Often people want to know which tool or software should be used when applying PRINCE2 to a project.
The answer to this question can be quite tricky as there is no unique definite answer.
There are many tools available, from pen and paper to the most sophisticated networkable collaborative application.
This choice is often made by the company’s quality and systems department who has decided once and for all on the tool of choice (mainly because had a good deal or a good price for a large number of licenses and not because it fits the company’s requirements…).
You really need to see the needs for the particular project you are working on more than which tool is available to you.
In fact, if the tool is a hindrance to you, change it as quickly as you can to adopt a more flexible solution. In some cases, management will expect the use of certain tools and you then have to comply to their expectations.
A simple rule though, keep your reporting simple and to the point. Remain flexible and use as many generic tools as you can.
This way you will be able to drive your project and not administer it.
The role of a project manager is to ensure the project is done (on Time, on Cost and on Quality …) not that it is beautifully documented.
If documentation is a requirement, ask for some project support to assist you.
john higham
Soon there will be a french version of the manual.
Currently, we expect there will be a french manual available early February, but that can still change at this stage.
A couple of very good signs however is that an ISBN number has been allocated for the manual and that there is some intensive pre-production work going on.
I’ll keep you informed as i’m told of progress.
take care and keep in touch,
john higham
Technorati Tags: manual, prince2, project management
Hi, i’ve been working on my LinkedIn profile.
if you are interested, you can find it here.
take care and keep in touch,
john higham
Hi to all, it’s been a while since i’ve added content to my site.
To be fair i’ve been pretty busy last year and this year seems to be going in the same direction.
I ended the year with a great landmark as I passed the mark of 1000 people trained since i started training PRINCE2.
That makes me very happy.
PRINCE2 is also growing nicely in France and this year will mark a definite growth of the french market.
In fact we are not far away from a french version of the manual being printed.
I’ll keep you informed.
Have a great year 2008 full of great projects.
Take care and keep in touch.
john higham
A lot of people have asked me to make my PRINCE2 available.
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john higham
I have been asked to jot down a few Do’s and Don’ts about project management. I have enlarged this slightly to include the implementation of a structured project management method and a look at what benefits some users feel they have obtained.
DO remember that projects are about change. A quote from John Barnfield of Reading Borough Council in a recent article about a project case study is, “Change frightens people and they need to understand what you are doing, why you are doing it and how it affects them.”
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With over 15 years Project Management experience, and some years being an assessor and examinor for the method, John Higham has now also become an approved PRINCE2 trainer.
Many thanks to CUPE Ltd ATO (Accredited Training Organisation) for sponsoring him to become an approved trainer and many many special thanks to Sheila Roberts for her moral support, motivation and encouragements.
In fact, John Higham is now the first approved PRINCE2 trainer based in France where he will spend whole his energy bringing the methodology into the french marketplace.
John Higham is currently finalising a couple of books on the method, mainly aimed at those who are registered practitioners and who want to improve their experience and use of the method in a real project environment.
PRINCE2® is a Registered Trade Mark of the OGC in the United Kingdom and other countries.
PRINCE2 is owned by the British government (i.e. it is owned by The Office of Government Commerce, part of the Treasury Department). It is part of its recommended ‘Best Practice’ for all types of project. So why are there government projects that either fail or could have been performed much more efficiently and effectively?
First, one has to realize that PRINCE2 is recommended, not mandated. There is an English saying that ‘you can lead a horse to water, but you can’t make it drink’. Similarly, although PRINCE2 is available to them, not all government projects make use of it. When we look at establishments which either have or had close ties to government, such as police departments, public utilities (water, electricity, railways), we find PRINCE2 adopted and many very successful projects being the result. But in government there are many departments that don’t currently use the method.
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