BlogWell, this is it, folks. Today the first class of PRINCE2: 2009 sat their PRINCE2 Foundation exam with 100% pass-rate with Knowledge Train. Congratulations to all the students on their hard work and enthusiasm tackling the new PRINCE2 manual and examination.
The new PRINCE2 Foundation course turned out to be an interesting few days. One of the key concerns of the first PRINCE2: 2009 class was the extent to which senior management staff ‘buy in’ to the PRINCE2 project management methodology. Without the support of senior figures within the organisation, PRINCE2 will never get properly off the ground. Resultant problems, according to the class, include:
- Failure to fulfil ‘directing a project’ responsibilities (e.g. provide advice, decisions and support as and when required)
- Senior management attempt to exert too much control over the day-to-day running of the project (i.e. they take over the project manager’s responsibilities)
- Unrealistic expectations of what the project manager is able to achieve
- Focus shifts from business justification to the individual requirements of senior management figures
- PRINCE2 is expected to ‘deliver’ successful projects on its own, without investment in tailoring and integrating the method to the organisation.
Fortunately, one of the new aspects of PRINCE2: 2009 is an increased focus on the function and responsibilities of the Project Board, presented in a separate PRINCE2 manual, Directing Successful Projects with PRINCE2. The new Directing Successful Projects guidebook is intended to help senior management staff who do not have or need an extensive knowledge of the PRINCE2 project management method, but who do need a basic overview of PRINCE2 in order to support their project management teams.
Not only is there a new PRINCE2 manual specifically for those involved in directing a project, but the APMG has suggested that it may also release a course and a professional qualification based on the Directing Successful Project guidance.
Project managers and project management team members are not the only people who require PRINCE2 training. In order to ensure that PRINCE2 is applied to its greatest advantage, the senior management staff responsible for managing the project managers also need to understand and support the PRINCE2 methodology.
Tags: PRINCE2 2009, PRINCE2 course
