PRINCE2 is a structured approach to project management. In PRINCE2, all project deliverables are called products. PRINCE2 focuses on the definition and delivery of all products in a project, in particular their quality requirements.
The outputs are an agreed set of products that define the scope of the project and provide the basis for planning and control.
PRINCE2 establishes rules called "approaches" to coordinate people and activities, design product delivery supervision, and manage scope adjustments. Each PRINCE2 process is specified with its key inputs and outputs and with specific goals and activities. PRINCE2 provides a common language for all participants in the project.
Five Integrated Elements
PRINCE2 7th edition is built on five integrated elements:
- People — the skills, behaviours and competencies needed to lead and work in projects effectively
- Seven Principles — continued business justification, learn from experience, defined roles and responsibilities, manage by stages, manage by exception, focus on products, tailored to suit the project context
- Seven Practices — business case, organization, quality, plans, risk, change, progress
- Seven Processes — guiding the project from start-up through to closure
- Project Context — how PRINCE2 is tailored to fit the organisation, sector, scale, and commercial environment of each project
Seven Performance Dimensions
PRINCE2 is an acronym for Projects IN Controlled Environments. In PRINCE2, the Project Manager's role is to plan, delegate, monitor and control seven manageable aspects:
- Cost
- Timescales
- Quality
- Scope
- Risk
- Benefits
- Sustainability
Scope and Flexibility
PRINCE2 does not give any guidance on specialist work like engineering models, or detailed techniques like critical path analysis. As PRINCE2 is not a product development methodology, it can be used in combination with both waterfall and Agile based approaches.
PRINCE2 Certifications
Two primary training levels exist: PRINCE2 Foundation and PRINCE2 Practitioner. The Foundation exam confirms you have sufficient knowledge to work effectively within a PRINCE2 project team. The Practitioner exam confirms you can apply and tailor PRINCE2 in real project scenarios.
PRINCE2 vs PMBOK
PMBOK is knowledge-based with focus on the project management role and the tools, techniques and best practices. PRINCE2, on the other hand, is based on a set of principles, covers the complete governance model of a project, and is process-oriented.
The Business Case practice and the Organization practice are among the areas where PRINCE2 provides particularly strong structure. Learn more on the PRINCE2 versus PMBOK page.
Common Misunderstandings
PRINCE2 is sometimes misunderstood in three key ways:
- "PRINCE2 is rigid and bureaucratic" — In fact, Project Context is one of the five integrated elements of PRINCE2 — tailoring to the specific environment is built into the method.
- "PRINCE2 is a one-size-fits-all solution" — PRINCE2 must always be adapted to the specific nature and complexity of the project.
- "PRINCE2 requires a lot of documentation" — PRINCE2 recommends only the minimum documentation necessary to support decision-making.
How to Avoid Overcomplication
- Understand principles, practices, and processes and their interrelationships
- Understand People, Principles, Practices, Processes, and Project Context as integrated elements — not a checklist
- Focus on purpose and benefits rather than methodological adherence
- Use only the documentation that is necessary for decision-making
- Communicate effectively with stakeholders and manage expectations
- Review performance and apply lessons learned
New to PRINCE2? Try the PRINCE2 in 1 Hour guide — a structured overview you can complete in about an hour.