PRINCE2 Foundation Study Notes
Module 2: Overview of PRINCE2 Project Management
Syllabus
1. Understand key concepts relating to project and PRINCE2:
1.1. Recall key concepts related to project management:
a) The definition of a project and project management (1.3).
b) The aspects of project performance to be managed (1.3.2).
c) The definition of the integrated elements of PRINCE2 – principles, people, practices,
processes, and the project context (1.2, Fig 1.1).
d) The definition of delivery approaches – iterative, linear, hybrid (1.4.3).
1.2. Describe key concepts related to project management:
a) The characteristics of a project (1.3.1).
b) The common reasons why project management is used (1.2.2).
c) The common challenges that PRINCE2 is designed to address (1.2.2).
d) The features and benefits of PRINCE2.
e) Projects in context/project environment (1.4 excl. 1.4.3).
2. Understand how the PRINCE2 principles underpin the PRINCE2 method:
2.1. Explain the PRINCE principles:
Continued business justification, learn from experience, defined roles and responsibilities,
manage by stages, manage by exception, focus on products, tailor to suit the project. (2.1-
2.7)
2.2. Explain how and why the principles provide the basis of applying PRINCE2, and which factors
influence the way the PRINCE2 method can be tailored and applied, who is responsible and
how tailoring decisions are documented. (Section 2, Ref 2.7, fig 2.1).
Lessons Learned
- Definitions and characteristics of a project
- What makes a project a PRINCE2 Project
- Features and benefits of PRINCE2
- The role of project management
- The seven aspects of project performance to be managed
- The PRINCE2 principles
- The integrated elements of PRINCE2
- Overview of PRINCE2 processes
- The user/supplier context
- Applying and tailoring PRINCE2
,What is a project?
A temporary organization that is created for the purpose of delivering one or more
business products according to an agreed business case
- Organisations must balance ongoing business operations with transforming ones to survive
and thrive
- Pace of change accelerating means penalties for failing to adapt to change become more
evident, and the need to strike the right balance increases
- Projects introduce change, and unlike ongoing operations, have start/end dates and
deliverables.
Characteristics of a project
Cross-
functional
Uncertainty Change
Project
Temporary Unique
- Several characteristics distinguish projects from ‘business-as-usual’ work.
- Projects introduce change and are temporary, with a define start and end, no matter the
duration.
- Projects should involve a multi-skilled team working cross-functionally.
- Each project will be unique:
o Different teams
o Customers
o Products
, o Locations
- Projects always introduce uncertainty that are not encountered during usual business:
o Threats
o Opportunities
Topics not included in PRINCE2
Specialist Detailed
Aspects Techniques
- Two broad topics not in scope for PRINCE2
- Specialist aspects are not included because:
o PRINCE2 is generic
o Excludes industry or type-specific activity
- Detailed techniques are not described in PRINCE2 because:
o These are well documented somewhere
o Examples:
▪ Critical path analysis in planning
▪ Estimating
▪ Risk identification
▪ Earned value analysis
Module 2: Overview of PRINCE2 Project Management
Syllabus
1. Understand key concepts relating to project and PRINCE2:
1.1. Recall key concepts related to project management:
a) The definition of a project and project management (1.3).
b) The aspects of project performance to be managed (1.3.2).
c) The definition of the integrated elements of PRINCE2 – principles, people, practices,
processes, and the project context (1.2, Fig 1.1).
d) The definition of delivery approaches – iterative, linear, hybrid (1.4.3).
1.2. Describe key concepts related to project management:
a) The characteristics of a project (1.3.1).
b) The common reasons why project management is used (1.2.2).
c) The common challenges that PRINCE2 is designed to address (1.2.2).
d) The features and benefits of PRINCE2.
e) Projects in context/project environment (1.4 excl. 1.4.3).
2. Understand how the PRINCE2 principles underpin the PRINCE2 method:
2.1. Explain the PRINCE principles:
Continued business justification, learn from experience, defined roles and responsibilities,
manage by stages, manage by exception, focus on products, tailor to suit the project. (2.1-
2.7)
2.2. Explain how and why the principles provide the basis of applying PRINCE2, and which factors
influence the way the PRINCE2 method can be tailored and applied, who is responsible and
how tailoring decisions are documented. (Section 2, Ref 2.7, fig 2.1).
Lessons Learned
- Definitions and characteristics of a project
- What makes a project a PRINCE2 Project
- Features and benefits of PRINCE2
- The role of project management
- The seven aspects of project performance to be managed
- The PRINCE2 principles
- The integrated elements of PRINCE2
- Overview of PRINCE2 processes
- The user/supplier context
- Applying and tailoring PRINCE2
,What is a project?
A temporary organization that is created for the purpose of delivering one or more
business products according to an agreed business case
- Organisations must balance ongoing business operations with transforming ones to survive
and thrive
- Pace of change accelerating means penalties for failing to adapt to change become more
evident, and the need to strike the right balance increases
- Projects introduce change, and unlike ongoing operations, have start/end dates and
deliverables.
Characteristics of a project
Cross-
functional
Uncertainty Change
Project
Temporary Unique
- Several characteristics distinguish projects from ‘business-as-usual’ work.
- Projects introduce change and are temporary, with a define start and end, no matter the
duration.
- Projects should involve a multi-skilled team working cross-functionally.
- Each project will be unique:
o Different teams
o Customers
o Products
, o Locations
- Projects always introduce uncertainty that are not encountered during usual business:
o Threats
o Opportunities
Topics not included in PRINCE2
Specialist Detailed
Aspects Techniques
- Two broad topics not in scope for PRINCE2
- Specialist aspects are not included because:
o PRINCE2 is generic
o Excludes industry or type-specific activity
- Detailed techniques are not described in PRINCE2 because:
o These are well documented somewhere
o Examples:
▪ Critical path analysis in planning
▪ Estimating
▪ Risk identification
▪ Earned value analysis
