Why you should work with PRINCE 2® in your project management

PRINCE 2® focuses on clear communication, clear agreements, effective expectation management, and flexibility. The method is used in Denmark by both public and private organizations and companies.

By CfL, May 2022

If you are a leader or project manager, you have surely heard of PRINCE 2®. It is one of the most popular project management frameworks used today. PRINCE 2® is internationally recognized and can be advantageously applied to project management in both large and small companies.

What is PRINCE 2®?

The PRINCE 2® method was established in 1996 and is an abbreviation of Projects In Controlled Environments. The method is based on best practice in project management and has been used by organizations around the world since its inception.

PRINCE 2® is a generic project management method, meaning that it can be used to manage all types of projects, regardless of size, industry, or complexity.

The PRINCE 2® method contains a series of principles, themes, and processes, all of which are interlinked:

• Principles: These form the foundation of PRINCE 2® and must be adhered to throughout the project.
• Themes: These provide guidance on key aspects of project management that must be addressed in every phase of the project.
• Processes: These encompass the activities that must be carried out to successfully complete a project.

PRINCE 2® therefore not only deals with the management and control of a project but also with ensuring that the project becomes a success. The method can be advantageously combined with other methods and frameworks, such as agile, DevOps, etc.

Hvordan virker PRINCE 2®?

PRINCE 2® is a standardized framework that consists of a complete set of processes and elements required for successful project management.

As mentioned earlier, the method contains seven principles, themes, and processes, all of which are interlinked.

The seven principles of PRINCE 2® are regarded as guidelines for best practice, and you should therefore not break these principles if you want to ensure the best outcome. They are not rules that must be followed rigidly – you can use your judgment to determine how best to apply them in each situation.

The seven principles of PRINCE 2®:

1. Continued business justification
2. Learn from experience
3. Defined roles and responsibilities
4. Manage by stages
5. Manage by exception
6. Focus on products
7. Tailor to suit the project environment

Under these seven principles are seven processes that ensure a standardized way of executing projects – a kind of checklist if you will.

The seven processes in PRINCE 2®:

1. Starting up a project
2. Directing a project
3. Initiating a project
4. Controlling a stage
5. Managing product delivery
6. Managing a stage boundary
7. Closing a project

Finally, there are seven defined themes in PRINCE 2®. The themes are central elements in project management and help to manage the various processes.

The seven themes in PRINCE 2®:

1. Business case: Ensures that there is a clear justification for executing a project and that it will provide value to the organization.
2. Organization: Ensures that roles and responsibilities are defined.
3. Quality: Ensures that the products are fit for purpose and meet the users’ needs.
4. Plans: Provides a detailed roadmap for the execution of the project.
5. Risk: Helps to identify and mitigate risks to the project’s success.
6. Change: Ensures that changes in the project are controlled and managed in a way that does not jeopardize the project’s success.
7. Progress: Ensures that the project is proceeding as planned, with the expected progress.

The PRINCE 2® method is therefore built on a number of overall elements that ensure that the most important aspects of a project are taken into account. These elements also ensure that you can tailor the PRINCE 2® method to your needs.

The benefits of using PRINCE 2®

Besides being internationally recognized and used by many companies, there are also several other advantages to using PRINCE 2®.

For example, PRINCE 2® is process-based, meaning that it provides a clear and well-defined structure for managing projects. This makes it an excellent choice for complex or large projects as well as projects that need to be completed in a short time.

Furthermore, the method is flexible and can be tailored to suit the specific needs of each project. It is easy to use and understand, making it ideal for projects managed by people who are new to project management.

It is also an advantage that PRINCE 2® is a de facto project management standard in the public sector in Denmark and is widely used across all sectors in the private sector.

Overall, the PRINCE 2® method provides comprehensive and well-defined project management that is suitable for a wide range of projects. Its international recognition and widespread use make it a safe choice for anyone wishing to manage a project successfully. Read more about general project management here.

What is the difference between PRINCE 2® and Scrum?

There are many project management methods, and it can be difficult to distinguish them from one another. Another very well-known method, for example, is Scrum.

The biggest difference between PRINCE 2® and Scrum is that PRINCE 2® focuses on management, while Scrum is more product-oriented. With PRINCE 2®, you receive a set of guidelines for how to manage a project from start to finish. Scrum, on the other hand, does not provide as many details but focuses more on the product and on doing it as well as possible.

It is important to choose the right method for your project, depending on its nature.

PRINCE 2® is more suitable for large, complex projects that need to be well organized and controlled, while Scrum is better for smaller projects where the focus is on the product itself.

Because the two methods are different, they do not exclude each other. In fact, it can be a clear advantage to be familiar with both PRINCE 2® and Scrum. The relationship between PRINCE 2® and Scrum is not an either/or situation, but rather a both/and approach.

The two methodologies complement each other very well, and having knowledge of both gives you, as a project manager, the opportunity to work with projects both on an overall level and in the daily management of the project.

So if you want to become a well-rounded project manager, it is definitely worth learning both PRINCE 2® and Scrum.

Who is PRINCE 2® aimed at?

The PRINCE 2® method is intended for everyone involved in the design, development, and delivery of a project. This includes project managers as well as key individuals involved in planning, executing, and monitoring projects.

PRINCE 2® training courses are designed to provide you with the skills and knowledge necessary to successfully manage projects using the PRINCE 2® framework.

Whether you are new to project management or an experienced professional, a PRINCE 2® certification can help take your career to the next level. If you want to improve your project management skills and learn best practices, a PRINCE 2® certification is definitely for you.

With a PRINCE 2® certification, you can demonstrate to potential employers that you have the skills and knowledge necessary to manage projects effectively.

Become PRINCE 2® certified with CfL

At CfL, we offer three different PRINCE 2® certifications: PRINCE 2® Foundation, PRINCE 2® Practitioner, and PRINCE 2® Agile.

The PRINCE 2® Foundation certification is an entry qualification that provides you with a basic understanding of the PRINCE 2® method.

The PRINCE 2® Practitioner certification is the next level, building on the foundation and giving you a more in-depth understanding of how to apply PRINCE 2® in projects. Finally, PRINCE 2® Agile combines the method with agile too ls such as Scrum, Kanban, and Lean Startup.

You will undoubtedly achieve the best results by combining all three courses, as they create a solid and specialized understanding of the method as a whole. In addition, you will be able to apply the PRINCE 2® methods to a wide range of projects.