PRINCE2:2009 Twitter Hour Part 2

Posted on | July 3, 2009 | Author: | lindsayascott | No Comments

Two weeks ago we had the PRINCE2:2009 Twitter Hour with Andy Murray, the lead author of the refreshed project management method. This morning, Friday 3rd July at 11am BST we had Part 2. In this morning’s twitter hour we primarily focused on the Directing / Sponsoring part of PRINCE2 (just one part of the 2009 version).

Here’s the outcome:

PRINCE2:2009 Part 2 Twitter Hour is here – are you ready Andy? First question….

Q.1 So the “Directing” guide has been added to PRINCE2:2009, what does it mean?

The ‘Directing’ guide is a role specific guide for senior managers who direct or sponsor projects.

Directing Guide: I wouldn’t expect Project Board members to read it from cover to cover but to reference it at key points in the project

Directing guide: it provides point in time guidance such as appointing the PM, reviewing and approving various management products etc

Directing Guide: it includes example agendas/checklists for Project Board reviews – and suggestions that they don’t need to be meetings!

Q.2 So how do I get my sponsor to be even aware of this new part to PRINCE2:2009?

Directing guide: Don’t give to Project Board members and ask them to read it all! That’s not how it is intended to be used.

Directing Guide: Do get them to read specific chapters in preparation for key project board activities – such as authorising a stage

Directing Guide: Feedback from pilots was that PMOs / CoEs were using the guide to coach new Project Board members

Directing Guide: Pilot orgs extracted the agendas/checklists & then asked if the Project Board wanted more guidance. They said yes

Q.3 Is there a training course available for Project Sponsors?

Sponsor training: APMG have a Project & Programme Sponsor (PPS) qualification that they developed with the Home Office

Sponsor training: The PPS qualification is being reviewed to see how to incorporate the new PRINCE2 Directing guide.

Sponsor training: Several training providers offer sponsor oriented training (including my company!). Experience shows: keep it short!

Comment from @Paul_Rasmussen “could not agree more our sponser training is 1/2 day to a day maximum”

Comment from @andymurray01 “or even a series of breakfast briefings”

Comment from @Paul_Rasmussen “that is a really good idea is that how you run it”

Comment from @andymurray01 “Yes. Breakfast briefings work well, but is still subject to ‘no shows’ as other duties sometimes take priority.”

Q.4 An Introduction to PRINCE2 Managing and Directing Successful Project’s” Is it sufficient as reading Foundation material?

PRINCE2 Foundation: The Managing guide alone is sufficient reading for PRINCE2 foundation

PRINCE2 Foundation: Oops, I mis-read the question! No, the “Intro” guide is not sufficient reading in preparation for Foundation exam

PRINCE2 Foundation: The APMG website includes details on the PRINCE2 Found. Many training providers have e.g questions

Comment from @lianagr “For 2005 we are using are own (accredited) guide. We will use the 2009 official guide for the 2009 Foundation.”

Comment from @andymurray01 “Some ATOs say that their training material is sufficient to get someone to pass the foundation exam. The Intro guide isn’t tho”

Q.5  Have you been leading on the update to PRINCE2? I’m on the old edition! Is it worth getting the new book?

Buying new books: Yes please do (& no, I’m not on commission)! Hard copy is available now, PDF sometime this month, an e-book later

Buying new book: PRINCE2 2009 is more than a new book, but a new method. You need to plan how you might transition existing projects

Buying new book: I should correct, ‘new method’ should read ‘revised method’

Q.6 Is the principle “tailor” aimed to accomodate environmental factors / risks / project context?

Tailoring: The tailoring principle is asimed at the environmental factors, but also covers the project factors.

Tailoring: The environmental factors include aspects such as whether the project is part of a programme or stand-alone.

Tailoring: Project factors include aspects such as the capability of the project team

Tailioring: Environmental factors are external to the project, project factors are internal. Both influence the way PRINCE2 is tailored

Q.7 Back to Directing a Project: What’s the top three things sponsors will be pleased to see in P2:2009?

Sponsors Top 3: #1 must be that they have their own guide. No longer any need for them to refer to one chapter in a 457 page guide!

Sponsors top 3: #2 is guidance on what PMs expect of the Project Board and what the PB can expect of the PM in return.

Sponsors top 3: #3 More guidance on the corporate context and in particular the treatment of benefits (including post-project ones)

Q.8 Practical question: is there any change in the 3 specific techniques in PRINCE2?

