History of Prince
The method was established by the central computer and telecommunications agency in 1989, originally developed from a project management method created by Simpact Systems in 1975 this was originally known as PROMPTII. Four years later in 1979 it was adopted by the CCTA (know known as the Office of Government Commerce) as the standard used for all government information projects.
Ten year later, 1989 arrives and
Prince2 is being used all across the world
Did you know that PRINCE2 has spread across the globe? Okay, so it's owned by the Office of Government Commerce (OGC) in the UK - but it's travelled a long way since its introduction in 1996.
You may be aware also that PRINCE2 is huge in Australia, New Zealand and the Netherlands.
But did you know it is also used as the Method of Choice in:
Exciting new Video with PMP exam tips
Many of you will have heard of Dave Litten - a Prince 2 accredited trainer and somewhat of a Project Management Guru. I spoke to Dave yesterday (from his sunny villa in Spain) and I'm very excited to announce that he's working on training video's for people studying for their Prince2 accreditation. I saw a sample video... it was fantastic!
Prince2 Project Management videos
Videos showing everything from basic Project Management principles, prince2, project management hints, microsoft project training, project control and other aspects of PMP and Project Management Methodologies:
Essential Project Management eBooks for just 1.99
Here is a fantastic digital product: an exclusive ZIP file containing PDF eBook on Project Management.
This is a collection of digital eBooks in PDF format that cover a broad swathe of Project Mangement focused areas. From hints & tips through to solid PM principles it's a collection that everyone should have to hand. Can be easily printed, read on the screen or copied onto your PDA or smart phone (for reading on the train)
The Eight Project Management Skills
Back in my early twenties I joined a company called JBA. Based in Chertsey they were a software house specialising on the IBM System 38 (later to become the AS400 or iSeries). As an IT Consultant, my role was as diverse as plugging in printers, designing core software changes to affect hundreds of customers, writing specifications for application change and redevelopment through to meeting customers for project kickoff, planning and signoff.
Risk Assessment and Management
You've used your Project Management Tools to create a detailed plan for your project and you believe you've accounted for everything.
What could possibly go wrong? Plenty! The question is, "Where will the project go awry and what can you do to avert disaster?" Assessing and managing risks is the best weapon you have against project catastrophes. By evaluating your plan for potential problems and developing strategies to address them, you'll improve your chances of a successful, if not perfect, project.
Just what is a Project?
Dave Litten is a leading Project Management Trainer and established Prince2 Guru. He gave me an excellent definition of what makes a Project:
So What Is A Project?
Let’s start with what it isn’t: Your ‘normal’ job might be managing or running a department, carrying out a set of services, managing a team, creating products, etc.This is broadly called ‘operations management’. You come into work each day and perform your normal work duties. Now these can change and be different each day. Imagine for a moment that you are on a help desk of some sort. Each day would be different depending upon what ‘help’ you are asked for. Your daily job itself is permanent.
Now a Project is different. It is a one time event, it is unique, it has an agreed set of objectives, and it has a distinct beginning and end. At its simplest, even making a cup of coffee has all the hallmarks of a project. Project Management is all about managing change.
Teaching Yourself How
www.teaching-yourself-how.comLearn Project Management and Life skills from the best!
Dave Litten is one of the UK's best known Prince2 accredited trainers. His resume is longer than my arm and he has run more projects than I've had hot dinners. He is now in semi-retirement and splits his time between flying all over Europe running Prince2 Training courses and working from his Spanish Villa publishing Project Management and Life Skills articles on his website.
