Principles of Frameworks

Understanding PRINCE2 Framework

CONSISTS OF:

7 Principles

7 Themes

7 Lifecycles

Principles

  • The topic discusses the importance of adhering to principles within a framework.

  • Principles are essential guidelines that govern practices and methodologies in various contexts, including programming, development, or organizational structures.

  • Failing to follow these principles can lead to a breakdown of the framework's effectiveness.

  • A PRINCE2 Project is divided into management stages which are set bythe Project Board. The Project Board decide whether a project should continue or end prematurely.

7 Principles

  1. Continued Business Justification

  2. Learn from Experience: write them down

  3. Defined Roles and Responsibilities

  4. Manage by stages

  5. Manage by exception: defined tolerances for each project objective to establish limits of delegated authority

  6. Focus on Product

  7. Tailor to suit the project

  • Clear roles and responsibilities: Each team member must understand their responsibilities to ensure accountability and efficient workflow.

  • Focus on business justification: Projects should continuously evaluate whether they align with organizational goals and provide tangible benefits.

  • Learn from experience: Incorporating lessons learned from past projects helps improve processes and prevent recurring issues.

  • Framework Definition: A framework refers to a foundational structure that provides a basis for developing something. It acts as a guide or scaffold for operations and processes.

  • Principles of a Framework:

    • They serve as core tenets that shape the intended use and outcomes of the framework.

    • They dictate the organization of the elements within the framework and the interactions between them.

  • Consequences of Not Following Principles:

    • Ignoring framework principles can lead to inconsistencies and inefficiencies in outcomes.

    • It can undermine the purpose of the framework and can result in failed implementations.

    • The absence of adherence to these principles results in a lack of uniformity and reliability.

Practical Implications

  • Practitioners must commit to understanding and upholding these principles to ensure successful outcomes when utilizing a specific framework.

  • Regular training and refreshers on framework principles can help maintain adherence among teams and individuals

  • , thereby fostering a culture of continuous improvement and elevating overall project performance.

7 Themes of PRINCE 2

  1. Business Case: Justifies the project and ensures its benefits are realized. It also ensures that the project remains a viable investment. It will also include Time and cost of the project

  2. Organization: Defines the project structure, roles, and communication approach.

  3. Quality: Specifies the quality management approach and acceptance criteria for the final product(s).

  4. Plans: Recommends different levels of planning to facilitate communication and control. Levels of Plans are Project (High Level) Plan - which should show how the business case will be achieved, Stage plan - which should show how the project plan will be achieved, and the optional Team Plan.

  5. Risk: Defines the approach for identifying, assessing, and controlling project risks.

  6. Change: Defines the approach for managing issues and changes.

  7. Progress: Defines how project progress is measured and monitored against performance targets.

How to Differentiate between Themes and Principles.

Principles have 3 syllables and so all PRINCE2 Principles have 3 words, while Themes have 1-2 words!