Techniques. Product based planning is far less prescriptive – e.g. no rules on how to do a PBS as format is personal preference

Techniques: Quality Review Technique is also less prescriptive, but essentially the same

Techniques: Change Control Technique is not treated as a technique any more but is part of the “Issue and change control procedure”

Techniques: We’ve tried to align PRINCE2 treatment of issues and changes to that in the APM BoK

To take part in future live events you can follow one of us on Twitter:

You can connect directly with Andy via: www.twitter.com/andymurray01 and also the Camel at: www.twitter.com/projectmgmt. You can also join the PRINCE2 community on Twitter at: http://www.twibes.com/group/PRINCE2

If you’re not a Twitter-er, the conversation threads always appear live on this page , the PRINCE2:2009 Twitter hour will also be available on the blog after the event – like the article you’re reading now

The PRINCE2:2009 Twitter Hour is a great way to get the lowdown on PRINCE2:2009 in handy bitesize chunks, so if you have a question about PRINCE2:2009 leave a comment and we’ll make sure it features in the Twitter Hour

• PRINCE:2009 Twitter Hour – Live
• PRINCE2 2009 Q&A Twitter and Blog Hour
• Best Practice Showcase – June 09
• “To PRINCE2 or not to PRINCE2″ Outcome to the Debate
• It happens in other walks of life too!
• Further information on PRINCE2
• PRINCE2: 2009 Project™, are we ready?
• Spot the difference!
• To PRINCE2 or not to PRINCE2 – the debate
• Project Management Guidance – The Lowdown

Run Away! (And Other Helpful Advice For A Career in Project Management)

Posted on | July 2, 2009 | Author: | Josh Nankivel | No Comments

Run Away! by Cirofono via Flickr

I am passionate about project management in general, and helping people new to the field more specifically.

But let’s be honest. We’re all nuts.

Not Everyone Should Be a Project Manager

There is a specific form of gluttony for punishment that comes with the territory (some consider it a clinical condition). The decision to head down the project manager career path should not be taken lightly.

When I started out, there was a specific resonance I felt as I learned more about the role of a project manager. Everything I had really enjoyed about my previous positions seemed to be a part of this crazy thing called project management.

“You’ve got to ask yourself one question: ‘Do I feel lucky?’ Well, do ya punk?” – Dirty Harry (1971)

Hmmmm….actually I’m going to ask 2 questions instead. And maybe some sub-questions…what the heck. Being a contrarian is just part of my personality… though, it’s not a “desired skill” for project managers. Especially not when you are contradicting a quote you picked yourself like I just did. See what project manager employment does to you after awhile? Koo Koo…Koo Koo

Do You Fit In?

Those shiny, flashy careers in project management may seem inviting, but do you really have a passion for this kind of work? Does your personality lend itself to the type of work?

Do you like working with people? I don’t mean like social work, (although I might have something there) I mean being able to relay technical concepts to business people and get geeks excited about what upper management wants. You need to understand “Projects are about humans,” as the Project Shrink says. The importance of communication in project management has become a cliché, but nonetheless, it’s true. You need to do it effectively and fearlessly.

Are you passionate about this stuff? I really enjoy the process of creating something that never existed before. Even if it is not a tangible, physical product it is very rewarding for me to be able to think about what we did as a team. I love process improvement and change. That’s one reason why out of the various project management careers out there (project manager, business analyst, project controller, program manager, etc.) I chose to be a project manager.

Do You Like Challenge? (Glutton for Punishment Helps)

One of the great things about project management is that at least once a week someone starts running around the place wildly yelling “My hair is on fire! My hair is on fire! My hair is on fire!”

Seriously though, I can’t even smell burnt hair anymore.

Do you like thinking about a project from every possible angle? Because that is what you will need to do in order to be effective. The customer, the team, the sponsor, external stakeholders…they all have to be happy. You need to be able to change shoes every 10 minutes or so. The nature of projects is changing requirements and approaches as you go, so there will always be situations where you are the hostage negotiator that has to make everyone come out alive and feeling happy.

Do you thrive on change? The idea that a project plan is finalized and then very little changes from there is a fantasy… a theoretical construct that only lives in the pages of your project management textbook.

This doesn’t mean you throw your hands up in the air and let chaos rule… but it does mean that effective change management needs to be a key strength. Uncertainty and change happen, and it is all in how you deal with it (and anticipate it) that makes the difference.

What other questions should someone ask themselves before jumping into the alligator pit?

Who Is Josh Nankivel?

I am the founder of pmStudent.com, a site dedicated to helping new and aspiring project managers succeed.

Learn more about project manager careers right now with my free eBook and newsletter!

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