PRINCE:2009 Twitter Hour – Live

Posted on | June 19, 2009 | Author: | lindsayascott | No Comments

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Thanks to everyone who took part in the PRINCE2:2009 Twitter Hour this morning. Andy Murray the lead author for the refresh, provided the answers to a number of PRINCE2 questions put to him by readers of the blog and also members of the PM Twitter community

If you missed it, here are the questions and (extended) answers from Andy:

Question 1 – what is PRINCE2 anyway?

PRINCE2 stands for “PRojects In Controlled Environments”. It is a project management method – describing who, what, when, why (not how)

PRINCE2 is a generic method that can be applied to any type of project. It doesn’t describe ‘how’ as PM techniques are project specific (e.g there are numerous techniques for estimating-which one works best depends on the project context)

Question 2 – What benefits are gained from separating the manuals into two? And who should each be for?

The manuals have not been ’separated’ into two. Instead the ‘Directing’ guide has been added. Surveys show that project board participation plays a key role in project success. They now have role specific guidance to help

Question 3 – What are the significant changes?

2 guides instead of 1 – a guide for those who direct/sponsor projects and a guide for those who manage/work on projects

Addition of 7 principles which define what constitutes a PRINCE2 ProjectPrinciple 1 – a PRINCE2 project has continued business justification
Principle 2 – PRINCE2 project teams learn from previous experience
Principle 3 – A PRINCE2 project has defined roles and responsibilities
Principle 4 – A PRINCE2 project is managed by stages
Principle 5 – A PRINCE2 project is managed by exception
Principle 6 – A PRINCE2 project focuses on the definition and delivery of products
Principle 7 – PRINCE2 is tailored to suit the project environment

It is less prescriptive, e.g. no sub-process codes, therefore requires more judgement in how to apply it

More guidance on benefits

The “time, cost, quality” control now extended to include risk, scope and benefits

Fewer management products (26 instead of 36)

Improved linkages with other OGC products (MSP,M_o_R, P3O)

Question 4 – Drivers for change

6 month public consultation on what people liked/disliked about PRINCE2 (170 organisations involved)

Research on project management (re-thinking Project Management) challenged traditional approaches

Desire to make the set of OGC frameworks and methods an integrated set (MSP and M_o_R)

Do you think PRINCE2:2009 Practitioners will be seen as more favourable than PRINCE2 Practitioners?

The foundation/practitioner certificates do not distinguish between the PRINCE2 version the exam is based on

It is my opinion that the improvements to PRINCE2 2009 will help practitioners deliver better projects

Question 6 – So the question “Do I need to retake my PRINCE2 exams (did them 2 years ago)?”, answer is no?

PRINCE2 exams need to be re-taken between 3 – 5 years (same as before). There will not be a bridging qualification

Question 7 – Does anyone know when the new manuals will be available in PDF format?

TSO has advised that the PDF versions of the PRINCE2 2009 publications will be available some time in July

Question 8 – Thanks. our hour is nearly up – last question – Will PRINCE2:2009 stop PINO (PRINCE in Name Only) only?

The principles (Chapter 2) and project environment (Chapter 19) will help prevent PINO and PRIZE as the emphasis is on applying appropriate control

By the way PRIZE = PRINCE2 Zealout. The person who applies it in full for every type of project (just as bad as PINO!)

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

Andy Murray is the lead author of the new PRINCE2:2009, he’s also the director of Outperform UK Ltd, a management consultancy helping clients improve their bid, project and programme management performance through the practical application of structured methods.